Father, thank you for Gathering us as the family of God
together. Lord, we know that we all have
our own families and we celebrate Thanksgiving with
them. But Lord, here we are, is the
family of God in Christ, and we are thankful for your word
tonight, Lord. Because we know that this is
what feeds us and keeps us and sustains us and Lord.
If there's anybody in here, that does not know the saving power
of Jesus Christ. Even from numbers.
Lord, would you reveal yourself in Christ and Lord?
Save save some saved one. Lord to add to the family of
God. We know that your return is soon
though. We know that this Bible study is
not just to acquire information but to know how to live in light
of our Salvation And so Lord help us may you speak clearly
Lord into the hearts of every single.
One of us in this room in Jesus name we pray, amen.
Amen. Numbers chapter 16.
We are Ewing through the Wilderness journey of the
Israelites and what we've learned up to this point is that
it's the little things that can change.
The course of Our Lives Numbers. Chapter 14 is really the down
the beginning of the downhill spiral of the Israelites and
what did it begin with? What did it begin with it began
with complaining and oh, how far complaining can take someone, if
they do not know how to tame it by the power of the Holy Spirit.
And now we come to Numbers chapter 16 and we read the first
few verses to understand another cycle that they found themselves
in. And this time, it was something
that might seem so small and hidden but can like complaining
become so deadly and that is envy Envy as a root of
insecurity. Stemming from a place in which
one has placed our identity in something or someone else other
than God. And so we see now a division,
taking place amongst the people of God, because there are a
group of individuals that were coveting, something that didn't
belong to them. and just for the sake of reminder, look at verse
eight. When Moses is speaking to Cora
this chapter is known as korah's rebellion and look up.
Moses says this is such an insightful thing.
He brings about him and Moses said to Cora here.
Now you sons of Levi is it too small?
A thing for you is it too small? A thing that's where the problem
started for the sons of Korah. If you don't remember who the
sons of Korah were they are descendants of kohath.
And kohath, has been given the responsibility in this A of age
to transport the Tabernacle pieces from spot to spot.
That's a, that's a hefty Duty. That's a glorious duty to touch
the holy things and transport them.
Forgot to give somebody that that that's a special calling
but they have failed to realize the significance of it and they
saw their tasks as a small thing.
And any time you and I begin to see what God has given us the
capacity of our ministry or whatever.
Gifting is as a small thing, we are creating a breeding ground
for Envy covetousness and security and there's no end to
where that can take us. It's a dangerous cancer to the
soul. Envy jealousy is bitter.
Proverbs, tell us that wrath and anger is one thing, but who can
stand before jealousy? And so Cora.
Now recruits a gang of people to rebel against.
Not just Moses and Aaron but specifically Aaron and what he
was doing as a priest, we see that.
Look at the end here in verse 11, look what Moses says, he's
kind of figuring it out as they are giving their false
accusations. This is what is Aaron that you
Grumble against them. He realized that this is really
about these guys wanting to be priests.
Now, we have to remember this. This is important to frame it.
All Levi's, anybody that's from Levi, any levite.
It's not necessarily a priest. So you have Levites who are
instructed to work and around the Tabernacle, but the sons of
Aaron specifically were only to be priests the rest of the
Levites were given the task to assist the priests, but that
wasn't good enough for the sons of Korah, they want it to be the
priests themselves. And they really wanted to be
somewhere with the high priest specifically, because, look what
happens in verse 16. That's where we land off.
Now, the challenge comes from Moses.
To the sons of Korah. And Moses said, sikora be
present you and all your company before the Lord you and they and
Aaron tomorrow and let every one of you take his sensor and put
incense on it and every one of you bring before the Lord, his
sensor 250 sensors. You also an errand each his
sensor So, here was a challenge. The next day you guys are really
want to become priests. Bring your sensors before the
Lord. Now why?
Why? That of all things.
What's the idea behind Moses giving this instruction to the
sons of Korah? What's the idea of a sensor?
What does that have to do with all that we're talking about?
Anybody have an idea. Think back, think back to that,
the role of a priest. Well, there's only really one
place that gives instruction of what the high priest was to do
with the sensor and Leviticus 16 12 and what the high priest was
to do is once a year on what day once a year on the day of
atonement, he was to go into the most.
Holy place with a sensor and with a coal on it to create a
cloud to cover the Ark of the Covenant, less that priest dies.
So that that sensor belongs only to one man, for one day.
And I says, though, Moses are saying if you really want to
become a high priest, bring your sensors come into the presence
of God and let's see who's God's going to choose for this task?
Here's the thing that we need to understand, we don't have to
fall into the same trap as Cora in the New Covenant.
Do you know why Cora wanted that?
I want to be that high priest that goes into the most holy
place you and I don't have to covet or fall into that sin.
You know why? Because we all have access to
the presence of God, We all have the ability to come into the
most, holy place, because Jesus tore the Veil.
And so, you know what that means for all of us, no matter what
you do, whether you hold a microbe room, you know what that
means? You don't have to fall into this
Rebellion. I don't have to fall into this
Rebellion because you and I are all on the same level.
We all have access to the presence of God is that not our
ultimate Pursuit. The only way you can find
yourself here is, if you are pursuing anything other than
God, And so he says, okay, do you want to be priests, you
bring your sensors and let's come before the Lord.
And let's see what the Lord says unless you who the Lord chooses.
So we see in verse 19, then Korra all this.
Now it's getting Troublesome. Then Cora assembled all the
congregation against them at the entrance of the tent of meeting,
and the glory of the Lord appeared to all the
congregation. You don't want to be found and
willful Disobedience. When the free of God shows up.
The glory of the Lord, comes verse 20, and the Lord spoke to
Moses. And to Aaron saying, separate
yourselves from among this congregation that, I may consume
them in a moment. So the Lord addresses Moses and
Aaron and it seems as though Cora was successful in
recruiting the entire congregation to rebel against
this Authority. And the Lord says, move out of
the way. Let me take care of them.
It will only take a second. And I see something here because
when we went back to Numbers Chapter 12 we found Aaron under
the same indictment with his sister.
When they criticized Moses and his authority in the past and
the same God that was ready to judge.
Aaron in. That moment was the same God
that is now defending him. You see that the Lord is now in
the defense of Aaron. Why?
Because Aaron realizes wrong. And now he's in the right.
And God does not hold our past sins against us.
That's a beautiful truth. The Lord doesn't come and say
are and look what you did. Look at you and your sister to
look at the example that you let.
No, no, he doesn't do any of that, he never holds what you've
done in the past against you. You know what it says in the
scriptures that he will not, remember our sins anymore.
Do you think God just erases it from his memory of what you and
I have done in the past? Is that what happens when he
says in Hebrews, that he will not remember our sins anymore.
When the authors quoting? Jeremiah And your sins.
Will I remember no more, you know, it doesn't mean that he
forgets. It means that he chooses not to
use it against you. That's what it means.
Forgot to forget means that he loses his omniscience.
It's not the case. And that's what forgiveness is
for us. We don't forgive and forget.
I know that's a fabulous phrase that we use all the time but
it's not biblical. You can't forget, that's asking
something of us, that's not possible.
But what we do is even though it's been a traumatic
experience, we choose not to use that against you.
I choose not to use that against you choose, not to use that
against me. So the Lord here who came to a
place with Aaron. Ready to discipline his.
Now defending him now using his past against him.
Praise be to God. And so he says, Aaron Moses move
out of the way I can do this. Something happens, verse 22, and
they fell on their faces and said the amount of times that
these men especially Moses have done this.
Oh God. The god of the spirits of All
Flesh. Shall one man?
Sin and will you be angry with all the congregation?
And the Lord spoke to Moses saying, say to the congregation
get away from the dwelling of Korah dathan and abiram.
What do you take out of those verses?
Anything that sticks out there are many things that stick out.
Yeah. so if there's one lesson I can take out of this up to this
point in Exodus and numbers, There's one truth that you and I
must understand is that God is willing to relent and judging a
person or a People based on the prayer of one individual.
How many times has God relented on judging this People based on
one person as a reflux, who knew how to fall on his face and get
before the Lord on behalf of even those that are rebelling
against him. As the leader, it is a powerful
picture of intercession and the power of it.
How many How many times have we seen this?
And what is that saying to us is surely the scriptures want to
teach us something in an indirect manner, That the prayer
of a righteous man is surely effective.
Surely effective and I don't understand how this thing prayer
Works in terms of how when I pray for somebody salvation or I
pray for somebody's well I don't know how God does that when it
comes to his sovereignty and Man's Free Will.
But if there's one conclusion, I can make from the scriptures
when it relates to a man praying for whether it's an unbeliever,
a Christian, whose backs. And if there's one truth that we
can take out of this, it's this that when we pray God is willing
to relent and acting in. Me.
Think of Abraham and lot think of all the moments in scripture,
when a person prays that God is willing to answer that Prayer by
holding back on acting in a way that would be unfortunate for
that person. Keep praying for that family
member. Keep praying for your son.
Keep praying for your daughter. Keep praying for your siblings.
Keep praying for your parents. You never know what your prayers
are doing in terms of God's dealing with them holding back,
the powers of Hell of consuming that person and letting them
slip into an eternity eternity without Christ.
Keep praying. Moses and Aaron drop to their
knees. They come to the place where
they cry out to the Lord. And they say Lord shall one man
sin and all the people pay for it.
Now, the whole congregation has been rallied up though, so they
are in the wrong. But there is a lesson here in
understanding. How sin works, though.
All of these individuals that are standing against God are in
trouble with God. There is a greater
responsibility, placed upon the person who enticed and tempted
those to sin. So, the person being tempted, is
not as much in trouble as a person who was the tempter.
This is not an old Covenant thing.
This is very much New Testament in Luke 17 one where Jesus says
temptation is surely to come, but woe to those from whom it
comes. It's better that he take a
millstone that's a grinding thing, a rock that grinds things
wrap it around his neck and be thrown into the sea then to
cause these little ones to sin. So the idea there is Temptation,
surely to come, but it is a scary thing, if you're the
source of that Temptation, and you are the hook that's bringing
somebody. D into a decision.
That is contrary to the will of God.
And so Cora and his band that started in verse 1 or under a
greater indictment than those who have been recruited.
So they are praying for God to have mercy upon mainly those who
have been duped into Rebellion Look at verse 24 and do you
notice a detail? And we talked about it last week
but I wonder if anybody remembers look at these names
and see if you remember what we talked about briefly last week,
say to the congregation get away from the dwelling of Korah,
dathan and abiram. Sandy.
There's somebody missing, right? Look at verse 1 of 16 Cora.
The son of Levi dathan and abiram.
And who else was there on the son of telleth?
Somebody bailed out. And good for him and he did it
way. Back in verse 12, Moses sent to
called dathan and abiram, after you spoke to Cora and on
realized something, maybe I got duped into this thing.
In the beginning, I got tricked, I got caught up in the gossip,
got caught up in this idea of taking over the priesthood, but
I'm going to step out. And guess what?
The Lord doesn't do. He doesn't hold it against him.
And we talked about this last week that even if that seed of
envies in her heart, if that seed of pride is in there, if
that seed of rebellion, we see it in its larvae state.
As long as we are willing to deal with it in that moment and
not let it act up and bear fruit in our lives.
God is willing to be gracious to us.
That's what happens here, on steps away and we don't hear of
him or see of him. After this moment, it's a
beautiful picture of a person coming to their senses and we're
going to see that even more with a different kind of people.
So what happens here, Moses Rose and went to dathan and abiram,
and verse 25, and the Elders of Israel, followed him.
So, the elders. Now followed these leaders the
same Elders that were anointed at the Spirit, just a few
chapters earlier. Now, come alongside the
authority that Has been accused falsely and look, what Moses
does. He spoke to the congregation
saying depart please in the King James.
I pray you from the tents of these wicked men and touch
nothing of. There's less you be swept away
with all their sins. So they got away from the
dwelling of Korah dathan and abiram.
Whenever you and I partner with a divisive person or people it
is a guarantee for self-destruction.
I'll say that one more time whenever you and I partner with
a divisive person or people that is intentionally stirring up
something to cause a split to cause type of uproar It is a
guarantee for self-destruction in your spiritual life.
Let's go to 3rd, John. That little letter right before
the book of Jude, right before the Book of Revelation.
The early church had to deal with this.
I've said this before, but I'll say it again.
Oftentimes, and I've said it as well, we say, Lord make us like
the book of Acts. We have a source of what part
would be very specific. I think what we want is the book
of Acts before chapter 5, because after chapter five
things, get kind of ugly. And we almost think that the
early church did not have to deal with issues when in
specific moments. They actually had to deal with
bigger issues than we're dealing with today.
Just read 1st Corinthians and you think that's a church.
We come to third John, and we see something in which the
Apostle of Love is writing out to and look here in verse 9.
I have written something to the church, but the ultra fists who
likes to put himself first, does not acknowledge our Authority.
So if I come, I will bring up what he is doing talking Wicked
nonsense against us and not content with that.
He refuses to welcome, the brothers and also stops those
who want to and puts them out of the church.
So here's his fellow named diotrephes who is clearly
causing trouble. Who's clearly trying to dismiss
the authority of the Apostles. And he seems like he's trying to
take lead and call the shots and the place.
How does somebody get to that place?
Where they can kick people, whoever they want and bring in
whoever they want and is speaking Wicked nonsense to the
rest of the members about the leaders.
That have preached, the gospel to them and planted, these
churches and appointed Elders. It all starts with the
description of the orifice. This is how it all starts, who
likes to put himself first, and the King James says, who desires
preeminence See if our hearts come to that place.
An alarm has to go off whenever we desire to be first whether
that's in position and recognition and admiration
whatever it is when we want to be number one in a way where we
receive praise and we want that Authority in our hands and God
has not given it to us. We have to be careful.
The artifice is not operating in the spirit of Christ.
Diotrephes is operating in the spirit of Satan hundred percent
you say how In Isaiah 14, you have to turn there.
But in Isaiah 14 there's a little excerpt of a description
of Satan's fall. And Isaiah 14, and Isaiah 14:14
is, specifically sends I will Ascend to the heavens and I will
be like the most high. So you don't want that Spirit.
Satan wanted to do. He wanted to go high.
I want to go as high as I can. I want to be in the top.
I want to be like God, I want to come to a place where I sit on
God's Throne, where people recognize and worship me.
That is the literal opposite spirit in which Christ operating
when you want Christ said, and his description of Philippians
2:5 that he went low, He became a servant, he went the opposite
direction. He humbled himself.
And so Isaiah 14. It shows us the direction that
Satan's heart. Wasn't, I want to go as high as
possible. I want everyone to see me.
I want everyone to recognize. I want everybody.
Jesus says, I want to come as low as possible.
So low that I'm going to take a towel and wipe the feet of dirty
men. And this is what we have to ask
ourselves every single day. Lord, what direction does my
heart? Go into?
Where is it wanting to go into today?
The artifice had the unfortunate.
Position here where he was called out by leader to say
because you wanted to be first, look at the Havoc that you're
causing the assembly. Here's another verse Titus,
Chapter 10, excuse me, verse 10 of chapter 3, As for a person
who stirs up the vision after warning him once, and then twice
have nothing more to do with him.
And I want to read this because you can you can almost hear what
I just said and say are you. That's kind of heavy for to say
that a person who is divisive is destructive.
I'm not saying that this is Bible language, Titus 310 have
nothing to do with him. This is this is the same call
that Moses making, guys, get away from the tents of these
men. Why?
Knowing that such a person is Warped and sinful, he's
self-condemned. The church is the body of
Christ. And for a person to come to the
body of Christ and attempt to rip apart the body.
Think of that imagery to rip apart the body to remove members
from the unified thing that Christ has created?
According to God is Warped and self-condemned.
So, the artifice was coveting, something that was not his and
even if a person we almost, were almost hearing something like
this, and it almost gives a one up for those that are in
authority to think that they can Lord it over people because of
the position that they've been given.
Listen, any spiritual leader in your local church, including
this one has no Authority in your personal life.
Their Authority has been given by God to manage to watch over
to secure the church, the local church.
And give instruction and exhortation concerning your walk
with the Lord, but there is no permission for any Spiritual
Authority to begin to tell you what to do against your will and
manipulate you. No, no, that's not what
authorities about any time. You see a Authority given in
scripture? It's not just leader.
It's always servant leader. Always they come to serve you.
Not lorded over you. That's what Peter told the
elders and first Peter 5, let's come back to Numbers chapter 16.
Get away from the tents verse 27.
So they got away from the dwelling of Korah dathan and
abiram and dathan and abiram. Now, look at their posture.
So, these guys run and you would think at this point that, these
people would be convicted enough to repent know.
It says that they came out and stood at the door of their tents
together with their wives, their sons and their little ones.
So everybody else have been to them.
But here's my family and they're standing in defiance of God's
Authority saying pretty much with this position, this
posture, Bring It On. Bring It On.
They stood at their tents and Moses said, here, by now, Moses
about to give something in which the people of God would not
think what's about to happen was by mere coincidence.
He's about to lay out a specific scenario in which the people
will know that he and Aaron have not exalted themselves to this
position of leadership, but God has appointed them to such a
call. And so what does he say?
If these guys as paraphrase, if these guys right here that are
rebelling if they die a natural death then we appointed
ourselves and were in the wrong but look how specific this is
but if the Lord opens up the Earth and swallowed them, you'll
know that we've been called now, if you are Cora, A buyer more
dathan at this point. Surely you should be trembling
but no they've allowed their hearts to come to such a state
in which even a threat such like this.
There's not move them. And you know what, I think at
this point, they didn't really have much of a choice because
once Moses finishes his sentence, it happened.
What does it say here? Verse 29.
If these men dies, all men die, or if they are visited by the
fate of all mankind than the Lord has not sent me, but if the
Lord creates something new and the ground opens its mouth and
swallows them up with all that belongs to them and they go down
alive at the she'll then you shall know that these men have
despised the Lord verse 31 as soon as he had finished
speaking. All these words, it happened.
Who are the two men that went to heaven alive?
You know, and Elijah and behold. You have the first people that
went to Sheila live, the sons of Korah, rather the Cora.
The sons of Korah, we're going to see what happened to them.
Korah dathan and abiram, went to she ol, the Underworld the grave
alive. And everybody saw it.
Everybody witnessed it. So look how the scribes and
verse 31, the ground under them, split apart, and the Earth
opened its mouth and swallowed them up with their households
and all the people who belong to Cora and all their goods,
literally everything. So they came to a place where
they stood against Moses and Aaron with their families and a
posture of pride. And got a humbles, those who are
proud and their Elite wipe them off the face of the Earth
without exaggeration. Close the Earth.
It makes them disappear from the scene.
The intensity of this, this judgment just shows how much God
hates Division, I believe, and how much God hates rebellion and
how much God hates a people that are seeking something that's not
theirs. And began to cause trouble
because of it. This chapter does not describe
something that we see later on because it says all their
households and all their goods. Now you have to go to Numbers
chapter 26, to see a little detail.
That changes the whole course of the story.
Numbers chapter 26. Let's read from verse 10.
This is just retelling the story here and there's one added
detail that is so beautiful. And the Earth opened its mouth
and swallowed them up together with Cora.
When that company died, when the fire devoured, 250 men and they
became a warning. Look at verse 11, but the sons
of Korah did not die. What is that mean?
We don't see that in Numbers chapter 16.
We see in Numbers chapter 26 and it shines a whole new light on
the story and what's that light? Merci.
Absolutely Mercy on God's part, wisdom on the sons of Korah
part. So that little verse the sons of
Korah did not die changes how this scene really plays out in
our minds this and not because what I read here in Numbers,
chapter 16 is the earth splits, open Korah, dathan a Byron, all
their house with all their Goods, close Verse 11 tells us
that somebody didn't go into sheol and that was the sons of
Korah. So it repaints, the whole scene
in this is the scene. You go back to verse 16 down,
specifically, verse 25, 26 27. Moses comes and he tells the
whole congregation listen, depart from the dwellings of
Korah dathan, abiram, get out of here.
You don't want to be a part of this group.
You don't want to be a part of this device of people and we see
that the whole congregation moves but you know who else
moves the sons of Korah. Ah, So this is what it looks
like you, have Korah dathan the byrom with their families and
when Moses makes the call, the sons of Korah are looking at
their families. Looking at Moses, looking at
their families. Looking at Moses, they look at
their dads and say dad's we love you, but we love God more.
And they step away. From the dwellings of wickedness
and perhaps, that's what the sons of Korah had in mind in
Psalms, 84 10. Where it says, what?
I'd rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than to
dwell in the tents of weakness. What does that mean in light at
this? The house of their own father's
that rebelled against Authority? As a lot more deeper, meaning
there's a not we have that truth generally understand.
I'd rather be with with the Lord and his house then to be
anywhere else in the world. But let's look at it
specifically, I'd rather be with the Lord then with my family.
I'd rather be for God and lose everything else, including my
dad, that raised me up and all the possessions that they
blessed us with, that means nothing in light of honoring.
God, That's significant. Now we read them, we go that's a
great Insight but now feel it feel the text.
You have sons of a family that walked away and saw their entire
household swallowed up by the Earth.
Standing in a place of absolute, awe and Terror.
Shirley But God bless that. God bless that. because I
believe based on that one decision, Well, we see later on
in the narrative, specifically with the sons of Korah is quite
astounding. So, as much as this site is so
terrifying. As our brother mentioned, we
also see the tender mercy of God, I praise God, that he does
not with take the wickedness or the sinfulness of our past
generations, and bestowed upon us even as close as your fathers
or mothers that might not be serving God.
That might be rebelling against God.
He doesn't take what they're doing and pin it against you.
He judges each man, according to his own sins.
But this act of allegiance to God was honored by God.
If you read carefully and see what God does with the sons of
Korah. So turn your Bibles with me to
me. Be a place where we would admit.
We would kind of skip over genealogy and First Chronicles
chapter 6. Meet me in first Chronicles
chapter 6. To see something quite
astounding. Verse 31, these are the men whom
David put in charge of the service of song in the house of
the Lord. After the ark rested there, he's
about to describe. Now, the worship leaders that
have been chosen by David, to sing continually in the service
of worship in song. In the Tabernacle, they
ministered with song before the Tabernacle, the tent of meeting
until Solomon, built the house of the Lord in Jerusalem and
they performed their service, according to their order.
Now, look at this list. These are the men who served and
And their sons of the sons of the coefficients.
She meant the singer of the son of Joel.
Now, look at this. Son of Samuel son of elkanah.
Which Samuel are we? Speaking of here?
Which Samuel? We speaking of you, the prophet.
Who was a descendant of Cora. And so you have God in the days
of Hannah, Eli the high priest when there was such a pasta
seen, apathy amongst specifically the spiritual
leaders. And God is looking for a profit.
God is looking for a spokesperson.
God is looking for a man, that was established righteousness
and Justice in the land and, you know, who he doesn't bypass,
because of their history Cora. He finds a man from The
Descendant of the sons of Korah and chooses him to be a
messenger and representative of him.
And not just that, not just Samuel the prophet. realize that
one of the main, People, for the worship of the Tabernacle was a
descendant of Cory. You see that?
At the end of verse 37, look at verse 37.
See that name their Cora, son of Cora.
You trace these names back at all, goes back to Korra and it
says specifically in verse 31, that David chose himin who was a
worship leader, descendant of Cora to have such an awesome
responsibility at the service of the Tabernacle.
David could have chose whoever he wanted amongst the Levites.
He could have ignored Korra and the lineage, and the genetic
genealogy in the heritage, of course, that he carried.
But no, he sees Cora a descendant of him though, it's
distant chooses them. You re later on his second
chronicles, you see that there is a group of Cora people from
Cora. Worshiping the Lord, you see in
Psalms that 11, Psalms in the psalter have been written by the
sons of Korah. And you think David chose This
man to be a leader. Of the songs.
I think to myself, why did David choose that?
And I don't want to read too much into David's thoughts. but
perhaps though, distant from what we read in number 16,
Perhaps David had an understanding.
Of the sons of Korah. That they would make great
worship leaders. Because I one point in their
history that the sons of Korah, make a stance for God that they
would rather choose God even over their own blood family,
that they would rather choose God, that have the security of
whatever they were rather choose God, no matter what position
that they've been given. And perhaps David said, you know
what They displayed something in contrast to their fathers.
I think they would make great song leaders.
Willing to step out in anything and for anything for the glory
and honor of God. Maybe David had that Revelation
when choosing leaders and choosing servants, Those make
the best worshippers whether in song or any type of service,
when those people have already determined in their hearts, take
it any take anything away from you.
Take my own family away from me, I'm still going to serve him.
I'm still going to love him. As terrifying as it might be to
be separate, even from my loved ones, if it's for the Lord, I'm
going to do it. Those are the most effective
Servants of God. Those are the ones that when
they when they truly lead and when they truly serve, you know
that they're doing it ever love for God.
Maybe David didn't recruit them though.
Skill is important though Talent is important.
There's something deeper in the sons of Korah a Devotion to God
that was rare. We see that in the Psalms that
we not one of the most intimate, Psalms one of the most
heartfelt, the voted Psalms concerning relationship to God
and sacrifice to God and searching for God, is from the
sons of Korah and I believe because it's come from a place
in which they've already determined within, God is
Worthy. You give or take away this in
matter. Here's an example.
Psalms 46. You can turn there if you want
but it's so known. I'm sure as I read it, you'll
know it. God is our refuge and strength.
A very present help in trouble. Now, look at the description of
this. Maybe, maybe, maybe this is the
image that the sons of Korah had though.
They weren't there at the time of writing this, we don't know
when it was written but maybe this image from number. 16 came
to mine when they wrote Psalms 46 specially in this one line.
God is our refuge and strength. A very present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear though.
The Earth gives way. Though the mountains be moved
into the heart of the sea, though, its Waters Roar and foam
though the mountains tremble at its swelling.
Is it possible that the sons of Korah thought of their history?
When at one point Cora rebelled and the Earth gave way and
swallow them up? And surely the people, the sons
were fearful of such a sight but they trusted in God who was The
Refuge and strength. It's a thought.
But oh those who go to Great Lengths to show their Allegiant
and express their Devotion to God.
In spite of all things, they make great worshippers And
worship leaders. So, we come back to number 16.
And we read verse 35. So you have Korah dathan and
abiram swallowed up by the Earth and then you have those 250
Chief leaders that came with their sensors and what does God
do while he dealt with the first ones by letting them go down?
And for the second group, he let something come from heaven and
fire came out from the Lord and consumed.
The 250 men offering the incense that shows me one thing in that
one verse that God rejects the worship of those people who are
divisive Thus, they came with her incense, which is a form of
worship and God consumed them in Flames because God is not
interested in receiving worship from those that are trying to
divide his people. What happens verse. 36 God takes
advantage of this moment in his Mercy.
Gives instruction for his people concerning generations to come
because he knows something about the human nature that we are
bound to repeat the same mistakes that we've made even
though it costs very much. So he tells Eliezer this
analyzer. Take those sensors that were
consumed with those men and build something with it.
Hammer it out and make it covering And what this covering
will do is will be placed upon the altar of burnt sacrifices.
And what that will do is continually remind the people of
what happened in this day, for the rest of the Wilderness
journey and the rest of time, that's what it says in verse 40.
Look at verse 42. Be a reminder to the people of
Israel so that no Outsider who is not of the descendants of
Aaron. Should draw near to burn incense
before the Lord, lest he become like Korah and his company.
As a lord said to him through Moses.
In order to preserve the Purity and the Holiness of my people
again, the people are in need of another visual aid.
The first one, we read a numbers. 15 was what these
tassels that will remind him of The Commandments of God.
Now he brings this golden plate thing, this covering for the for
the burnt offering Altar. And he says they're going to see
that and they're gonna remember now how much more will the
people who are kohathites remember as they carry that
thing. Remember their instructor at the
carry the furniture and so they would remember as they Carry
that thing. Oh, gosh.
We're going to stick to this responsibility, thankful for it.
To be a reminder. You know what God's wisdom is in
preserving your Holiness and mind and longevity.
To not just learn from our own failures but to learn from the
failures of others. That's wisdom.
Wisdom does not just Express itself when I realized my
failures and learn from them, wisdom goes beyond that.
Wisdom looks at other people who have fallen not in judgment, not
in criticism, not in self-righteousness.
But realizes like Galatians 6:1 says that if your brother Falls
don't be careful, lest you too be tempted by the same
Temptation. When you see someone fall, when
you see something happen in another person's life, learn
from their failures and ask God In Prayer as God and wisdom to
protect you from such a thing yourself.
That's what he's doing. This is God's wisdom.
You need to be reminded people of Israel that you don't fall
into the same trap, because I know the human heart more than
you do. So God is acting and Mercy by
giving this out and you would think, okay, we're ready to move
Israel, you're ready to move, we're ready to go.
We can move on here. Let's learn from our mistakes.
Let's not do that. Let's be content and what God's
given us? Happy Thanksgiving verse 41.
But on the next day, you have got to be kidding me.
You have got to be kidding me, but on the next day, all the
congregation of the people of Israel grumbled against Moses
and against Aaron saying, you have killed the people of the
Lord. Like, not even two days.
Not even a week. The conference.
Hi didn't even last 24 hours. And what a conference that was
that would be an interesting conference when the earth
swallows up some people. Go back and see here.
In verse 34 and I wonder why that wasn't preserved till the
next day and all Israel who are around them fled at their cry
for they said less the Earth swallow us up.
So the Earth swallows up these men and their families and you
what the people do? They scatter and scream at the
top of their lungs. Unless the Earth swallows up and
then the next day they go, you killed the people of the Lord.
That tells you. And I something about the human
heart, that no matter, how wonderful, unfortunately, even
terrifying, God displays his majesty in his glory.
It takes a supernatural transformation of the human
heart to bring a true change. One day men and you're accusing
and you've identified them wrongly.
The people of the Lord, we're going to find out that he calls
them Rebels God. Cause these men Rebels, and they
identified, you killed the people of the Lord.
And you're accusing the true people of God.
Who are acting like it as least. You have killed the people of
the Lord. What happens when the
congregation is assembled against Moses and against Aaron,
they turn towards the tent of meeting and behold.
Here we go, the cloud covered it, and the glory of the Lord
appeared, And what happens verse 45, the Lord says, get away from
the midst of this congregation that.
I may consume them in a moment. And the Lord meant it.
They fell on their faces and Moses knew that something had
broken out. A plague had broken out and so
intense, was this plague, look at the language.
He tells Aaron to do what to quickly go.
Grab an incense to go into the midst of the camp to make
atonement for the people that plague has begun at the end of
verse 46. And how this Aaron react.
Aaron. Took it as Moses said and ran
into the midst of the assembly. And the plague had already begun
among the people. I believe that this happened in
a matter of seconds that by the time the Lord said this was
going to happen. And by the time you got errand
to run into the midst of the camp, it was a matter of
seconds, very few minutes. The most and you know what
happened in a matter of that short time frame.
Look how many people died verse 49 on those who died in the
plague were 14,700. The Lord really meant in a
moment. Just a matter of few seconds.
He would, he just almost 15,000 people were wiped off by plague.
You know, what Aaron does? He runs in grace and mercy to
make atonement for the people. He does not wait a moment.
He does it as quick as possible, and he comes to place where he
stands in the gap for these people and God sees his act.
And he honors it. And the people were spared Then
we come to chapter 17 as we close.
God, I said teach his people again so what does he do?
We're not going to read it, but I'll explain it.
He says this is what's going to happen.
In order for you to realize that I've truly chosen Moses and
Aaron you take a staff from each of your tribesmen, every leader,
bring a staff, from every tribe. And when it comes to new
bringing those staffs write the name of the chief on that staff.
Aaron's name is going to be written on the staff dedicated
to Levi and when you bring it, lay them all.
Before the tent of meeting. Lay It All Before, the, the
testimony and what happens, I'm going to show you through this.
Then when I make a specific staff Bud, it will be the
signal. It will be the sign that I've
chosen. This person to be high priest,
and for his descendants to be priests.
So, what happens in verse 8, on the next day, Moses went into
the tent of testimony, behold, the staff of Aaron, and the
house of Levi had sprouted and put forth Buds and produce
blossoms and bore almonds. So, it happens.
He chooses to teach him in this way, look at the stats and they
bring their staffs to the men, each of them, hold it.
And they realize, okay, I'm not supposed to be the priest.
God will defend your ministry if you're truly called by God, If
you've truly been called to a specific thing, you don't need
to defend yourself. God will make it known to
others. That he has called you to
specific tasks and if God has not called you to specific tasks
and you attempt to go into that lane fruitfulness will not come
out of it. Ask the Lord to give you the
grace to understand that your identity is not in this ministry
but that he's called you to it nonetheless and to stay in that
lane and fruit will come out of it.
It's better for fruit to come out of the ministry that God's
called you to then out of weird insecurities or whatever is
going on to step into another Lane not experience fruit.
And this is the miracle that it didn't just bud, but it fully
Blossom went through all the stages overnight and almonds
came out of it. They brought it to the man and
he says, put it in the ark of the testimony put in the Ark of
the Covenant for what reason as a sign for the rebels.
That you may make an end of their grumbling against me.
This is verse 10, lest they die. Thus Moses didn't Lord commanded
him. So he did take that staff and
it's added. So, what items do we have in the
Ark of the Covenant up to this point?
The stop, the tablets Manna, three things, three things.
Now, if there's any other picture that we can get out of
this, it is the power of the Living God, how because he took
these dead branches, which were staffs.
And he brought life to something that was dead.
He made something as though it was connected to a Life Source
though it was not this staff. That was dried up many.
Many months ago is now something that is blossoming and fruitful
and fragrant it speaks. Of resurrection power that God
can bestow and listen as amazing as it is that he did it with his
stick. You know what it is in the New
Covenant, you and me. Thank God, takes you and I were
dead in our trespasses and sins. And what does he do?
He infuses life. So that what was known as dead
to me and to the world to you and to the world.
Now, produces life, produces life.
And we need to know how to tap into that resurrection power,
and it's flooded throughout the New Testament.
That stick did not produce anything on its own to produce
fruit, it relied completely on God, you and I need to do the
same. And the devil would love to rob
that Revelation from you and I more than anything.
Do you know how he did it? Even in a subtle way you say how
turn to 1st Kings? chapter 8, First Kings chapter
8, This is when the temple built by Solomon was dedicated and
they had brought in the Ark of the Covenant.
When they brought in the Ark of the Covenant, there's a little
commentary and what happened to these elements that we just
confessed were in the ark? Look with me here in verse 9.
Let's go to verse 7, for the cherubim spread out, their wings
over the place of the arc so that the cherubim overshadowed,
The Arc of its pole. And its poles, and the poles
were so long that the ends of the polls were seen from the
holy place before the inner Sanctuary that they could not be
seen from outside and they are there to this day.
Verse 9, there was nothing in the ark except the two tablets
of stone that Moses put there with the people at Horeb were
the Lord, I made a covenant with the people of Israel when they
came out of the land of Egypt. So after this place in Israel's
history, Something had happened to two of those items, the Manna
was removed. And so is that the staff by
Aaron that was budded and the only thing that was left, there
was the law. How did that happen?
many speculations, I believe this part that something
happened between The days of first Samuel chapter 1, 2 and 3
were Eli. Was the high priest and the
Philistines came in and took the ark and was brought back by
David under his Reign, something happened in that time, and I
believe that the Philistines removed it, Because it's the
only explanation they were there before the Philistines took it,
and then once the Philistines removed it and then brought it
back. This is speculation.
This isn't dogmatic. But it's a thought that when
they brought it back, it's not there anymore.
When Solomon was dedicated to Temple its commentary, the only
thing that's left there is the law.
The enemy took mana and the enemy took the rod and left the
law. Of all things.
Because the enemy would love to rub the law in our face.
To show us how we do fall short. God does the yes to show us that
we need the gospel? But you know what?
He removed the rod that speaks of power, the rod that speaks of
how God can change something, that's dead, and bring it to
life. He does the same today with so
many people to do, everything in your own strength and mine.
And to attempt to keep God's Commandments without that power
and to do it in our own strength.
You will experience true misery. I will experience true misery
when we fail to realize that what God has given us was
intended to be obeyed with his power.
With his grace, with his assistance.
That his Commandments are not burdensome only when we know to
rely upon him to walk it out. And that's what we need to do.
It's a second thought to this main thought that up to this
point out in numbers, things have calmed down in relationship
to the authority that God has established for the people of
Israel. So many things can be pulled out
of this study, but what concluded with this thought,
going back to the sons of Korah what a wonderful thing that God
has given us through these men. Who have come to a place where
they realize. Just think about it.
I'm sure they did not think in their minds when they step back
from their families. Oh God is going to really use me
now. I'm sure that then a run through
their minds that God is going to give me a specific assignment
down in history through my general.
I'm sure that did not come. In fact, God did not say
anything. He said it with the Levites when
they when they step back and exodus 32 says, now I'm going to
use you, I'm going to use you as priest.
He didn't say anything to the sons of Korah.
It just came down the road which says something about sons of
court to some degree. but in that moment, they just They just
wanted to make a statement to the Lord.
I want you above all else. I choose to obey you even if it
costs me my family. It's a beautiful thought and
it's something that we should really meditate upon.
And as we end with the idea of core on the sons of Korah, let's
ask the Lord to be able to confidently.
Say I rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God.
I rather be a doorkeeper and the house of my God, better is one
day in your courts and a thousand elsewhere.
That is coming from a that's not coming from just any lip that's
coming from a descendant of someone who actually lived it.
And actually paid the price for it.
And true Ministry with its authenticity.
And Effectiveness comes from a place where it's lived out.
And not just said, May we get there by the grace of God by his
power. Not our own.
Let's pray. Lord, we thank you for your
word. Got our hearts come alive, at
the revelation of the scriptures.
When we realize Lord that you are speaking loud and clear even
from numbers. And Lord, this is our hearts
desire. To express our allegiance to
you. Whatever costs, Lord.
And where we want to do that even now.
Thank you for your Tender Mercies.
Thank you that with the same errand that you were ready to
discipline. You defended.
Thank you. That with the sons of Korah,
though, their Heritage in their fathers did not exemplify true
Devotion to God. You rewrote their story.
Thank you. That we have resurrection power.
That you can take any deadness in our lives and bring it to
life in Christ. Lord, we worship you in light of
this. In your name, we pray.
Amen.