Korach

This week's Torah reading includes the struggle of Korah, Dathan and Abiram who rose up against Moses and Aaron, seeking to oppose their God-ordained leadership. The three men asked, "Why do you set yourselves above the Lord's assembly?" (Num 16:3). They failed to perceive and accept that it was God's anointed structure and appointment against which they spoke. Despite the intercession of Moses and Aaron, terrifying consequences followed: the earth opened its mouth, swallowing the three men with everything that belonged to them. Fire also came out from the Lord and consumed 250 other men who were offering unauthorised incense. The people feared for their own lives.

However, the next morning, the whole Israelite community returned to their grumbling against Moses and Aaron, “You have killed the Lord’s people,” they said (Num 16:41). The wrath of the Lord in response to their rebellion was immediate. He sent a plague from which over 14,000 people died before the intercession of Aaron brought it to a halt.

God’s Perspective

Afterwards came the miraculous moment when Aaron's staff budded, blossomed and produced almonds overnight while those belonging to other tribal leaders remained unchanged. The Lord had said, "The staff belonging to the man I choose will sprout, and I will rid myself of this constant grumbling against you by the Israelites" (Num 17:5). These were extreme circumstances – ours may seem almost insignificant by comparison but the Lord still keeps watch to vindicate and protect those whom he has anointed to serve him in his chosen way.

Yet all of this invites a question: how often do we actually need help to see the wider picture of what the Father is doing? It is all too easy to be taken up with the immediate situation which is before us day by day. Dathan and Abiram referred to Egypt from which they had come as "a land flowing with milk and honey" (Num 16:13). Wrong memories or distortions cause us to see things that are not true. Difficulties pop up and it is possible that the supernatural, individual walk that we have with God can be temporarily forgotten if we make a comparison with the apparent ease of those in the world around us or in what we see of the lives of other believers.

Responding Correctly

We may not be experiencing the severe situation of either Korah, who rebelled against authority, or Moses and Aaron to whom God gave authority, but we each need to understand what God is doing in our own circumstances. It can be so easy to make a misjudgement. This is where we need more than an objective viewpoint from a third party; we need trusted friends who will listen and pray with us, ask a helpful question here or there and simply be around to come back to. Sometimes there is a need to ask the Father for such a friend in whom to confide.

Let us take courage from our Lord Jesus who suffered a similar rejection of his authority and anointing. His response was to take it to his Father and to choose to respond to him rather than the legalism of the Pharisees or the threats of others who opposed and obstructed him. He was tempted in every way, just as we are – yet he did not sin. He is the one from whom we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need (Heb 4:14-16). This is the ultimate example of suffering linked to a mistaken perception of authority. In our own lesser, yet still significant walk with God, let us, together, always seek him for wisdom and understanding lest we too slip away from his order of authority and discipline.

Author: Sally Bolton