Torah Portion: Korach
B’midbar (Num) 16:1 – 18:32
I Samuel 11:14 – 12:22
Romans 13:1–7
Redemption from Rebellion
The good news for all rebels is that the mercy of YHWH triumphs over judgment (Jacob/ James 2:13) and reverses rebellion. We see this in the true humility and holiness of the offspring of Korah. They only wanted to exalt the King of the Universe, not themselves.
The prophet Samuel, a descendant of Korah, was redeemed from the curse of rebellion. He learned a hard lesson from his forefather’s fatal mistake. Samuel rebuked Israel, who had again rejected the reign of YHWH and wanted their own king over them as the nations have.
Abba already had a Man in mind to be the Sovereign King and the great High Priest over Israel. The Son of Man did not become King by self-exaltation or man’s promotion, but by humility, suffering, and dying as the Lamb, Whom YHWH raised from the dead.
The Messiah entered the grave for us so that even rebels who would repent and call upon His Name could be saved. The Ruach HaKodesh (Holy Spirit) raised Him from the grave. YHWH exalted Him to the throne of Heaven. giving Him all authority in heaven and earth. Baruch Hashem Yeshua Melek Yisra’el! Blessed be the Name of Yeshua, the King of Israel!
The Psalms of the Sons of Korah
After reading the tragedy of Korah’s rebellion, you will be blessed to read the uplifting psalms of the redeemed sons of Korah in Psalms 42 – 49. The sons of Korah had a very different zeal, this time with humility, repentance, and a fear for their mighty God. They petitioned the Most High that they may humbly approach Him in His sanctuary by singing psalms of honor and glory to their King. How YHWH had reversed their rebellion!
For YHWH, most high is to be held in awe; he is a great King over all the earth. He shall subdue the people under us and the nations under our feet. He shall choose our inheritance for us, the excellency of Jacob whom He loved. Selah. (Psalm 47:2-4)
Rather than demanding the inheritance of Moses’ and Aaron’s position of authority, they acknowledged and declared that only YHWH decides our inheritance and our place in life.
Rather than demanding access to the Holy of holies as high priest, sons of Korah humbly appeal to His loving-kindness to approach Him in His sanctuary: We have thought on Your lovingkindness, O Elohim, in the midst of Your sanctuary. (Psalm 48:9)
In Psalm 88, the sons of Korah cry out in humility to YHWH Elohay Yeshuatee (my God, Yeshua) to save them from the pit of Sheol, the grave wherein Korah and his band died. The sons of Korah prophesied of the Son of Man, Yeshua, Who would humbly descend into the horrors of the grave for us. We all deserve that for our rebellion. How great a salvation! Yeshua delivers, reverses, and saves us from the worst of generational curses – rebellion, bitterness, sowing strife and discord, and even witchcraft’s curses (1 Sam 15:23).
If any of us wants authority over others, it will have to come first, clothed with the humility of the Messiah without self-exaltation. Let YHWH raise each one of us to where He places us.
Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another and be clothed with humility: Elohim (God) resists the proud and gives grace to the humble. Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of Elohim, that he may exalt you in due time. (1 Peter 5:5-6)
On this Shabbat, may we honor YHWH according to the lyrics of the sons of Korah in Psalm 46. May we be still and find our rest and refuge in our exalted Elohim: Be still, and know that I Am Elohim: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth. YHWH of hosts is with us; the Elohim of Jacob is our refuge. Selah. (Psalm 46:10-11)
Be content with the place in life YHWH has made for you. Take any discontent or rebellious thought or talk to the foot of the cross. Let’s do the work He has called each of us to do. Let’s wholeheartedly do what we’re gifted to do to the best of our abilities – glorify and lift up the one Head of the Body, Yeshua, our Messiah. It’s really all about Him!
Blessings in the Name of Yeshua, our Great High Priest, and King of Israel,
David Klug