Numbers 11:4 “Now the rabble that was among them had a strong craving. And the people of Israel also wept again and said, “Oh that we had meat to eat!”
The time of the Exodus was a time of great trial for the people of Israel. The testing in the wilderness was an opportunity for the Lord to purify, shape, and establish His people into a nation after His own heart. It’s not easy for a person to change, especially an entire nation. Israel had been enslaved for over 400 years and the culture around them had affected their mindset.
Among the nation of Israel were people who came along with them, Egyptians, Ethiopians, and possibly many more. It was among these non-jews that dissension arose. They became discontent with the manna that God provided, they began to long for the produce of Egypt once again, and so they grumbled and complained.
When seeds of bitterness or discontent arise within a congregation of people, it starts to infect everyone. How many churches have split or crumbled due to a few bad seeds? When people are not like minded in their values, the focus of a congregation will either move in accordance with the leading of the Spirit of God or against God’s leading.
Thank God we have an advocate who goes before us and pleads our case, much like Moses was for Israel. The Lord our redeemer is faithful and true, His loving kindness is from everlasting to everlasting.
When the nation of Israel realized their critical error in not trusting God for all He had promised, the wickedness of rebellion lead to very poor choices, eventually costing many of their lives. Moses represented God to the people, much like Jesus is for us today. And while there are those who are never content they try to find others who are weak minded, who might be struggling in their faith, and lead them toward disaster.
Numbers 16:1-3 “Now Korah the son of Izhar, son of Kohath, son of Levi, and Dathan and Abiram the sons of Eliab, and On the son of Peleth, sons of Reuben, took men. And they rose up before Moses, with a number of the people of Israel, 250 chiefs of the congregation, chosen from the assembly, well-known men. They assembled themselves together against Moses and against Aaron and said to them, “You have gone too far! For all in the congregation are holy, every one of them, and the LORD is among them. Why then do you exalt yourselves above the assembly of the LORD?”
The first accusation was to challenge those whom God has placed in authority. The second move was to create an air of doubt and puff up the people in pride. The third was to weave dissension and eventually place themselves into positions of leadership.
When Moses called Korah and Dathan to come before the Tent of Meeting, He wanted them to present themselves before God, but they refused. They remained at home in what they thought was the security of their position, surrounded by like-minded individuals…so the Lord came to them.
Numbers 16:4-5 “When Moses heard it, he fell on his face, and he said to Korah and all his company, “In the morning the LORD will show who is his, and who is holy, and will bring him near to him. The one whom he chooses he will bring near to him.”
The complaints toward God of water and meat were only precursors to what was unfolding. When people are unhappy with leadership, they seem to find every possible excuse to berate and put leadership down. We see that in America today. We have a President who has more people than ever who have built their sole purpose in life toward picketing, spewing hatred, and speaking disparaging of anyone who supports him. The division is a clear sign of satanic undercurrent with a purpose for destruction.
Hatred begins in the heart and lends itself to discontent, division, and in Israel’s case…death.
Numbers 16:19-20 “Then Korah assembled all the congregation against them at the entrance of the tent of meeting. And the glory of the LORD appeared to all the congregation. And the LORD spoke to Moses and to Aaron, saying, “Separate yourselves from among this congregation, that I may consume them in a moment.”
The Holiness of God will not let the dividers stand for long. When the rebels opposed Moses, they essentially opposed God, and that is a war that has zero chance for success.
So what happened to Korah and Dathan?
Numbers 16:32-33 “And the earth opened its mouth and swallowed them up, with their households and all the people who belonged to Korah and all their goods. So they and all that belonged to them went down alive into Sheol, and the earth closed over them, and they perished from the midst of the assembly.”
Not only did those men lose their lives, but all of their families and everything they owned went straight into the grave. Then a certain group of 250 men who chose to burn unholy incense before the Lord immediately were burned up by the fury of God’s wrath.
It took many lessons for the people to begin to respect God and the men He placed into authority. Many people lost their lives, many suffered plagues, venomous snakes, and all sorts of perils. After so many lessons of God proving His power and love, why would the people continue to rebel?
When the heart is turned against God, no manner of God’s works is enough.
We must search our hearts and come to the conclusion of who we will obey. Will it be obedience toward the flesh and its lusts, or towards a loving God who has all authority?
Life is short and the decisions we make now will echo into eternity. For those who remain faithful, their reward awaits, but for the rebellious, the grave is where their demands will take them.
Be found faithful and when He comes, your reward will be great.
U.T. 