We need to be careful before we charge God with being cruel or unfair. The sons of Korah agree. On first reading, the judgment on Korah in swallowing him directly “into the pit” (Num 16:33) seems to have included “their households” (v 32). But such a judgment would be premature. When Moses warned the crowd, […]
There is only one place of safety. Everyone else is under “the wrath of God” (Jn 3:36). It’s time to put Korah’s boast to the test—that they have as much right to enter the tabernacle as the priests! Does God think so? “Every man took his censer, put fire in it, laid incense on it, […]
Read More… from September 12, 2022 — Showdown At The Tabernacle Door
Dathan and Abiram, didn’t you know? Being wrapped up in yourself makes a very small package. As Numbers 16 continues, Moses clarifies the issue. These rebels weren’t fighting against Moses! “You and all your company are gathered together against the Lord” (Num 16:11). He then called to meet with “Dathan and Abiram” (v 12) but […]
Read More… from September 9, 2022 — It’s All Your Fault, Moses!
Moses won’t argue for his God-given position, but he will give the rebels something to think about. So Korah and his complaining crowd had thrown down the gauntlet. Who do you think you are, Moses? they said in derision. “Why…do you exalt yourselves above the assembly of the Lord?” (Num 16:3). And Moses, the man […]
The situation described here is as current as issues faced in the church today, and just as volatile! Numbers 16 gives the story of a rebellion led by Korah. The malcontents had found a leader in this Levite. A grandson of Kohath, he therefore was a steward of the coverings (Num 4:4-15), responsible for guarding […]
Read More… from September 7, 2022 — Is It “Exalt Yourselves” Or “Humble Yourselves”?
God’s instruction makes good fashion sense. Heavenly blue is a great addition to any outfit. Between the execution of the sabbath-breaker (Num 15:32-36) and the rebellion of Korah (ch 16), we get a breather. Isn’t it great when you have the chance, in the midst of a busy day, to look up into the blue […]
From Numbers 14:26 through chapter 19, we have a historical hiatus. Just three events are noted. Between Israel’s sad failure at Kadesh and when the new generation appeared back at the same place 38 years later (Num 20:1), only three incidents are recorded. There is the stoning of a sabbath-breaker (15:32-36), the rebellion of Korah […]
Read More… from September 5, 2022 — The Presumptuous Rest-Breaker
God isn’t easily discouraged, is He? If He were, He wouldn’t have taken me on as a project! Anyone reading through the five books of Moses will turn to Numbers 15 and think, “Here we go again!” From verses 1-31, we again read directions for the different offerings the Israelites should bring to the Lord […]
Positive thinking is only slightly better than negative thinking if we still leave the Lord out of it. In spite of Caleb’s equation for success (the people + God = victory), the first battle for Canaan had been lost. Israel had been defeated—without the enemy lifting a sword. How? It happened between their ears, on […]
Read More… from September 1, 2022 — Two Little Equations: One Big Difference