Separate, but interceding

As I was reading different passages from the Bible today, several things struck me, but perhaps this passage most of all.

Some of the Israelites had rebelled against God, and Moses told the community,

Get away from the tents of these wicked men. Don’t touch anything that belongs to them, or you will be swept away because of all their sins. (Numbers 16:26)

The truth is, if we become too entangled with the people of this world, we can get entangled with the consequences of their sin.

There is a reason we are called to be separate from this world. (John 17:14-17; 1 John 2:15-17)

And yet, we are not called to completely abandon those headed for destruction either, at least while there is still time for their salvation.

So in chapter 17, when destruction was headed for the Israelites because of their rebellion, Moses told Aaron to make atonement for the people.

Aaron raced into their midst, and it says in verse 48,

He stood between the dead and the living, and the plague was halted.

We too are called to stand between the living and the dead.

We ourselves cannot make atonement for those who are spiritually dying. But we can introduce them to the One who can. And we can pray.

So as God’s priests, let us find that balance.

Let us not so entangle ourselves with sinners to the point that we get caught up in their sin and the destruction that comes with it.

But let us also intercede for those who are dying, that they too might find the life we ourselves have so graciously received.