When Moses turns away from the Holy Land, there is rebellion again.

This time the leaders of three clans, backed by another 250 other well-known leaders, tell Moses and Aaron that they have gone too far, and that someone else should also have the right to be a priest.

So Moses tells them to bring their offerings to the Lord the next day, to see who the Lord accepts as Priests.

It’s not hard to work out what will happen next. Overnight the three leaders and their clans and tents are swallowed up in the earth. The other 250 appear at the Holy Tent the next day, and are promptly burnt alive by their offerings as the approach the altar. God states that their firepans, which held their offerings, are to be turned into an altar covering as a warning to the people.

Rather than take the warning though, the people come outside the tent and begin complaining again. God is so angry he sends a plague among them, and it is only Aaron’s swift work in grabbing an offering firepan and beginning emergency purification proceedings that saves them. “This stopped the plague, and Aaron was left standing between the living and the dead.”

Moses and Aaron pray for the lives of the people and God tells Moses to put the leaders of the 12 tribes names on 12 sticks, with Aaron’s name on the Levites, in front of the altar. The one that blossoms is the priest. Of course it is Aaron’s stick which flowers, and produces fresh almonds overnight.

Dear God, Please be with A, who is feeling isolated and poverty-struck today. Please help my faith. It is weary today. I believe, help me believe more. In Jesus name, Amen