Our thought this week concerns a serious incident among the children of Israel in the Sinai desert after God had faithfully redeemed them and brought them out of slavery in Egypt with many miracles. Even though they had repeatedly complained about the hardships that should have strengthened them, He fed, watered and cared for them (even through 40 years – Deut 29:5) on their journey to the land that He had promised them. This incident, however, was about rebellion against the men that God had given to lead them to their new home.
How to Promote Sedition
Korah was a Levite who had been called to serve in the Tabernacle, but who wanted to elevate himself to the priesthood. He was jealous that this role should have been exclusively given to Aaron and his family. So he went with three friends to the tribe next door (Reuben) and persuaded 250 community leaders to join him to challenge the authority of Moses and Aaron. This seed of rebellion spread like wildfire. We have seen the same happen many times in our nation’s history. It happens when envious, self-seeking and angry men look to express a grievance, and it is as contagious as a virus.
Judgment against Rebellion
Moses’ response to Korah (and thereby to all who rebel against God-given authority) was clear. He basically said, ‘You already have special privileges; but in coming against Aaron, you are rebelling against God’s authority, and you have provoked Him with contempt (Num 16:30); it was He who raised up Aaron and I to lead you (1 Sam 12:6)’. It was so serious that Moses asked for God to create (bara – God’s creation, as in Gen 1:1) a new thing before them – something unexpected – that would vindicate His choice of leadership. But he also interceded for the rest of the people, so that only those in rebellion were destroyed.
But again the community murmured against Moses and Aaron, accusing them of “killing the people of the Lord” (Num 16:41) – would they (or we) ever learn? Again, the Lord expressed indignation by a plague. It was a dreaded, highly contagious, fast-spreading plague – 14,700 died in a short time, and it was only stayed when Aaron ran to intercede for the people (Num 16:46-50). So Moses instructed the leaders of the tribes to collect 12 staffs (including Aaron’s staff for Levi) and put each man’s name on theirs, and Moses placed them before the Testimony of the Tabernacle overnight. In the morning, all were unchanged except Aaron’s, which had sprouted, budded, blossomed and born ripe almonds. Vindication of the Aaronic priesthood, and of God’s choice of leader.
Hope through Repentance and the Love of God
The lesson is clear. The general problem was ‘grumbling’ – again and again – they didn’t have this, they didn’t like that, they didn’t trust the leaders, and they wanted the promised land – NOW. Quite like us. But worst of all, they thought that, since God was ‘in the Tabernacle’, He couldn’t see what they were doing in the camp. Big mistake. We can learn the lessons of rebellion the hard way, but rejection either of God, or of His chosen leaders, is a serious business.
What we need to learn from this is that He loves us and wants to dwell with us, care for us, provide the best for us, even save us (sometimes from ourselves) through His gift of His precious Son Jesus who took the punishment for our rebellion. And in His love, He will send (indeed, is sending) hard times to encourage us to repent, and turn back to love, obey and enjoy Him.
Please let’s pray this time that we do it.
Author: Greg Stevenson