Welcome!
Passage: Numbers 16
Today: When we don’t stand up, satan will!
10 The Lord said to Moses, 11 “Phinehas son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron, the priest, has turned my anger away from the Israelites. Since he was as zealous for my honor among them as I am, I did not put an end to them in my zeal. 12 Therefore tell him I am making my covenant of peace with him. 13 He and his descendants will have a covenant of a lasting priesthood, because he was zealous for the honor of his God and made atonement for the Israelites.” (Numbers 16, NIV)
13 It was nearly time for the Jewish Passover celebration, so Jesus went to Jerusalem. 14 In the Temple area he saw merchants selling cattle, sheep, and doves for sacrifices; he also saw dealers at tables exchanging foreign money. 15 Jesus made a whip from some ropes and chased them all out of the Temple. He drove out the sheep and cattle, scattered the money changers’ coins over the floor, and turned over their tables. 16 Then, going over to the people who sold doves, he told them, “Get these things out of here. Stop turning my Father’s house into a marketplace!” (John 2, NLT)-emphasis added
When that which is evil happens inside the house/people of God, and when the responsible people just keep quiet, God will stand up and do what He’s supposed to do; that will be very bad! Many will suffer the consequences
The devil dilutes sin and feeds the people little by little, so that they get used to it; finally, he makes them “sleepy” with it; they loose sensitivity, and their eyes are closed. Anything and everything becomes OK, for leaders as well as laity. That is the situation of the church (in many cases) today!
Satan gives “poison” through various “diluted” teachings through leaders who he has a “grip” on; people take it as God’s word!
The church has just become a “market place” where people come to do their “business” and make various kinds of profits; God’s huge bill is on the way!
In the scriptures above, we see Phinehas, the grandson of Aaron the priest, getting up and doing something to STOP a plague that was spreading and killing the people. Phinehas was willing to take the blame! People just “die” when someone does not dare to stand up, take some “heat” and do what is to be done, to stop the “plague”. That is what is happening in most cases; people talk about it, but does nothing about it!
In the temple at Jerusalem, Jesus did a clean-up. The High priest and others were keeping quiet about what was going on, because they were also getting their “fair share” of the profit. God might wait upto a certain time, but when he steps in with the “whip”, its going to be too painful!
17 For it is time for judgment to begin with God’s household; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God? 18 And, “If it is hard for the righteous to be saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?”[a] (1 Peter 4, NIV)
It is time to stand more in the presence of God; but it is also time to stand up and speak up, when we see the wrong thing in the right place, as we see in Esther
For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?” (Esther 4:14, NIV)
Have a blessed day
BG
Reflect: Am I keeping quiet when God wants me to stand up/speak up?
Prayer: Lord Jesus, help me to stand in the gap, between the living and the dead, to intercede and stop the wrath of God; also, help me to stand up for the truth and speak/act right when I have to, because that is what you did, and I am yours. Amen