1. A sign of holiness (36-40)

The malignant spirit of rebellion that erupted almost destroyed the people. Moses and Aaron worked to restore spiritual order. The censers of the dead rebels were holy, for they had paid for their rebellion with their lives. Eleazar hammered them out and overlaid the altar. The people must remember that God is holy. He must be worshiped in his way.

2. Standing between the living and the dead (41-50)

The people did not repent of their rebellious spirit. They ignored God's hand of judgment and blamed Moses and Aaron for the deaths of their 250 leaders. Suddenly, God's wrath and glory burst forth from the cloud and a terrible plague began. Aaron rushed into the midst of the people with a censer of incense from the altar. He stood between the living and the dead and made atonement for them--and the plague stopped.

Application: Lord, thank you for interposing the blood of Jesus between my rebellious spirit and your judgment.
One Word: Rebellion leads to death