“Speak unto Eleazar the son of Aaron the priest, that he take up the censers out of the burning, and scatter thou the fire yonder; for they are hallowed.”
In this verse, we find ourselves in the context of a rebellion against Moses and Aaron led by Korah, Dathan, and Abiram, who were prominent leaders among the Israelites. They challenged Moses and Aaron’s authority, claiming that they had exalted themselves above the congregation of the Lord. As a result, God intervened and judged the rebellious individuals.
Now, let’s focus on the specific verse, Numbers 16:38, and break it down to better understand its significance:
Eleazar the son of Aaron:Eleazar was the third son of Aaron, the brother of Moses. He held the role of high priest after the deaths of his older brothers, Nadab and Abihu. In this context, Moses is instructed to speak to Eleazar, as he has a specific task to perform.
Take up the censers out of the burning:The censers were containers used for burning incense, often made of brass or other metals. During the rebellion, the rebels had used their censers in an unauthorized manner, offering incense to the Lord without the proper authority. As a consequence, God punished them by causing the earth to open up and swallow the rebels, along with their families and possessions. The censers were left in the aftermath of this judgment.
Scatter thou the fire yonder:Moses instructs Eleazar to take the censers that were used in the unauthorized offering and scatter the fire that was in them. This act signifies the removal of the defiled and unholy elements. The fire represented the divine presence of God and had been misused by those who were not authorized to offer incense.
For they are hallowed:The reason for scattering the fire is that the censers themselves were considered hallowed or holy. Although they were used in an unauthorized manner, the censers were still consecrated objects set apart for sacred purposes. By scattering the fire, Eleazar would remove the fire’s unholy association with the rebellion and restore the sanctity of the censers.
This verse serves as a reminder of the consequences of unauthorized actions and the importance of adhering to God’s instructions and ordained roles. It highlights the significance of respecting the boundaries and authority set by God in matters of worship and service.
Overall, Numbers 16:38 teaches us about the need for reverence and obedience when approaching God. It reveals that the misuse of sacred things can result in severe consequences. Furthermore, it emphasizes the responsibility of those in positions of authority to ensure the sanctity and proper use of holy objects.
