Rebellion Against Leadership 02.20.08

Hello My Friend/Guest,

It is Wednesday February 20, 2008 and today we are continuing our studies on the book of Numbers. Please read Numbers 16 -- 18 in your Bible or Click Here. In today's lesson we will read and learn about Korah leading a rebellion against Moses and Aaron; a plague that is sent by God; Aaron's rod; duties for priests; and the tithe offering.

Korah and his company were Levites. Korah also was a cousin to Moses and Aaron who were Israel's spiritual leaders. Dathan and Abiram, of the tribe of Reuben, together with 250 leaders (princes) of Israel, planned to overthrow the leadership of Moses and Aaron. "Now Korah, the son of Izhar, the son of Kohath, the 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 certain of the children of Israel, two hundred and fifty princes of the assembly, famous in the congregation, men of renown: And they gathered themselves together against Moses and against Aaron, and said unto them, Ye take too much upon you, seeing all the congregation are holy, every one of them, and the LORD is among them: wherefore then lift ye up yourselves above the congregation of the LORD?" (Numbers 16:1-3). These influential leaders may have felt they were right in what they said, yet they failed to see Moses as the God-appointed leader. They merely considered leadership a personal problem to be decided on the basis of circumstances. Moses did not react in anger, but fell on his face before the Lord.

Since the place of leadership is from the Lord, Moses would not use his authority or do anything of himself. His response to Korah and his company was to wait until the next morning when God would reveal His will. The meekness of Moses is evident in how he answered their wrong spirit with a right spirit. "And when Moses heard it, he fell upon his face: And he spake unto Korah and unto all his company, saying, Even to morrow the LORD will shew who are his, and who is holy; and will cause him to come near unto him: even him whom he hath chosen will he cause to come near unto him. This do; Take you censers, Korah, and all his company; And put fire therein, and put incense in them before the LORD to morrow: and it shall be that the man whom the LORD doth choose, he shall be holy: ye take too much upon you, ye sons of Levi." (16:4-7)

Korah and his party were deceived by assuming they were not rebellious against God, for they still wished to serve Him but on their own terms. It was not possible then for Korah and his crowd to maintain a right attitude toward God and a wrong attitude toward God's anointed leadership nor is it possible now. Had they submitted themselves to the authority of Moses and Aaron, they would not have been rebelling against God and faced such a tragic death. "And the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed them up, and their houses, and all the men that appertained unto Korah, and all their goods. They, and all that appertained to them, went down alive into the pit, and the earth closed upon them: and they perished from among the congregation. And all Israel that were round about them fled at the cry of them: for they said, Lest the earth swallow us up also. And there came out a fire from the LORD, and consumed the two hundred and fifty men that offered incense." (16:32-35).

Rebellion against God-ordained leadership still occurs in similar situations today among neighbors, in divisions in the church, and in the workplace. Pastors who are confronted with criticism and opposition from members should follow the example of Moses by praying and fasting for the will of God. And all who oppose church leadership should also pray and fast for the will of God and either accept it or gracefully leave. Those who teach the Word of God are also subject to opposition and criticism and should pray and fast in order to keep the will of God.

God will use any Christian that is willing to fully submit to His authority to be a leader or teacher. You can almost count on getting criticized, but we can rest assure that we are following God's Will and He is protecting us along the way. He will never forsake us nor leave us to fend for ourselves.

In today's lesson Jesus Christ is revealed through Aaron and his sons who were responsible for making proper atonement for all of the iniquity of Israel (Numbers 18:1). Jesus was wounded for our transgressions and bruised for our iniquities (Isaiah 53:5); He gave Himself for us,to redeem us from all iniquity. "Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works." (Titus 2:13-14).

Today's Psalm: (68:6)
"God setteth the solitary in families: he bringeth out those which are bound with chains: but the rebellious dwell in a dry land."

Today's Prayer: From Psalm 7:1-9
Dear Lord,
O LORD my God, in thee do I put my trust: save me from all them that persecute me, and deliver me: Lest he tear my soul like a lion, rending it in pieces, while there is none to deliver. O LORD my God, If I have done this; if there be iniquity in my hands; If I have rewarded evil unto him that was at peace with me; (yea, I have delivered him that without cause is mine enemy:) Let the enemy persecute my soul, and take it; yea, let him tread down my life upon the earth, and lay mine honour in the dust. Selah. Arise, O LORD, in thine anger, lift up thyself because of the rage of mine enemies: and awake for me to the judgment that thou hast commanded. So shall the congregation of the people compass thee about: for their sakes therefore return thou on high. The LORD shall judge the people: judge me, O LORD, according to my righteousness, and according to mine integrity that is in me. Oh let the wickedness of the wicked come to an end; but establish the just: for the righteous God trieth the hearts and reins.
I ask this is Jesus' name.....Amen

Have a wonderfully blessed day/night.
God bless you,
Christina

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