Numbers 16:41-45
Numbers 16:41-45
On the next day all the congregation of the children of Israel
complained against Moses and Aaron, saying, "You have killed the
people of the Lord." Now it happened, when the congregation had
gathered against Moses and Aaron, that they turned toward the
tabernacle of meeting; and suddenly the cloud covered it, and the
glory of the Lord appeared. Then Moses and Aaron came before the
tabernacle of meeting. And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, "Get
away from among this congregation, that I may consume them in a
moment.“ And they fell on their faces.
Man’s Treatment of God
1. “Panic button”
This view is simple, one treats God like one often
treats their insurance. They don’t think much about God until
they need Him.
Man’s Treatment of God
Because I have called and you refused, I have stretched out my
hand and no one regarded, Because you disdained all my
counsel, And would have none of my rebuke, I also will laugh
at your calamity; I will mock when your terror comes, When
your terror comes like a storm, And your destruction comes like
a whirlwind, When distress and anguish come upon you. "Then
they will call on me, but I will not answer; They will seek me
diligently, but they will not find me.
Man’s Treatment of God
Because they hated knowledge And did not choose the fear of
the Lord, They would have none of my counsel And despised
my every rebuke. Therefore they shall eat the fruit of their own
way, And be filled to the full with their own fancies.
- Proverbs 1:24-31
Man’s Treatment of God
Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer
persecution. – 2 Timothy 3:12
pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the
will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
- 1 Thessalonians 5:17-18
Man’s Treatment of God
1. “Panic button”
2. “I deserve better”
Man’s Treatment of God
Now when the people complained, it displeased the Lord; for
the Lord heard it, and His anger was aroused. So the fire of the
Lord burned among them, and consumed some in the outskirts
of the camp. Then the people cried out to Moses, and when
Moses prayed to the Lord, the fire was quenched. So he called
the name of the place Taberah, because the fire of the Lord had
burned among them.
Man’s Treatment of God
Now the mixed multitude who were among them yielded to
intense craving; so the children of Israel also wept again and
said: "Who will give us meat to eat? We remember the fish
which we ate freely in Egypt, the cucumbers, the melons, the
leeks, the onions, and the garlic; but now our whole being is
dried up; there is nothing at all except this manna before our
eyes!" Now the manna was like coriander seed, and its color
like the color of bdellium.
Man’s Treatment of God
The people went about and gathered it, ground it on millstones
or beat it in the mortar, cooked it in pans, and made cakes of it;
and its taste was like the taste of pastry prepared with oil. And
when the dew fell on the camp in the night, the manna fell on it.
- Numbers 11:1-9
Man’s Treatment of God
Now a wind went out from the Lord, and it brought quail from
the sea and left them fluttering near the camp, about a day's
journey on this side and about a day's journey on the other side,
all around the camp, and about two cubits above the surface of
the ground. And the people stayed up all that day, all night, and
all the next day, and gathered the quail (he who gathered least
gathered ten homers); and they spread them out for themselves
all around the camp.
Man’s Treatment of God
But while the meat was still between their teeth, before it was
chewed, the wrath of the Lord was aroused against the people,
and the Lord struck the people with a very great plague.
- Numbers 11:31-33
Man’s Treatment of God
1. “Panic button”
2. “I deserve”
3. “Unfaithful”
Man’s Treatment of God
Oh, give thanks to the Lord! Call upon His name; Make known
His deeds among the peoples! Sing to Him, sing psalms to Him;
Talk of all His wondrous works! Glory in His holy name; Let
the hearts of those rejoice who seek the Lord! Seek the Lord
and His strength; Seek His face evermore! Remember His
marvelous works which He has done, His wonders, and the
judgments of His mouth, - Psalm 105:1-5
Man’s Treatment of God
For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments.
And His commandments are not burdensome.
- 1 John 5:3
What Our Actions Say to God
1. You are not important in our lives
What Our Actions Say to God
So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He
created him; male and female He created them.
- Genesis 1:27
What Our Actions Say to God
For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son,
that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have
everlasting life.
- John 3:16
What Our Actions Say to God
Nevertheless even among the rulers many believed in Him, but
because of the Pharisees they did not confess Him, lest they
should be put out of the synagogue; for they loved the praise of
men more than the praise of God.
- John 12:42-43
What Our Actions Say to God
1. You are not important in our lives
2. You cannot be trusted with my life
What Our Actions Say to God
There is a way that seems right to a man, But its end is the way
of death.
- Proverbs 14:12
What Our Actions Say to God
But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and
all these things shall be added to you.
- Matthew 6:33
What happens to those who mistreat God?
1. They will be punished for their ways and attitudes.
What happens to those who mistreat God?
But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually
immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part
in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the
second death.“
- Revelation 21:8
What can we learn from this
type of treatment of God?
Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man
sows, that he will also reap.
- Galatians 6:7
And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with
all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength. '
This is the first commandment.
- Mark 12:30
Proper treatment of God
means staying with Him always
I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I
have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing;
therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may
live; that you may love the Lord your God, that you may obey
His voice, and that you may cling to Him, for He is your life
and the length of your days;
- Deuteronomy 30:19-20a