Numbers 16:50
Then Aaron returned to Moses at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting, since the plague had been halted.
Then Aaron returned
The phrase "Then Aaron returned" signifies a moment of completion and obedience. Aaron, the high priest, acts as an intermediary between God and the Israelites. The Hebrew root for "returned" is "שׁוּב" (shuv), which often implies repentance or turning back. This action symbolizes Aaron's faithful execution of God's command, highlighting the importance of obedience and the role of the priesthood in mediating between God and His people.

to Moses
Moses, as the leader and prophet, represents God's chosen instrument for guiding Israel. The relationship between Moses and Aaron is one of partnership in leadership, with Moses often receiving direct revelation from God and Aaron executing the priestly duties. This phrase underscores the unity and cooperation necessary among God's servants to fulfill His purposes.

at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting
The "Tent of Meeting" is a sacred space where God communicates with Moses and the Israelites. It serves as a physical representation of God's presence among His people. The entrance signifies a threshold between the divine and the human, a place of encounter and revelation. Historically, the Tent of Meeting was central to Israelite worship and community life, emphasizing the importance of approaching God with reverence and humility.

since the plague had been halted
The halting of the plague is a direct result of Aaron's intercession, as he stood between the living and the dead with incense, symbolizing prayer and atonement. The Hebrew word for "plague" is "נֶגֶף" (negef), which can mean a blow or a striking. This event illustrates God's mercy and the power of intercessory prayer. It serves as a reminder of the consequences of rebellion against God, as well as His willingness to forgive and restore when His people repent and seek His face.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Aaron
The brother of Moses and the first high priest of Israel. In Numbers 16, Aaron plays a crucial role in interceding for the people of Israel during a plague.

2. Moses
The leader of the Israelites, chosen by God to lead His people out of Egypt. Moses is central in mediating between God and the Israelites during the rebellion of Korah.

3. The Tabernacle
The dwelling place of God among the Israelites, where Aaron and Moses often communicated with God. It is the focal point of worship and sacrifice.

4. The Plague
A divine punishment sent by God as a result of the rebellion led by Korah, Dathan, and Abiram against Moses and Aaron's leadership.

5. Israelites
The chosen people of God, who are often depicted as rebellious and disobedient, yet recipients of God's mercy and grace.
Teaching Points
The Role of Intercession
Aaron's intercession highlights the importance of standing in the gap for others in prayer and seeking God's mercy on behalf of those who have sinned.

The Consequences of Rebellion
The rebellion of Korah serves as a warning against challenging God's appointed leaders and the consequences of disobedience.

God's Mercy and Justice
While God is just in punishing sin, His mercy is evident in providing a means of atonement and sparing the lives of many through Aaron's actions.

The Importance of Obedience
Obedience to God's commands and respect for His chosen leaders are crucial for maintaining order and receiving His blessings.

The Power of Prayer
The swift cessation of the plague upon Aaron's intercession demonstrates the power of prayer and the importance of seeking God's intervention in times of crisis.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does Aaron's role as an intercessor in Numbers 16:50 reflect the role of Jesus as our high priest in the New Testament?

2. What lessons can we learn from the rebellion of Korah about the dangers of pride and challenging God's authority?

3. In what ways can we apply the principle of intercession in our own prayer lives today?

4. How does the incident in Numbers 16:50 illustrate the balance between God's justice and mercy?

5. What are some practical steps we can take to ensure we are obedient to God's commands and respectful of His appointed leaders in our lives?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Exodus 32
The incident of the golden calf, where Moses intercedes for the Israelites, parallels Aaron's intercession in Numbers 16.

Leviticus 10
The deaths of Nadab and Abihu, Aaron's sons, for offering unauthorized fire, highlight the seriousness of approaching God improperly, similar to the rebellion in Numbers 16.

Hebrews 7
Discusses the priesthood of Jesus, drawing parallels to Aaron's role as a mediator, but emphasizing the superiority of Christ's eternal priesthood.
Korah's RebellionW. Binnie Numbers 16:19-22, 41-50
Aaron Staying the PlagueJ. D. Lane, M. A.Numbers 16:41-50
An Awful Spectacle, and a Surprising RemedyS. Thodey.Numbers 16:41-50
Mercy Rejoiceth Against JudgmentE. Auriol, M. A.Numbers 16:41-50
Standing Between the Dead and the LivingJ. Slade, M. A.Numbers 16:41-50
Staying the PlagueW. C. Le Breton, M. A.Numbers 16:41-50
The Aggravated Rebellion of the PeopleW. Jones.Numbers 16:41-50
The High Priest Standing Between the Dead and the LivingNumbers 16:41-50
The Living and the DeadT. De Witt Talmage.Numbers 16:41-50
The Plague in the WildernessC. Bradley, M. A.Numbers 16:41-50
The Plague StayedJ. Burns, D. D.Numbers 16:41-50
The Prevailing IntercessorBp. Horne.Numbers 16:41-50
The Priesthood Still Further Honoured and EstablishedD. Young Numbers 16:41-50
The Sin of Man and the Salvation of GodS. Thodey.Numbers 16:41-50
Transgression and IntercessionHenry, MatthewNumbers 16:41-50
People
Aaron, Abiram, Dathan, Eleazar, Eliab, Israelites, Izhar, Kohath, Korah, Levi, Levites, Moses, Pallu, Peleth, Reuben, Reubenites
Places
Wilderness of Paran
Topics
Aaron, Checked, Congregation, Disease, Door, Doorway, Entrance, Meeting, Opening, Plague, Restrained, Returned, Stayed, Stop, Stopped, Tabernacle, Tent, Turneth
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Numbers 16:1-50

     5550   speech, negative

Numbers 16:41-50

     4843   plague

Library
September 3. "The God of Israel Hath Separated You" (Num. xvi. 9).
"The God of Israel hath separated you" (Num. xvi. 9). The little plant may grow out of a manure heap, and be surrounded by filth, and covered very often with the floating dust that is borne upon the breeze, but its white roots are separated from the unclean soil, and its leaves and flowers have no affinity with the dust that settles upon them; and after a shower of summer rain they throw off every particle of defilement, and look up, as fresh and spotless as before, for their intrinsic nature cannot
Rev. A. B. Simpson—Days of Heaven Upon Earth

Death Swallowed up in victory
Then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory! D eath, simply considered, is no more than the cessation of life --that which was once living, lives no longer. But it has been the general, perhaps the universal custom of mankind, to personify it. Imagination gives death a formidable appearance, arms it with a dart, sting or scythe, and represents it as an active, inexorable and invincible reality. In this view death is a great devourer; with his iron tongue
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 2

Whether Vengeance Should be Taken on those who have Sinned Involuntarily?
Objection 1: It seems that vengeance should be taken on those who have sinned involuntarily. For the will of one man does not follow from the will of another. Yet one man is punished for another, according to Ex. 20:5, "I am . . . God . . . jealous, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, unto the third and fourth generation." Thus for the sin of Cham, his son Chanaan was curse (Gn. 9:25) and for the sin of Giezi, his descendants were struck with leprosy (4 Kings 5). Again the blood
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica

Conflict.
"Therefore let us also, seeing we are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus the Author and Perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the Cross, despising shame, and hath sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him that hath endured such gainsaying of sinners against themselves, that ye
Thomas Charles Edwards—The Expositor's Bible: The Epistle to the Hebrews

Ninth Sunday after Trinity Carnal Security and Its vices.
Text: 1 Corinthians 10, 6-13. 6 Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted. 7 Neither be ye idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play. 8 Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand. 9 Neither let us make trial of the Lord, as some of them made trial, and perished by the serpents. 10 Neither murmur ye, as
Martin Luther—Epistle Sermons, Vol. III

The Life and Death of Mr. Badman,
Presented to the World in a Familiar Dialogue Between Mr. Wiseman and Mr. Attentive. By John Bunyan ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR. The life of Badman is a very interesting description, a true and lively portraiture, of the demoralized classes of the trading community in the reign of King Charles II; a subject which naturally led the author to use expressions familiar among such persons, but which are now either obsolete or considered as vulgar. In fact it is the only work proceeding from the prolific
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

Numbers
Like the last part of Exodus, and the whole of Leviticus, the first part of Numbers, i.-x. 28--so called,[1] rather inappropriately, from the census in i., iii., (iv.), xxvi.--is unmistakably priestly in its interests and language. Beginning with a census of the men of war (i.) and the order of the camp (ii.), it devotes specific attention to the Levites, their numbers and duties (iii., iv.). Then follow laws for the exclusion of the unclean, v. 1-4, for determining the manner and amount of restitution
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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