[Levite community leaders] came as a group to oppose Moses and Aaron and said to them, “You have gone too far! The whole community is holy, every one of them, and the Lord is with them. Why then do you set yourselves above the Lord’s assembly?”
Numbers 16:3 (NIV)
Albert Einstein once said, “Great spirits have always encountered violent opposition from mediocre minds.”
Along my life journey, I’ve observed a few things that have been true in both business and churches.
- Individuals have different gifts and callings that, when deployed appropriately, benefit the entire system and help it function in a healthy way.
- Individuals sometimes desire to be, or firmly believe that they are, gifted or called in ways that they simply are not. These individuals will often attack those who have these gifts, roles, or the power structure of the system in order to make their desires or beliefs be true. This detrimentally undermines the entire system.
- Individuals are sometimes placed by leadership to positions and roles that are incongruent with their gifts and callings. Other times circumstances force people into roles for which they are not suited. In either situation, the system will experience strain and will not function at peak health or productivity.
In the books of Exodus and Leviticus God establishes a system in which His fledgling Hebrew community of former slaves is to function. The system establishes order for healthy spiritual, physical, relational, and community function. All the Hebrew people have to do is to obey the rules and contentedly function within the system as it has been established.
However, not everyone is willing to do so.
Two of Aaron’s sons impertinently made light of their priestly duties. Most of the spies, plagued by fear and doubt, lied and exaggerated to enflame the people against entering the Promised Land.
In today’s chapter, a group of Levite leaders rebel against Moses and Aaron. Their motivations and complaints are layered, but what is clear is that they are envious of Moses and Aaron’s leadership, they are discontent with their roles as Levites and want the positions of priests and prophets to which Moses, Aaron, and Aaron’s sons have been called. Their discontent is fueled by the hardships they’ve experienced as well as listening to (and participating in) perpetual grumbling and complaints. Ironically, they also criticize Moses and Aaron for not simply delivering the Promised Land that they themselves refused to enter out of their own fear and doubts. Their envy, jealousy, discontent, and critical spirits have blinded themselves to their own destructive thoughts and behaviors.
God’s solution appears to be purging the system of the dysfunctional and destructive parts. I find it telling that Moses and Aaron humbly plead and act on behalf of the misguided crazymakers in the system. Moses’ attitude and actions are downright Christlike.
In the quiet this morning, I can’t help but think about the businesses, organizations, and churches in which I’ve encountered the very same dysfunctions, envies, jealousies, critical spirits, and self-seeking demands that Moses and Aaron encountered in today’s chapter. These dysfunctions are still with us today because all human systems, just like the Hebrews in the wilderness, continue to function in a fallen world utilizing human beings given to their own sinful pride and self-centered appetites.
Which leaves me with a choice to make. Will I operate, lead, and exemplify the humility and grace Moses demonstrates – and the fruit of God’s Spirit to which Jesus calls me to respond to all people in every situation? Or, will I fall into the trap of human envy, discontent, selfish ambition, and the critical spirit to which they inevitably lead?
A good question to ponder on a Monday morning heading into a new work week. I know what I choose. You?
If you know anyone who might be encouraged by today’s post, please share.
