The Gainsaying of Korah
Minister: |
Rev. Ronald Van Overloop |
Date: |
10/24/2010 PM
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Text:
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Numbers 16:1-3,28-35
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Psalters: |
45, 92, 300, 13 |
- The rebellion.
- There were three distinct factions who participated in this rebellion.
- Korah, a Levite, who was especially jealous that Aaron was the religious leader.
- Dathan and Abiram were brothers of the tribe of Reuben, who were jealous of Moses’ political leadership.
- The 250 princes were men of preeminence in the nation, especially of Levi (7,8).
- Their actions are contrary, i.e., contradictory, opposing, anti-logic, rebelling.
- They were did not want to go back into the desert, so accused the leaders.
- Korah and the 250 wanted to be active in the spiritual activity of worship (burn incense).
- The Reubenites (Jacob’s firstborn) accuse Moses of setting himself up as Israel’s leader.
- God responded in judgment.
- God’s judgment began with their mediator being grieved (4) and later being filled with righteous anger (15).
- Moses’ immediate response was to call Korah and the 250 to a test (5-7, 18,19).
- God responded by appearing in His glory (19b).
- God commands: separate from the tents of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram (24).
- The earth opened at the location of their tens, swallowed them and theirs alive (31-33).
- At the same time God sent fire to consume the 250 as they offered incense (35).
- The next day all the congregation charged Moses and Aaron with killing “people of the Lord” (41).
- They presented two lies evidencing great wickedness.
- Without announcement God sent a plague among the nation which quickly spread, killing 14,700 (46b-48).
- Aaron took his censer stood between the dead and the living, stopping the plague.
- Lessons to be learned, again and again.