Korah, Dathan and Abiram

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? 

                                                                                                                             

There was another rebellion against the leadership. Korah, Dathan and Abiram, were the leaders of this rebellion. They managed to garner two hundred and fifty men against Moses and Aaron. They complained that Moses had not only brought the congregation into a land "flowing with milk and honey," but he had also made himself a prince over the host, determining everything without consulting the heads of the tribes.

Korah, who was from the tribe of Levi, wanted the priesthood (verse 8-10). He wanted to hold the censer just like the priests. He was not contented to be servant to the priests. Perhaps, he considered the work of the Levites inferior as compared to the priesthood that Aaron and his sons had. He deemed it unfair that only Aaron and his two sons should have a position so much higher than the rest of the Levites.

Dathan and Abiram rejected the leadership of Moses. Even when they were summoned to gather to settle the issue, they refused to obey (verse 12).

The Aaronic priesthood was a divine choice. They had the approval from God. When they rebelled against the priesthood of Aaron, they were rebelling against God (verse 11). Moses was God’s chosen leader. When they rebelled against him, they were rebelling against God: “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 ” (Numbers 16:28).

The ambition of Korah was the more to be blamed because he was himself a Levite, and entrusted with a special ministry in holy things. But being an ambitious man, he could not rest, so long as there was in the camp any one greater than him. Therefore, he organised a band of conspirators and rebelled.

In all ages, there were challenges to leadership by men who refused to submit. In the New Testament, we read of a man called Diotrephes who loved the pre-eminence and rejected John the apostle (3 John 1:9).

Today, in politics and in companies, we read of challenges to leadership. Therefore, it shouldn’t come as a surprise if it happen in the church. What should the members do when men speak up against an eldership of the church?

1. Recognise that it is rebellion against God’s authority (Numbers 16:11).

2. Recognise that it is wickedness and to have no part in it (Numbers 16:26).

3. Recognise that it originates from men who were proud and have their own agenda (Numbers 16:10).

4. Recognise that God hates rebellion and will punish the wicked doers (Numbers 16:32-33; 1 Samuel 15:23).

5. Recognise that our Lord was submissive and obedient to the Father (Philippians 2:8).

6. Recognise that the Christian way is to obey those who rule (Hebrews 13:17).

7. Recognise that God hates those who sow discord among brethren (Proverbs 6:19).

8. Recognise that the Christian way is love and make peace (Romans 14:19).

Rebellion is never right. Let us follow the example of Christ in His humility, love, and submission.

Jimmy Lau

Psa 119:97  Oh how love I thy law! It is my meditation all the day.