Numbers 16:41-45: a reflection

41But on the next day all the congregation of the children of Israel complained against Moses and against Aaron, saying, “You have killed the LORD’s people!” 42When the congregation was assembled against Moses and against Aaron, they looked toward the Tent of Meeting. Behold, the cloud covered it, and the LORD’s glory appeared. 43Moses and Aaron came to the front of the Tent of Meeting. 44The LORD spoke to Moses, saying, 45“Get away from among this congregation, that I may consume them in a moment!” They fell on their faces.

The very day after God's judgment on Korah's rebellion, the people grumble again, this time blaming Moses and Aaron for the deaths: You have killed the LORD's people. God's glory appears, and he threatens to consume the whole rebellious congregation in a moment. But Moses and Aaron do not stand aside; they fall on their faces and, as the account goes on, act to stand between the people and the destruction, interceding for the very people who had just accused them. They stood in the gap for the undeserving, rebellious congregation.

Notice what Moses and Aaron did: they stood in the gap, interceding for the rebellious people. The congregation had rebelled, grumbled, accused Moses and Aaron falsely; they deserved judgment, and God threatened to consume them. Moses and Aaron might have stood aside, letting the judgment fall on those who had wronged them. But instead they fell on their faces and interceded, standing between the people and destruction, pleading for the very ones who had just accused them. They stood in the gap for the undeserving, interceding for those who had wronged them, that they might be spared.

That intercession is worth taking to heart, for we too can be called to stand in the gap for others, even the undeserving, even those who have wronged us. When others are in danger or under judgment, even those who have wronged us or do not deserve our help, we can stand aside, letting them face the consequences; but Moses and Aaron interceded for the rebellious people who had accused them. Do not stand aside when you could intercede for others, even the undeserving, even those who have wronged you; stand in the gap for them, as Moses and Aaron interceded for the rebellious congregation. Be willing to intercede for others, even those who do not deserve it or who have wronged you, standing in the gap for them as Moses and Aaron stood between the people and destruction; for such intercession, pleading for the undeserving, reflects the mercy of God, who himself stands in the gap for us who do not deserve it.

Lord, the very day after your judgment on Korah's rebellion, the people grumble again, this time blaming Moses and Aaron for the deaths: you have killed the LORD's people. Your glory appears, and you threaten to consume the whole rebellious congregation. But Moses and Aaron do not stand aside; they fall on their faces and act to stand between the people and the destruction, interceding for the very people who had just accused them. They stood in the gap for the undeserving congregation. Show me what Moses and Aaron did: they stood in the gap, interceding for the rebellious people. The congregation had rebelled, accused them falsely; they deserved judgment. Moses and Aaron might have stood aside, letting the judgment fall on those who had wronged them. But instead they interceded, standing between the people and destruction, pleading for the very ones who had accused them. They stood in the gap for the undeserving. Take that intercession to my heart, for I too can be called to stand in the gap for others, even the undeserving, even those who have wronged me. When others are in danger or under judgment, even those who have wronged me, I can stand aside; but Moses and Aaron interceded for the rebellious people. Keep me from standing aside when I could intercede for others, even the undeserving; help me stand in the gap for them, Lord, as Moses and Aaron interceded for the rebellious congregation. Help me be willing to intercede even for those who do not deserve it or who have wronged me.