Warning Sign
Today’s Verse:
And the sons of Eliab; Nemuel, and Dathan, and Abiram. This is that Dathan and Abiram, which were famous in the congregation, who strove against Moses and against Aaron in the company of Korah, when they strove against the LORD: And the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed them up together with Korah, when that company died, what time the fire devoured two hundred and fifty men: and they became a sign. ~Numbers 26:9-10
When driving, are you good at reading the signs? We have various road signs that we must be familiar with for the protection of ourselves, other drivers, and pedestrians. All of them are various, obvious directions, such as stopping, yielding, railroad crossing, school crossing, double lanes becoming single lanes, and more. This morning, we read a sobering message about two famous men who became a warning sign.
We see the discord.
“This is that Dathan and Abiram, which were famous in the congregation, who strove against Moses and against Aaron in the company of Korah, when they strove against the LORD.” Dathan and Abiram were descendants of Reuben who attained great influence in their tribe. They had enough of Moses’ leadership and took sides with Korah in striving against Moses. Discord is when there is strong disagreement and the parties involved cannot resolve their issues. Discord is a clash of personalities over beliefs, preferences, leadership, and decision making. Discord against spiritual leadership appointed by God is also discord against God.
We see the division.
By taking sides, Dathan and Abiram caused a division and rift in the camp of Israel. Much divisiveness is due to pride and an unwillingness to submit to and be at peace with one another. Division is driven by strong emotional anger, bitterness, and a desire to conduct a hostile takeover. Divisiveness is branded as heresy and is displeasing to God. James said that where there is envying and strife, there is confusion and every evil work. We must detect if envying and strife is in our hearts and, if so, glory not and lie not against the truth.
We see the destruction.
“And the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed them up together with Korah, when that company died, what time the fire devoured two hundred and fifty men.” These rebels were met with sudden destruction from God. Just as bitter envying consumed these rebellious men, the earth opened up beneath them and swallowed them up. Sins of strife, envying, jealousy, bitterness, and vengeance will always swallow us up. Our testimony and credibility are ruined, and we put ourselves on the shelf of uselessness. It was a very tense time in the camp, but God vindicated Moses and Aaron, and He restored sameness and sanity by His act of judgment.
We see the discretion.
The closing in these verses says “and they became a sign.” These rebels became a warning to the present and future generations that God has zero tolerance for strife and discord. Lot’s wife was turned into a pillar of salt and became a warning sign. The broken walls of Jericho are a warning sign. The shorelines where Israel crossed the Red Sea are a warning sign. The cross upon which Jesus died is a warning sign. It is a warning that if Jesus is rejected as Saviour, the cross will declare every unbelieving sinner as guilty to spend all of eternity in Hell. So, watch the warning signs. Don’t cross where you are not supposed to go.
Have a cautious God Morning!
Bible Reading Schedule: Mark 4-5