Gibbs rule #51 “Sometimes, you’re wrong”. That pretty much sums up what happened here. These leaders were positive they were right….but they weren’t.
Read Numbers 16-17
The Kohathites were responsible for carrying the sacred furniture in the Tabernacle. They carried it, but they never looked at it…that’s because God instructed Aaron’s sons to cover everything and prepare it for transport before the Kohathites came in to carry it. God told Moses to take care of the Kohathites by making sure they didn’t see the holy things…if they did, they would die. Aaron’s sons could see them and not carry them – the Kohathites could carry them and not see them.
Having lived a fair number of years in ministry, I can tell you that this situation was serious. These are key leaders who are rebelling against Moses and Aaron, and they have the ear of the people. They are clearly jealous of Moses’ position and envious of what they perceive as his power to rule. Pride, lust for power, jealousy and envy…it’s a toxic combination.
My friends and I were discussing “crack” a day or two ago. One of them commented “who would have had the idea to mix battery acid and antifreeze and then inject it into yourself? Didn’t the people who died experimenting with the dosages trigger any warning that this is really dangerous and shouldn’t be trifled with?” These emotions I just mentioned are like a crack addition; a little creates a desire for more, and where a little causes you to see things incorrectly, more leads to a slow, humiliating and painful death. You wouldn’t think that after seeing someone addicted that anyone else would ever try crack…but there are more every day. it defies reason.
These 250 leaders are intoxicated with jealousy, etc. and it has caused them to behave irrationally. They have personally witnessed what happens when someone unauthorized offers incense before the Lord. (Leviticus 10:1-3) but they haven’t learned from it. Actually there have been at least a dozen examples that should have served to inform Korah that his assertion was wrong, but he doesn’t seem to have gained any insight from them. Further, he has made an argument so compelling that the whole community is now in full rebellion against Moses. Like I said before…this is serious.
I am struck by the humility and compassion of Moses here. It is no small thing to be able to plead for mercy for the very people who are trying to get you fired, or thrown out of office. It takes a genuine walk with the Lord…a personal relationship with the Savior to behave in this way. Moses reminds me here of how Jesus prayed for the very people who were persecuting him as He was being crucified. Luke 23:34.
This is a great example of how we should act when people oppose us. Moses understands that they aren’t rejecting him, they are rejecting God. That makes this God’s problem, not his. Because of that, he isn’t consumed by anger or embarrassment. There doesn’t seem to be any competing motives in Moses. He honestly wants only to do whatever God thinks is best. I think Moses was very concerned for the well-being of Korah (at this began… as it developed it seems that Moses divorced himself from any relationship with this toxic guy).
What do we learn at the end of the account? I note that “sometimes the leaders are wrong”. Sometimes the compelling argument that everyone in the community accepts is actually the wrong direction. And, could I softly add here that several assumptions about what God will accept with regard to gender identification and same sex relationships have become popular in the church. They have several vocal champions that make compelling arguments in favor of them. But following them can only lead to incurring God’s wrath.
The same could be said for any number of sacred practices that the Lord has given us to follow. Don’t be fooled by those who tell you that you can live any way that you want, do anything that you want..or that all religion is the same, or all religion is false. Don’t allow the final words of a false teacher draw you into a community of people that will soon perish because of God’s wrath. It serves us well to study and learn and make sure that we are behaving and believing what the Bible teaches. Beware of the insights that you cannot confirm with other passages of text. or that the larger body of Christ cannot adopt with you. God will never tell you to do something that is contrary to His Word.
I learn today how a true leader should behave. When he/she is opposed they shouldn’t make it personal, even though it often feels that way. They shouldn’t quietly step aside and allow the challenger to “dig his own grave” either. The true leader will plead for the lives of those who are under his care, while at the same time accepting any punitive measures that protect the majority of the flock from harm.
I also learn today that the battle is the Lord’s, not mine. The appropriate posture for me is to be on my face before God, not in the face of someone who is challenging me. It gives new meaning to the idea of “facing off”!
Faithfully,
PR