June 5, 2011 – Numbers 17

So not even a day after people were punished for going against Moses and the Lord, people again rose up against Moses. When they gave their staffs, did they really think that it was not going to be Aaron’s staff. It is interesting that the sensors that were used by those that were punished were still sacred because they were put in front of the Lord. And they were used to cover the Ark to show, I think, not only a reminder for what happens when you defy the Lord, but as a sign that God can take what is offered, even if for evil or improper purposes, can be used for good. I think this maybe a two edge sword when dealing with people. Although people do see that God can punish those that go against Him, people also see the good things can come of it and so are tempted to push the envelope. We go about pushing the envelope, going as far as we think we can without crossing that line, in order to get what we want. We may even have the best of intentions when we do it, but God is firm in that He wants us to follow His commands. Just because He can make good use of our mistakes in spite of us, does not mean that He wants us to push the envelope. He would much rather us just go along with what He commands in the first place.