Daily Reading: Numbers 26-27
Numbers 26:10
And the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed them up together with Korah, when that company died, what time the fire devoured two hundred and fifty men: and they became a sign.
And they became a sign... This verse is speaking about Korah and his crowd. Remember them? Numbers 16:3 said of them: And they gathered themselves together against Moses and against Aaron, and said unto them, Ye take too much upon you, seeing all the congregation are holy, every one of them, and the LORD is among them: wherefore then lift ye up yourselves above the congregation of the LORD? Now, God's Word tells us that they became a sign.
They became a warning sign to all who would rebel against God's appointed leaders for their lives. The world opened up as a huge mouth and swallowed Korah alive. This is a physical sign of a spiritual truth. For the world, its teachings, influence, and temptations has swallowed up many a rebel. You see, Korah seemed to be the ringleader that led to the death of himself and his followers.
Years ago I heard a preacher warn, "Be careful not to become a sermon illustration." A sermon illustration is a sign, a word picture, that illustrates that which happens as a result of certain actions. Like anything though, there are sermon illustrations of the good type, and of the bad. Any child of God would not mind being a sign, or illustration, of faithfulness, honesty, forgiveness, and many other fine Christian characteristics. Likewise, any child of God should be incredibly careful not to become an illustration of poor choices, disobedience, unfaithfulness, and the like.
Wherever you are, whatever you are doing, you are a sign. Either a helpful sign, or a warning sign. For none of us are an isolated island. Paul said it like this in II Corinthians 3:2: Ye are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read of all men: If you are the only Bible some will ever read, what is the Gospel according to you?
Until tomorrow, live for Christ today.
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