First, the priestly office is considered as holy (36-40). After God made fire come up out of the censers and burn the 250 men who challenged the priesthood, Eleazar the priest had the censers hammered flat and fastened to the altar. The censers would be a sign to remind the Israelites that no one, except a descendant of Aaron, should burn incense before God. The priestly offices within the church are holy must be upheld. Second, Moses and Aaron demonstrate why the priestly office is so important (41-50). The people were grumbling and questioning the legitimacy of God's judgment. God's judgment was looming. Moses and Aaron quickly engaged their priestly role. They fell face down, praying. They took up the censors and made atonement for the peoples' sins. Aaron was doing something, anything, by faith. In doing so he stood between the living and the dead, and the plague stopped. God accepted their prayers and atonement offerings, but not before 14,700 people died.
Application: Lord, raise up shepherds who can respond quickly and minister to the people.
One Word: Shepherds who can quickly pray for the people