Insightful Musings on the Scriptures
by
Raymond P. Sparre
Northwest University class of '67
Greetings, dear ones.
Happy Valentine’s Day! My Valentine and I did a walk/jog this morning. It seems like about a week since we’ve been without complications to prevent it.
I need to get out and make a bunch of sawdust (run the sawmill). I made a bunch yesterday. Thankfully, there is no rain at present and it looks like a dry day. But I mustn’t hold my breath—this is Oregon!
Have a blessed day.
Love, Dad/Ray.
The magnitude of lesson material within Numbers 16 is overwhelming. I would rate it as a “must read” chapter amidst the many contained in the Bible. Please read it.
Here is a major difference that set Moses apart from those opposing him—“he fell facedown”—body language representing humility and total dependence upon the LORD—the demonstration of a HEART AFTER GOD. That’s still a very appropriate thing to do when facing trials, tribulations, and opposition. You can be sure the opposition wasn’t doing that.
So, why in the world was the opposition so eager to be involved in opposition? Along with the fact of man’s inherited NATURAL SIN NATURE, my Biblical overview causes me to believe that there was something very sinister, diabolical, and demonic going on behind the scenes—obvious by its symptoms—even though it is not mentioned at all in the narrative of these chapters. My view follows on the heels of the thesis that the Bible only allows for TWO KINGDOMS within the universe—they are spiritual in nature, yet possess abilities to affect and influence the physical world—including the psychology of humans. They are (a) the Sovereign Kingdom of God, and (b) the limited kingdom of Satan. The latter only exists by permission of the former and is indirectly subservient to Sovereign God by offering humans a choice. Both kingdoms are engaged in a permitted conflict of vying for ownership and control of human hearts. Therefore, when a person aligns himself with the Kingdom of God (by means of a HEART AFTER GOD), that person comes under the covering of His grace, protection, inspiration, and blessing. What option could be better?! But to resist Him and His Kingdom rule is to unwittingly open the door to powers and influences that are destructive and deadly. Read my lips—there are only TWO KINGDOMS.
This, for me, offers the only reasonable explanation for the beyond-belief stupidity and rebellion recorded in Numbers 16. It adds profound support to the truth that “rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry” (1 Samuel 15:23, KJV). Think carefully. Connect the dots. Furthermore, there is no other explanation for many of the bizarre issues confronting us in our own rebellious culture of today. Do you think this could be a good time to fall facedown?