Okay, the title is quirky! But did it get your attention? God has a strange way of getting our attention sometimes, doesn’t he? This passage is one of those times. There is grumbling in the camp of Israel (so what’s new?!). The point of this chapter is for God to show the children of Israel that Aaron’s authority is greater than that of the leaders of the ancestral tribes of Israel.

Why is it that we have so much trouble with authority? One of the things that I teach our congregation at Blake’s Chapel is that we are all under the authority of someone. As an example, I tell them that as a pastor, when I am visiting another congregation, for whatever reason, while I am there I am under that pastor’s authority. He is the shepherd of that flock. I am to do nothing or act in any manner as to undermine the position that God has called him to. If anything, I should affirm his place.

Do you have trouble submitting to godly authority? If so, why? Why? Do you know that when we resist godly authority or leadership, we are rebelling against God? I am not talking about dictatorial leadership. I am talking about leadership that God has placed before us to fulfill his will in our presence. 

God, help me to trust you and trust those that you have given the responsibility of carrying out your work.

Steve Spearing

Extended Scripture: Numbers 16–19