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- [00:06]
A
Hey, this is Shelby and Scott. We're walking you through the Book of Numbers today. We're in chapters 16 through 18, and let's jump right in. Yeah.
- [00:14]
B
So, okay, I want to start with a question for you, Shelby. So I know you've been in various leadership positions. I'm thinking particularly you used to manage a coffee shop. And so I'm curious, did you ever come across customers or maybe even employees who. Who did not approve of your leadership?
- [00:35]
A
All the time, Scott. In my former life, yes. As a barista and coffee shop manager, that was a common experience for sure.
- [00:43]
B
Yes. I'm not surprised. Leaders get darts thrown at them all the time. And I ask is that's what these chapters are really about? As we get to numbers 16 through 18, some Israelites are essentially asking Moses, who made you boss? Which is funny because literally God made him boss. They're essentially rejecting Moses as the leader of the Israelites and rejecting Aaron in the idea that only Aaron's lion can be priests. And they're basically claiming, hey, everyone can be a priest. And it's funny, they accuse Moses of exalting himself and appointing him as ruler over the people, because Moses is probably thinking, I never wanted this. Remember Exodus 3? He tried to get out of this whole deliverance from Egypt thing. But as the study mentions, you've got these three moments where God just clearly demonstrates to the people who his chosen leaders are. And so you've got a scene with a guy named Korah and his co conspirators offering incense and then being destroyed. God's wrath coming against the Israelites in a second scene who complain about Moses and Aaron. And then you've got this scene of Aaron's staff budding, proving that he is God's approved priest. And by the end of that third scene with Aaron's staff, the people are suitably freaked out and thinking that God is going to destroy them. And then the focus on the Priesthood in chapter 16 and 17 is wide. Numbers then goes into this section on the duties of priests in chapter 18 and how the people of Israel are to provide for them.
- [02:13]
A
That was a great breakdown of these chapters, Scott. But I am curious because currently there's no Levitical priest that I am under the leadership of. And so do these chapters apply to us here today?
- [02:26]
B
Yeah, sure. You know, I think again, it's all about the sections is God's leaders, the needs to listen to them. I think as a reminder here, caring for the souls of other people is hard work. And Moses is not having fun in this moment. Leading these people. And the idea that he's in this leadership position for his own personal glory is just laughable. Like back in chapter 12, when Miriam and Aaron, as brother and sister, were coming against him, we read that Moses was a very humble man, more so than anyone else on the face of the earth. Now, Moses probably did not write that line, Shelby, but part of me kind of hopes he did. But anyway, that was a funny line. But Moses is a humble guy. He's not in it for his own glory. You know, I think this reminds me that God calls certain people to leadership positions, like pastors. Yes, church staff, but I think even positions like small group leaders, things like that, counselors. And as we see here, that work is very hard. It's often very thankless, which I'm sure you experience as a manager of a coffee shop. You know, good intentions from leaders can often be misinterpreted. And I'm reminded of Hebrews 13:17 here, where the author says, obey your leaders and submit to them, since they keep watch over your souls as those who will give an account so that they can do this with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you. So I think these chapters are a spot to stop and consider. Just first, who are the leaders God has placed in your life? And then how can you make their job a joy and not a burden?
- [04:07]
A
Yeah, I think it's so cool throughout the Bible when you kind of get the curtain peeled back a little bit. We've had a lot of focus on, you know, the Israelites as a whole and their actions. But here we're kind of getting, like, an inner view of what's happening with Moses as the leader. And so I think my takeaway definitely here is compassion toward those who are leading me and thinking about the ways that I can serve and love them, because I am probably thinking more about my own experience rather than their experience. Whenever I'm in a time where I'm, you know, physically under their leadership, like in a. A church setting or something like that. So that is a great reminder. I also want to remind people that you can be reading along with us in the A Year in the Bible Study set. You can check out the show notes for a link to that. And if you are listening on a podcast, you can also be watching us on YouTube. We are in a really cozy place in front of a firepl having a conversation. And so we'd love for you to check out YouTube and watch and listen to these episodes. We'll be back with more from Numbers tomorrow.