Numbers 16:41,43-5 (ESV)

Originally published 09/16/2015

 More than 250 leaders of Israel rebelled against God's chosen leader, and God opened the ground and they were crushed. "But on the next day all the congregation of the people of Israel grumbled against Moses and against Aaron, saying, 'You have killed the people of the LORD.'...and Moses and Aaron came to the front of the tent of meeting, and the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, 'Get away from the midst of the congregation that I might consume them in a moment.' And they fell on their faces" Numbers 16:41,43-5 (ESV). Moses had every reason to be angry that he was being blamed for what God had done and to want the people who were blaming him to be punished. But Moses and Aaron fell on their faces to plead with God for the people who were falsely accusing them. Lord, you did more than turn the other cheek when you were crucified. You, like Moses, prayed for those who were killing you. Teach me, even when people hurt me, to be more concerned for them than for myself.