Korah
Num 16:1 Now Korah, the son of Izhar, the son of Kohath, the son of Levi, and Dathan and Abiram, the sons of Eliab, and On, the son of Peleth, sons of Reuben, took men:
Num 16:2 And they rose up before Moses, with certain of the children of Israel, two hundred and fifty princes of the assembly, famous in the congregation, men of renown:
Num 16:3 And they gathered themselves together against Moses and against Aaron, and said unto them, Ye take too much upon you, seeing all the congregation are holy, every one of them, and the LORD is among them: wherefore then lift ye up yourselves above the congregation of the LORD?
Korah, with 250 of the most honoured and respected men of the twelve tribes asserted their authority against Moses, who was the chosen mediator from God. We are just as holy as you are, they said. What makes you think you should be the leader to lift yourself up above the congregation of God?
Were they indeed equal? Had they forgotten the curse put on them by God because of disobedience and self will? Now, through disobedience and self will they oppose God's spokesman as they opposed God earlier in unbelief.
If you have attended church for many years you may have seen a Korah, who questioned the leadership and with members of influence attempted to take over or even to split the church. I have heard these same words, "Who made you more holy than us? We all have God's spirit." Moses had God's Spirit as did Joshua and Caleb. They were men of faith, hearing God and obeying him. Who is Korah?
Num 16:4 And when Moses heard it, he fell upon his face:
See the difference? Moses a humble man seeking always direction from the LORD, falling down in humility before the LORD. He did not defend himself. He did not argue his own merits and abilities. He did not attempt to convince them of his superiority. Never did Moses seek to be superior. He was called of God, and he accepted the calling with meekness and the LORD'S strength.
Num 16:5 And he spake unto Korah and unto all his company, saying, Even to morrow the LORD will show who are his, and who is holy; and will cause him to come near unto him: even him whom he hath chosen will he cause to come near unto him.
Moses responded with a message from the LORD God. Tomorrow, the LORD will show who are his, and who is holy: and will cause him to come near him, his chosen he will cause to come near him.
This is true at this very moment, the Lord will cause his holy ones to come near to him.
Mat 11:28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Mat 11:29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
Mat 11:30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
John 15:4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.
John 17:21 That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.
John 17:22 And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one:
Levites in rebellion
Num 16:6 This do; Take you censers, Korah, and all his company;
Num 16:7 And put fire therein, and put incense in them before the LORD to morrow: and it shall be that the man whom the LORD doth choose, he shall be holy: ye take too much upon you, ye sons of Levi.
Korah and some of his followers were sons of Levi. The priestly tribe of the Levites, were to tend to the things of God in the temple, but were assigned to lesser ceremonial duties, under the priests of the family of Aaron. Aaron was the high priest who offered sacrifices Moses was the leader and mediator of God's people. He was chosen by the LORD.
The Korah Levites were to light incense, which was a high priestly duty, and show up at the tabernacle. Then God would decide this issue.
Num 16:8 And Moses said unto Korah, Hear, I pray you, ye sons of Levi:
Num 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?
Can't you be satisfied to have been chosen to come near the Ark of the Lord and to tend to the duties of the tabernacle? Even today, too many want positions of honor in the church. Even though God had not called them to do this.
Num 16:10 And he hath brought thee near to him, and all thy brethren the sons of Levi with thee: and seek ye the priesthood also?
Num 16:11 For which cause both thou and all thy company are gathered together against the LORD: and what is Aaron, that ye murmur against him?
You want more power and honor? What about God's will? What about Aaron, will you replace him by force?
Lord help us and keep us from men of religion seeking personal power and domination of the people. These who build their own empire, being a celebrity, seeking their own hearts, instead of the heart of God. And then, claiming they are the servants of God. This is the way of Korah.
Dathan and Abiram
Num 16:12 And Moses sent to call Dathan and Abiram, the sons of Eliab: which said, We will not come up:
These were together with Korah, leading the rebellion against Moses. (Num 16:1)
Num 16:13 Is it a small thing that thou hast brought us up out of a land that floweth with milk and honey, to kill us in the wilderness, except thou make thyself altogether a prince over us?
Who is to blame here? They had believed the negative report and refused to go into the Land of milk and honey and now they accuse Moses? They also accuse him of making himself a prince over them. The devil twists things around. The LORD had called Moses to lead his people. Now, the rebels who seek control blame Moses accusing him of impure motives. Their hearts were deceived.
Psa 52:2 Thy tongue deviseth mischiefs; like a sharp razor, working deceitfully.
Psa 52:3 Thou lovest evil more than good; and lying rather than to speak righteousness. Selah.
Psa 52:4 Thou lovest all devouring words, O thou deceitful tongue.
Num 16:14 Moreover thou hast not brought us into a land that floweth with milk and honey, or given us inheritance of fields and vineyards: wilt thou put out the eyes of these men? we will not come up.
The accusing continues, will you also put out their eyes? A further injustice? The LORD is judge, he will decide.
Num 16:15 And Moses was very wroth, and said unto the LORD, Respect not thou their offering: I have not taken one ass from them, neither have I hurt one of them.
Num 16:16 And Moses said unto Korah, Be thou and all thy company before the LORD, thou, and they, and Aaron, to morrow:
Num 16:17 And take every man his censer, and put incense in them, and bring ye before the LORD every man his censer, two hundred and fifty censers; thou also, and Aaron, each of you his censer.
Num 16:18 And they took every man his censer, and put fire in them, and laid incense thereon, and stood in the door of the tabernacle of the congregation with Moses and Aaron.
They would have God settle this dispute.
Gathered and parted
Num 16:19 And Korah gathered all the congregation against them unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation: and the glory of the LORD appeared unto all the congregation.
As the 250 men stood at the door of the tabernacle with their offering of incense, Korah, the leader of the men who sought to take the authority from Moses, summoned all the people to come around him. He had captured the hearts of the people, who were now following him. And the glory of the LORD appeared unto them. Was this a mighty move of God? Many follow where the action is, would this be a new thing of the LORD? They were dissatisfied with Moses and his leadership, they wanted a new leader to follow and to meet their needs.
Num 16:20 And the LORD spake unto Moses and unto Aaron, saying,
Num 16:21 Separate yourselves from among this congregation, that I may consume them in a moment.
The LORD spoke only to Moses and Aaron, they were his chosen intercessors and leaders of the people. Apparently, only Moses and Aaron heard the voice of God. Even today, not all hear from God, but follow blindly where they see new leadership, where the "action" is. How important it is to hear from God, to know his word and his still small voice.
Num 16:22 And they fell upon their faces, and said, O God, the God of the spirits of all flesh, shall one man sin, and wilt thou be wroth with all the congregation?
They fell on their faces, Moses and Aaron, pleading for the lives of the congregation who followed the insurrection.
Num 16:23 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
Num 16:24 Speak unto the congregation, saying, Get you up from about the tabernacle of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram.
Tell the congregation to separate themselves from these rebels and all that they own. We are told to come out from among the world and those who follow evil ways.
2 Cor 6:14 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?
2 Cor 6:15 And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?
2 Cor 6:16 And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
2 Cor 6:17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,
2 Cor 6:18 And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.
Num 16:25 And Moses rose up and went unto Dathan and Abiram; and the elders of Israel followed him.
Moses and the elders, those who were respected older men of Israel, went to Dathan and Abiram, who were partnered with Korah, to deliver the LORD'S message.
Num 16:26 And he spake unto the congregation, saying, Depart, I pray you, from the tents of these wicked men, and touch nothing of theirs, lest ye be consumed in all their sins.
Remove yourself from them and have nothing to do with anything that pertains to them, lest you be consumed with them in all their sins.
We as Christians must remember that our God hates sin. We are not to be as the world and the devil, living as they do, bringing their ways into the church and our homes. We are to be a separated people, sanctified unto our Lord. With the grace of Jesus we are kept from God's wrath and with the Holy Spirit guiding us, we should follow and do what is pleasing to God. We want to be a blessing, first to our Lord and then to others as his love flows through us to them. As the LORD spoke to Moses and Aaron, he speaks to us when we come to him, reading his word and in prayer. He speaks to me as I prepare these messages.
A New Thing
Num 16:27 So they gat up from the tabernacle of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram, on every side: and Dathan and Abiram came out, and stood in the door of their tents, and their wives, and their sons, and their little children.
Moses had heard from God and commanded the people to be removed from the places where Korah, Dathan, and Abiram dwelt. They did as he said.
Num 16:28 And Moses said, Hereby ye shall know that the LORD hath sent me to do all these works; for I have not done them of mine own mind.
In verse 16, Moses had been accused of removing them from the land of milk and honey, so that Moses would make himself a prince over the people. They accused him of acting apart from God, denying their own guilt and blaming another. They were responsible to God for their own actions, but shifted the blame onto another. Isn't this as our generation now? See what God's response will be.
Num 16:29 If these men die the common death of all men, or if they be visited after the visitation of all men; then the LORD hath not sent me.
Moses was responding with a test from God. They had put him to the test, in opposing his leaders.
Num 16:30 But if the LORD make a new thing, and the earth open her mouth, and swallow them up, with all that appertain unto them, and they go down quick into the pit; then ye shall understand that these men have provoked the LORD.
Num 16:31 And it came to pass, as he had made an end of speaking all these words, that the ground clave asunder that was under them:
Num 16:32 And the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed them up, and their houses, and all the men that appertained unto Korah, and all their goods.
Num 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.
Num 16:34 And all Israel that were round about them fled at the cry of them: for they said, Lest the earth swallow us up also.
Deu 32:35 To me belongeth vengeance, and recompense; their foot shall slide in due time: for the day of their calamity is at hand, and the things that shall come upon them make haste.
Those who oppose God's servants oppose God. Saul of Tarsus was the enemy of the church until he met Jesus in a blinding light on the road to Damascus.
Acts 9:4 And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?
Acts 9:5 And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest:...
He was given grace and a new life. Jesus is here now, in him we are saved from God's wrath.
John 3:36 He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.
We are saved from the law of sin and death, by the grace of Jesus. As Korah rebelled and all his family perished with him, so shall we all be saved, who trust in Jesus as their savior.
Acts 16:31 And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.
Brazen Censers
Num 16:35 And there came out a fire from the LORD, and consumed the two hundred and fifty men that offered incense.
Fire came down from heaven, but they became the sacrifice. They received the wrath of God. They thought because they were important men, that they could come against God's anointed, Moses. They were convinced enough of their path, that they lit up censers as a sacrifice, and waited to hear from God. They were consumed because there was nothing of eternal value in them. They were disobedient to the LORD. Samuel spoke to the rebellious king Saul, to obey is better than sacrifice.
1 Sam 15:22 And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.
1 Sam 15:23 For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, he hath also rejected thee from being king.
1 Cor 3:13 Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is.
1 Cor 3:14 If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.
1 Cor 3:15 If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.
He who trusts in the Lord Jesus Christ shall be saved from the wrath of God. Jesus is the savior. A man cannot trust his own ways, he must obey God.
Num 16:36 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
Num 16:37 Speak unto Eleazar the son of Aaron the priest, that he take up the censers out of the burning, and scatter thou the fire yonder; for they are hallowed.
Out of the ashes, the LORD sees the censers as hallowed, for they were for offering incense and prayers to the LORD.
Num 16:38 The censers of these sinners against their own souls, let them make them broad plates for a covering of the altar: for they offered them before the LORD, therefore they are hallowed: and they shall be a sign unto the children of Israel.
Num 16:39 And Eleazar the priest took the brazen censers, wherewith they that were burnt had offered; and they were made broad plates for a covering of the altar:
Num 16:40 To be a memorial unto the children of Israel, that no stranger, which is not of the seed of Aaron, come near to offer incense before the LORD; that he be not as Korah, and as his company: as the LORD said to him by the hand of Moses.
Rev 8:3 And another angel came and stood at the altar, having a golden censer; and there was given unto him much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne.
Rev 8:4 And the smoke of the incense, which came with the prayers of the saints, ascended up before God out of the angel's hand.
Rev 8:5 And the angel took the censer, and filled it with fire of the altar, and cast it into the earth: and there were voices, and thunderings, and lightnings, and an earthquake.
So these censers were a memorial of incense and prayers and the wrath of God. What a memorial and a sign this was; the altar would be covered with the polished brass censers of the men who rebelled against God. Polished brass was used as mirrors. As the priest approached the brazen altar he would see his reflection. Was he free of sin? Let no one offer incense or prayers as did Korah, seeking his own wicked heart.
1 Cor 13:1 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.
Their voices would no longer be heard, but their brazen censers would speak loudly of God's warning and judgment. Trust and obey the Lord dear children and he will bless your path and meet your needs.
Incense to atone
Num 16:41 But on the morrow all the congregation of the children of Israel murmured against Moses and against Aaron, saying, Ye have killed the people of the LORD.
Wow, would they never learn? Will we never learn to not complain? They murmured against Moses and Aaron, accusing them. Where was repentance and the fear of God? Had they so soon forgotten their covenant with God?
Deu 27:26 Cursed be he that confirmeth not all the words of this law to do them. And all the people shall say, Amen.
Deu 28:1 And it shall come to pass, if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe and to do all his commandments which I command thee this day, that the LORD thy God will set thee on high above all nations of the earth:
Deu 28:2 And all these blessings shall come on thee, and overtake thee, if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God.
Num 16:42 And it came to pass, when the congregation was gathered against Moses and against Aaron, that they looked toward the tabernacle of the congregation: and, behold, the cloud covered it, and the glory of the LORD appeared.
We want to see the glory and the presence of the LORD when we seek him, but they were again complaining. This should have caused them to repent and to fall before the LORD.
Num 16:43 And Moses and Aaron came before the tabernacle of the congregation.
Num 16:44 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
Num 16:45 Get you up from among this congregation, that I may consume them as in a moment. And they fell upon their faces.
The LORD was angry with his ungrateful complaining people. Moses and Aaron as the mediators for the people, at once fell upon their faces before the LORD, whose presence was in the glory cloud.
Num 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.
Moses heard from God and commanded Aaron to make an offering of incense on the altar, for their was a plague as punishment upon the people.
To the Christian; Jesus has taken away our curses and offered himself for our healing. The presence of Jesus in our life keeps us from the law of sin and death. We are not cursed when we fail. Jesus is our mediator. We plead the blood and are saved.
Num 16:47 And Aaron took as Moses commanded, and ran into the midst of the congregation; and, behold, the plague was begun among the people: and he put on incense, and made an atonement for the people.
An atonement was required for sins. Jesus is our atonement, once and for all time.
Num 16:48 And he stood between the dead and the living; and the plague was stayed.
Aaron, the high priest offered the atonement that stayed the wrath of God. Jesus is our high priest who offered himself for our sins, not after he priesthood of Aaron, but after Melchisedec.
Heb 5:5 So also Christ glorified not himself to be made an high priest; but he that said unto him, Thou art my Son, to day have I begotten thee.
Heb 5:6 As he saith also in another place, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.
Heb 5:7 Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared;
Heb 5:8 Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered;
Heb 5:9 And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;
Heb 5:10 Called of God an high priest after the order of Melchisedec.
Heb 7:1 For this Melchisedec, king of Salem, priest of the most high God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, and blessed him;
Heb 7:2 To whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all; first being by interpretation King of righteousness, and after that also King of Salem, which is, King of peace;
Heb 7:3 Without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life; but made like unto the Son of God; abideth a priest continually.
Num 16:49 Now they that died in the plague were fourteen thousand and seven hundred, beside them that died about the matter of Korah.
Num 16:50 And Aaron returned unto Moses unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation: and the plague was stayed.
Consider yourself as Moses or Aaron. You being the spokesmen, the intercessors between God and several million angry people. They could have destroyed Moses if it were not for the LORD protecting them. Moses obeyed and served God and God protected him from the crowd. As intercessor, Moses protected the crowd from God. Law and order came through enforcing the old covenant law. They were still slaves, living in the past, still complaining instead of walking by faith. The LORD would bless them if they would trust and obey.
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