Corona Devo 375

In high school I used to enjoy being a part of our musical each Spring. Please don't get any ideas that I was an actress or had a voice because neither are true, but I went to a tiny high school and so everyone always got a part.

I learned the importance of an understudy. This is an actor who learns another's lines and role in order to be able to replace them in case they are unable to perform. Like an insurance policy, an understudy is often not needed, but if necessary: the show could not go on without them.

As I am reading in the Book of Numbers about Moses and his leadership of the Israelites as they wandered in the wilderness and complained/were blessed and complained/witnessed the LORD's presence and complained, I began to wonder how Moses could put up with all of it? I get fed up with my kids and myself sometimes after say 40 minutes, let-alone 40 years like Moses!

But way beyond the patience that Moses had with the Israelites' lack-of-gratitude for God and their fickle-obedience to those God had placed in leadership--I am blown away by the consistent/continued/unwavering heart-of-forgiveness and driving-force-for-their-salvation that Moses perpetually kept for the Israelites.

Moses would not give up on them. And he would let God give up on them, either. There are repeated times where God is (justifiably) angry at the Israelites' behavior, sin and unfaithfulness (He is Holy!) and yet Moses repeatedly goes to bat for the Israelites. Often when they are busy defaming him to his face and behind his back. Who does that?

(41) But the very next morning the whole community of Israel began muttering again against Moses and Aaron, saying, “You have killed the Lord’s people!” (42) As the community gathered to protest against Moses and Aaron, they turned toward the Tabernacle and saw that the cloud had covered it, and the glorious presence of the Lord appeared.

(43) Moses and Aaron came and stood in front of the Tabernacle, (44) and the Lord said to Moses, (45) “Get away from all these people so that I can instantly destroy them!” But Moses and Aaron fell face down on the ground. ~Numbers 16:41-45 

SIDENOTE: God is holy. He detests sin, and in the Old Testament (before Jesus came on the scene), sacrifices were necessary to account for the people's sin. But beyond a "sacrifice on an altar" the other missing piece was Jesus Himself and the intermediary (go-between) that He became between us (and our sin) and a Holy God. If the Lord's "attitude" seems harsh it is because we have the privilege of Jesus coming and dying for our sin on the cross, and taking on our sin, which "cleansed us" and absolved us in God's eyes. Something had to be done about our sin because God is holy and cannot look upon it. And Jesus was that something. The "direct" nature of God that we witness in Numbers is a good reminder of how God feels when we are ungrateful, negative and question His will in our lives. But we do not experience God's wrath if we know and love Jesus, because He took all of it upon Himself at Calvary.

Back to scripture: when the whole community of Israel began muttering again (Numbers 16:41) God became frustrated with the Israelites lack-of-faith (again), and He desired to bring consequence.

I am blown away by the consistent/continued/unwavering heart-of-forgiveness and driving-force-for-their-salvation that Moses perpetually kept for the Israelites.

Over and over we can read of how the Israelites complained and defamed Moses, Aaron and God, and yet over and over we will find that Moses pleads to God for their forgiveness, mercy and grace.

And Moses said to Aaron, “Quick, take an incense burner and place burning coals on it from the altar. Lay incense on it, and carry it out among the people to purify them and make them right with the Lord. The Lord’s anger is blazing against them—the plague has already begun.”

47 Aaron did as Moses told him and ran out among the people. The plague had already begun to strike down the people, but Aaron burned the incense and purified the people. 48 He stood between the dead and the living, and the plague stopped. ~Numbers 16:46-48 

Moses was the intercessor between the sinful Israelites and our Holy Father.  He had continued and on-going ideas and methods to bring mercy to the Israelites and please God at the same time.  Here Moses' method was incense, but he had used persuasive rhetoric with God, and always begged for one-more-chance for the Israelites to rectify their selfish hearts.  Who does that?

Then I realized that Moses had been an "understudy" of sorts.  

He stood between the dead and the living, and the plague stopped. ~Numbers 16:48 

We do know someone who does that and did that for us, and for our repeated occurrences of shallow faith and self-focus.  Jesus Christ did that for us. 

Something had to be done about our sin because God is holy and cannot look upon it. And Jesus was that something.

The repetitive, enduring love that Moses had for the Israelites is an "understudy" role of the enduring love and continued going-to-bat-for-us that Jesus bestows on us each day.

Jesus is the lead role in forgiveness, faithfulness, and giving-others-the-chance-to-change. Moses was an excellent understudy.

But we are cast into that role as well. The script, lines and performance that we study under Jesus are what defines us as Christ-followers.

Today is opening night: break a leg!

Blessings,

sarah

https://sarahsundy04.blogspot.com