Over the years, I have found the study of Korach to be one of the most relevant stories in Scripture. Why do I think this? It has to do with allowing Yahweh to be God in all our situations. For instance, how many times, have we thought, “I can do better than my boss, spouse, senator, teacher, and pastor?” But, rather than comparing or complaining, have you considered that these people in our lives are there for a reason?
Korah and his friends believed that they were better candidates to lead than Moses. They claimed holiness before Yahweh but yet challenged the person put in their lives by Him.
3 “They assembled together against Moses and Aaron, and said to them, “You have gone far enough! For all the congregation are holy, every one of them, and the Lord is in their midst; so why do you exalt yourselves above the assembly of the Lord?” Num. 16:3
At first glance, this text seems to be mostly aimed at Moses. But is it? We must remember before this event, Yahweh had ordered the stoning of man who openly challenged His commands; afterwhich, Israel was advised to put tassels on their clothing to “remember” Yah’s commands while in the land. It’s here that Korah and a group of “holy men” said “enough.”
So, who was Korah and his friends mostly upset at? If it was Moses, was it about a title? Did it stem from jealousy? Was it a theological disagreement over a comparison of holiness—laity against leadership? If it was Yahweh, were these men wanting to be god in their own camp? Did they not like the idea of looking different in the land? In either scenario, it is clear that Korah was making an argument that deeply disturbed Moses.
4 When Moses heard this, he fell on his face; 5 and he spoke to Korah and all his group, saying, “Tomorrow morning the Lord will make known who is His, and who is holy, and will bring that one near to Himself
Concept: Notice the two comparisons between Korah and Moses. Who is allowing whom to sit on the Heavenly throne?
Consider: When a man regards himself as a big somebody, he becomes angry with others who do not acknowledge his big “somebodiness.” He wants to be the boss. He wants a title. God says to the big somebody, “There is not room in the universe for both you and Me.” God is the only true Somebody and the only real Boss. Only when a man utterly subjects his own will to Elohim and says, “Not as I will, but as You will” (Matthew 26:39), is YHWH able to inhabit him, work through him and ultimately exalt him. Such a person was Moses, the most humble man of his generation. Moses allowed Yahweh to reign. Moses did not seek the throne.
In Matthew 26, we witness another example of a person seeking the throne of Yah. His name is Judas. We know from history, Judas was convinced that Yeshua needed to claim an earthly throne and lead the Jews out from under the authoritative hand of Rome. So, he sets in place a plan of his own making.
“Then one of the Twelve—the one called Judas Iscariot—went to the chief priests 15 and asked, “What are you willing to give me if I deliver him over to you?” So they counted out for him thirty pieces of silver. 16 From then on Judas watched for an opportunity to hand him over.”
Concept: Can we push the hand of Yah to fit our own desires?
Consider: Do we try to replace God with our agenda over His? Do we sometimes believe we are acting righteous or holy when we do so?
“23 Yeshua replied, “The one who has dipped his hand into the bowl with me will betray me. 24 The Son of Man will go just as it is written about Him. But woe to that man who betrays the Son of Man! It would be better for him if he had not been born.”
The concept of authority is again pointed out in I Samuel 12, where Israel cries out to Samuel (whose name in Hebrew is defined as Shem & El or “name of God”) where they demanded for God to anoint an earthly king over a spiritual leader.
12 “ But when you saw that Nahash the king of the sons of Ammon was coming against you, you said to me, ‘No, but a king shall reign over us!’ Yet the Lord your God was your king. 13 And now, behold, the king whom you have chosen, whom you have asked for, and behold, the Lord has put a king over you.”
Concept: Israel anoints a King (flesh) over a prophet (spirit).
Consider: When our flesh leads, do we cease to recognize Yah’s authority and His Kingship?
In this week’s study, we also find advice in Romans 13:1-7, where the Apostle Paul defines the concept of submitting to authority. The chapter begins with:
“Every person is to be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God.”
There are many who are confused over Paul’s advice in this chapter. The concept of submitting to man is a hard pill to swallow. But if we look closely at the chapter, Paul is actually reminding us of a greater authority. He reminds us of who actually sits on the throne while we are on this earth, putting our focus on representing Kingdom purpose over personal purpose.
I know this is tough. But again, I ask, “Why has Yahweh put people in positions either over you or alongside you?” Think about it. Are you and I willing to allow Yahweh to sit on the throne of both our physical and our spiritual lives without complaint, jealousy, envy, or evil intent?”
Be blessed this Sabbath,
Rollyn
