Reading the Signs

"One Year Bible" Old Testament History Passage
Numbers 26:1-52

"...and they became a sign."  Numbers 26:10 (NKJV)

Three men from the tribe of Levi had incited rebellion and division in Isreal.  Their names were Korah, Dathan, and Abiram.  We read their story in Numbers 16.  Because of their actions, God brought severe judgment on them.  As such, God says that they were "a sign" to Israel. 

In their rebellion and God's resultant judgment, they became a sign to Israel.  We might ask, "A sign of what?"  In this case, the answer would be that God deals seriously and severely with those who incite discord and division among His people.

Let's look, however, at the big picture.  God here used a very negative situation to be a "sign", a message to Israel.  I believe God may be doing this toward us more often than we realize.  Not just with NEGATIVE messages, but with POSITIVE words of His blessing and providence.  Jesus once spoke to the Pharisee about reading "the signs of the times" (Matt. 16:3).  God is continually talking to us -- and He uses an amazing variety of means.

Our context today was a NEGATIVE warning.  However, His signs are often POSITIVE too.  Look around and see the evidences of God's direction and leading on your life.  Today, He may use the words of a friend, the unfolding events of the day, or the small voice of your conscience.  In the words of Francis Shaeffer, "He is there, and He is not silent."  God hedges our way with tokens of His blessing and indicators of His will.  Let's see the "signs" by which He speaks.