Today's reading: Numbers 16, 17, 18; Psalm 15, 45, 75, 105, 135; Proverbs 15
Numbers 16:9, "Seemeth it but a small thing unto you, that the God of Israel hath separated you from the congregation of Israel, to bring you near to himself to do the service of the tabernacle of the LORD, and to stand before the congregation to minister unto them?"
As I was reading our text for today my attention was drawn to the phrase "to bring you near to himself". I have heard for a long time that "nearness is likeness". This is so true. If you are near someone long enough you will begin to speak like them and act like them. I tease my wife about this all the time. It is true that we will act like those we associate with.
I remember when I was a very young boy there was a terrible storm that came through our area. Trees were knocked down all over the place and all that goes along with that. I remember going to my aunt and uncle's house and helping clean tree limbs out of their yard after lightening struck a huge tree in their yard. I enjoyed helping and best of all I was able to ride on the tractor while my cousin was driving. This went on for a few days as I remember. Then it was over. I remember standing in my bathroom and crying like a little baby because I wanted to go back and ride on the tractor and be with my cousin.
We have to be very careful who we associate with. If we associate with godly people then we will most likely be drawn to godliness. If we choose to associate with ungodly and sinful people then you can mark it down it will not be long and we will be acting just like them. Such a shame. Look at what happened to some who were associated with an ungodly person in Numbers 16:33, "They, and all that appertained to them, went down alive into the pit, and the earth closed upon them: and they perished from among the congregation." These all died because they stuck together and stood up against God and His chosen leaders. It was a costly decision and association.
So; if nearness is likeness, who are you like? Sure about that?
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