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Book of Numbers - Chapter 16 - Verse 46

16:46
And Moses said unto Aaron, Take a censer, and put fire therein from off the altar, and put on incense, and go quickly unto the congregation, and make an atonement for them: for there is wrath gone out from the LORD; the plague is begun.

Meaning

In this verse, Moses is instructing Aaron to act quickly to make atonement for the congregation because the Lord's wrath is upon them. The use of a censer, which is a vessel used for burning incense, symbolizes purification and cleansing. By igniting fire from the altar and burning incense, Aaron is seeking forgiveness and appeasement on behalf of the people. The act of making atonement is a way of reconciling with God and seeking forgiveness for sins committed. The presence of the plague indicates that the people have fallen out of favor with the Lord and are in need of divine intervention to stop the punishment that has befallen them. This verse serves as a reminder of the importance of seeking forgiveness and making amends when faced with the consequences of one's actions.

Theological Overview

In this verse from Numbers 16:46, Moses instructs Aaron to take a censer and put fire from the altar along with incense to make an atonement for the people. The word "censer" refers to a vessel used to burn incense, symbolizing prayers going up to God. This act of atonement represents seeking forgiveness and reconciliation with God. The burning of incense is a symbol of the prayers and intercessions being lifted up to God on behalf of the congregation. The mention of wrath and plague emphasizes the seriousness of the situation, highlighting the need for immediate action to appease God's anger and stop the spread of the plague. This verse serves as a reminder of the importance of seeking forgiveness and making atonement for our sins, as well as the power of prayer and intercession in times of trouble.

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