Through the Wilderness

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Through the Wilderness

• The Rebellion of Korah (Numbers 16)

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KORAH

• Son of Izhar, son of Kohath, son of Levi
• Cousin of Moses and Aaron (Ex. 616-20)
• Allied with Dathan, Abiram, and On
• All camped on south side of tabernacle

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KORAH

• Also with 250 representative of people, men of
  renown

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Sons of Kohath

• Actual priesthood only in family of Aaron (Ex.
  281 299, 44 Lev. 8-9 Num. 31-4)
• Others from tribe of Levi served in tabernacle
  (Num. 35-13)
• Son of Kohath (Num. 327-32) had important
  duties (41-20)
• Instructions were clear, understandable but men
  will want more/change/own way

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Korahs Challenge (163)

• Take too much upon yourselves
• Accusation of power-grabbing
• All the congregation is holy
• Equal status equal roles
• Why exalt yourselves above the congregation
• Position of human authority

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Moses Response (164-11)

• The Lord will show who is His
• Seek divine authority for answer
• You take too much upon yourselves
• Challenge Gods choice and purpose
• Are you seeking the priesthood also
• Usurp authority not given by God
• Youare gathered together against the Lord
• Problem is with God, not men

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Further Challenge (1612-14)

• We will not come up
• Refusal to meet and discuss differences
• Youkeep acting like a prince over us
• Accusation of self-willed leadership
• You have not brought us into a land
• Accusation of failure and unfitness
• Will you put out the eyes of these men
• Accusation of blinding men to the truth

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Similar Sounds Today

• Accusations of overbearing legalists when
  appealing to authority of Bible
• Things need changing church, elders, preaching,
  etc.
• Declare free of shackles of authority
• Desire new way of interpreting Bible new
  hermeneutic
• Refusal to study, discuss, or debate issues of
  controversy when confronted

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Challenge to Rebels (166-7, 16-17)

• Korah and others to take censers, put fire and
  incense in them, and offer to Lord
• Only for priests to do (Lev. 1611-13 101
  2 Chron. 2616-19)
• A fatal challenge if these men not authorized to
  burn incense before God!

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Challenge to Rebels (166-7, 16-17)

• Rebels do so, and gather at door of tabernacle
  Lord appears
• Could situation have been prevented?
• Give in to rebellion No!
• Compromise for sake of unity No!
• Respect authority of God, repent of sin, and obey
  His will Yes!

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God Answers Rebellion (1620-40)

• Ready to consume congregation
• Moses and Aaron intercede
• Earth swallows Korah, along with Dathan and
  Abiram and their families
• Korahs children do not perish (2611)
• Confirmation of Moses authority from God
• 250 rebellious men consumed by fire

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God Answers Rebellion (1620-40)

• Memorial made to remind people of Gods law and
  sin of rebellion
• People murmur and anger God again (vv. 41-50)
• Blame Moses and Aaron
• Moses and Aaron help save sinning brethren
• Atonement recognized by God
• Aaron confirmed in priestly work

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Aarons Budding Rod (Numbers 17)

• Twelve rods one from each tribe
• Put in tabernacle Aarons rod buds and yields
  ripe almonds
• Kept in ark of covenant for reminder
• Israel fears God reminded later of events of
  rebellion (Deut. 116 Psa. 10616-18)
• We must beware today of those who will work and
  perish in the rebellion of Korah (Jude 3-4, 10-11)

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