Num. 16 [The Message]

A rebellious faction openly disputed the leadership of Moses and Aaron. They challenged Moses by implying that God spoke to them like He did to Moses. This was not true. God validated His leadership choice of Moses and Aaron by opening the ground and swallowing up the rebels, all their families, and their belongings. EVERYONE KNEW who God had approved after this horrific display of God’s power. It was a vivid lesson they could never forget.

I recall having a similar, unjustified irritation against my spiritual mentor. For me, it was an open distaste for some of his harmless idiosyncrasies. I opened my big mouth and verbalized my frustration in front of others under his authority. It seems that I was immediately stricken with a horrible bellyache. I remember suffering all evening. It dawned on me that it was a chastisement from the Lord for the way I had neglected to honor him in front of others. God laid it upon my heart to acknowledge my sin one Sunday evening in front of the entire church … about 4-500 … and ask forgiveness. Personally I will NEVER forget that lesson in honoring spiritual leaders.