Numbers 16:1-11
Korah son of Izhar, the son of Kohath, the son of Levi, and certain Reubenites—Dathan and Abiram, sons of Eliab, and On son of Peleth—became insolent and rose up against Moses. With them were 250 Israelite men, well-known community leaders who had been appointed members of the council. They came as a group to oppose Moses and Aaron and said to them, “You have gone too far! The whole community is holy, every one of them, and the Lord is with them. Why then do you set yourselves above the Lord’s assembly?”
When Moses heard this, he fell face down. Then he said to Korah and all his followers: “In the morning the Lord will show who belongs to him and who is holy, and he will have that person come near him. The man he chooses he will cause to come near him. You, Korah, and all your followers are to do this: Take censers and tomorrow put burning coals and incense in them before the Lord. The man the Lord chooses will be the one who is holy. You Levites have gone too far!”
Moses also said to Korah, “Now listen, you Levites! Isn’t it enough for you that the God of Israel has separated you from the rest of the Israelite community and brought you near himself to do the work at the Lord’s tabernacle and to stand before the community and minister to them? He has brought you and all your fellow Levites near himself, but now you are trying to get the priesthood too. It is against the Lord that you and all your followers have banded together. Who is Aaron that you should grumble against him?”
Rebellion. It's nothing new. God has been dealing with man's rebellion since just after the creation of the world (Genesis 3). This rebellion shouldn't surprise us all that much. It comes shortly after Moses sent the 12 spies into Canaan. It seems that Moses's whole reign as the leader of Israel is the story of putting down one rebellion after another. If you are familiar with Israel's history, starting with Adam and Eve; this is the theme of the nation of Israel. If you disagree with that just read Genesis through 2 Chronicles. Read the prophets. Read the gospels and pay attention to how the leaders of Israel respond and interact with Jesus, the Apostles, and John the Baptist. Look at the Israelites today and see how they are still rebelling against God. They still reject Jesus as the promised Messiah!
But, back on point...Korah. Korah and his band of Levites had enough of Moses being God's chosen leader. They decided that they wanted some of his authority. They wanted to be the ones ruling over God's people. There was only one problem- God had chosen Moses, not Korah and his band of usurpers.
I love how Moses points out that all rebellion is rebellion against God. Moses makes the point in verse 11, "who is Aaron that you should grumble against him?" Moses and Aaron were just men. They were just obeying God's commands and call. Moses didn't even want this responsibility (see Exodus 3). Everybody wants to be the leader until it comes time to be held accountable before the Lord. Just like Eve, no one wants to be the leader then.
God calls and appoints men to positions of leadership and authority in our world. Any rebellion against that authority is first, and foremost, a rebellion against God (I will include some verses at the end to drive home this point). Like Moses, not all leaders are in their position because they sought it or the power that comes with it. Some have been pulled into leadership reluctantly. They would be just fine following and letting someone else lead, if only God had called someone else. Christian leaders faithfully answer that call to leadership despite their personal preferences, the obstacles they face, or the flaming arrows that are constantly shot at them by the cowardly critics.
The reality is that God has called ALL of us to follower-ship, and only a select few to high-profile leadership. The best leaders in every field start out by following good leaders. If you're not in the position of leadership that you want, then it's time to become a better follower. You clearly still have some things to learn. Submit to the authorities that God has place in your life and learn all you can from them. The biggest lesson you will learn is humility, because Godly submission cannot be achieved without it.
Finally, don't worry about your own aspirations. Instead look for the doors that the Holy Spirit has opened to you; and serve Christ's Church with everything you've got, right where you're at!
I love how Moses points out that all rebellion is rebellion against God. Moses makes the point in verse 11, "who is Aaron that you should grumble against him?" Moses and Aaron were just men. They were just obeying God's commands and call. Moses didn't even want this responsibility (see Exodus 3). Everybody wants to be the leader until it comes time to be held accountable before the Lord. Just like Eve, no one wants to be the leader then.
God calls and appoints men to positions of leadership and authority in our world. Any rebellion against that authority is first, and foremost, a rebellion against God (I will include some verses at the end to drive home this point). Like Moses, not all leaders are in their position because they sought it or the power that comes with it. Some have been pulled into leadership reluctantly. They would be just fine following and letting someone else lead, if only God had called someone else. Christian leaders faithfully answer that call to leadership despite their personal preferences, the obstacles they face, or the flaming arrows that are constantly shot at them by the cowardly critics.
The reality is that God has called ALL of us to follower-ship, and only a select few to high-profile leadership. The best leaders in every field start out by following good leaders. If you're not in the position of leadership that you want, then it's time to become a better follower. You clearly still have some things to learn. Submit to the authorities that God has place in your life and learn all you can from them. The biggest lesson you will learn is humility, because Godly submission cannot be achieved without it.
Finally, don't worry about your own aspirations. Instead look for the doors that the Holy Spirit has opened to you; and serve Christ's Church with everything you've got, right where you're at!
The Fourth Commandment
Honor your father and mother, that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.
What does this mean?
We should fear and love God that we do not dishonor or anger our parents and others in authority, but honor, serve, and obey them, and give them love and respect. ( Martin Luther, Small Catechism)
Hebrews 13:17
Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men who must give account. Obey them so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no advantage to you.
Romans 13:1-2
Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, he who rebels against he authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.
1 Peter 2:13-17
Submit to every human authority because of the Lord, whether to the king as the supreme authority 14 or to governors as those who have been sent by him to punish those who do what is wrong and to praise those who do what is right. 15 For this is God’s will: that you silence the ignorance of foolish people by doing good. 16 Do this as free people, and do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but use it as servants of God. 17 Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood.[a] Fear God. Honor the king.
God bless
Jason Fredrick
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