Num 16:1-41
1 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:
2 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:
3 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?
4 And when Moses heard it, he fell upon his face:
5 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.
6 This do; Take you censers, Korah, and all his company;
7 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.
8 And Moses said unto Korah, Hear, I pray you, ye sons of Levi:
9 Seemeth it but a small thing unto you, that the God of Israel hath separated you from the congregation of Israel, to bring you near to himself to do the service of the tabernacle of the Lord, and to stand before the congregation to minister unto them?
10 And he hath brought thee near to him, and all thy brethren the sons of Levi with thee: and seek ye the priesthood also?
11 For which cause both thou and all thy company are gathered together against the Lord: and what is Aaron, that ye murmur against him?
12 And Moses sent to call Dathan and Abiram, the sons of Eliab: which said, We will not come up:
13 Is it a small thing that thou hast brought us up out of a land that floweth with milk and honey, to kill us in the wilderness, except thou make thyself altogether a prince over us?
14 Moreover thou hast not brought us into a land that floweth with milk and honey, or given us inheritance of fields and vineyards: wilt thou put out the eyes of these men? we will not come up.
15 And Moses was very wroth, and said unto the Lord, Respect not thou their offering: I have not taken one ass from them, neither have I hurt one of them.
16 And Moses said unto Korah, Be thou and all thy company before the Lord, thou, and they, and Aaron, to morrow:
17 And take every man his censer, and put incense in them, and bring ye before the Lord every man his censer, two hundred and fifty censers; thou also, and Aaron, each of you his censer.
18 And they took every man his censer, and put fire in them, and laid incense thereon, and stood in the door of the tabernacle of the congregation with Moses and Aaron.
19 And Korah gathered all the congregation against them unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation: and the glory of the Lord appeared unto all the congregation.
20 And the Lord spake unto Moses and unto Aaron, saying,
21 Separate yourselves from among this congregation, that I may consume them in a moment.
22 And they fell upon their faces, and said, O God, the God of the spirits of all flesh, shall one man sin, and wilt thou be wroth with all the congregation?
23 And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying,
24 Speak unto the congregation, saying, Get you up from about the tabernacle of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram.
25 And Moses rose up and went unto Dathan and Abiram; and the elders of Israel followed him.
26 And he spake unto the congregation, saying, Depart, I pray you, from the tents of these wicked men, and touch nothing of theirs, lest ye be consumed in all their sins.
27 So they gat up from the tabernacle of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram, on every side: and Dathan and Abiram came out, and stood in the door of their tents, and their wives, and their sons, and their little children.
28 And Moses said, Hereby ye shall know that the Lord hath sent me to do all these works; for I have not done them of mine own mind.
29 If these men die the common death of all men, or if they be visited after the visitation of all men; then the Lord hath not sent me.
30 But if the Lord make a new thing, and the earth open her mouth, and swallow them up, with all that appertain unto them, and they go down quick into the pit; then ye shall understand that these men have provoked the Lord.
31 And it came to pass, as he had made an end of speaking all these words, that the ground clave asunder that was under them:
32 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.
33 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.
34 And all Israel that were round about them fled at the cry of them: for they said, Lest the earth swallow us up also.
35 And there came out a fire from the Lord, and consumed the two hundred and fifty men that offered incense.
36 And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying,
37 Speak unto Eleazar the son of Aaron the priest, that he take up the censers out of the burning, and scatter thou the fire yonder; for they are hallowed.
38 The censers of these sinners against their own souls, let them make them broad plates for a covering of the altar: for they offered them before the Lord, therefore they are hallowed: and they shall be a sign unto the children of Israel.
39 And Eleazar the priest took the brasen censers, wherewith they that were burnt had offered; and they were made broad plates for a covering of the altar:
40 To be a memorial unto the children of Israel, that no stranger, which is not of the seed of Aaron, come near to offer incense before the Lord; that he be not as Korah, and as his company: as the Lord said to him by the hand of Moses.
41 But on the morrow all the congregation of the children of Israel murmured against Moses and against Aaron, saying, Ye have killed the people of the Lord.
Everyone lift you feet up in the air off of the floor. Okay, I may step on some toes this evening, so if you keep your feet up in the air, I won’t step o your toes!
In Winchester, Ohio there’s a church called the Bethlehem Church of Christ. It’s been in existence for over 150 years, and over the years different events have been recorded in their “history” book. One of their recent ministers was reading back over the different entries in this book when he ran across the following item from the year 1840:
“We had fighting right here at home. The Democrats and Republicans were so bitter against one another, it broke the church up.”
One eyewitness reported a fist fight over the issue: “Two of our best men fought to a finish. One wanted to know if the other had enough. He said he had, so he let him up.”
According to a survey conducted in 2004, preachers from across the nation were asked what topic they felt hadn’t been properly covered in their Bible college training and the top answer was:
Conflict management - 31%.
Now, why wouldn’t Bible colleges cover that topic?
Well, in a PERFECT church, you wouldn’t expect to have a lot of conflict. But throughout my life, I’ve heard of churches that have had:
• Power struggles
• Church splits
• And people who would come to church for decades and wouldn’t talk to one another. Who wouldn’t shake hands with each other. I’ve even heard about a church that had people so mad at each other that they would sit on opposite side of the church building and would refuse to ever sit on the same side of the aisle as “those others”.
Peace and unity are absolutely essential to a church that wants to see God’s salvation, anointing, blessing and abundant life. Therefore, we must have zero tolerance for grumbling, complaining, gossip and strife.
• We’re living in a world today where complaining has become a virtue. People complain about everything: the weather, the government, traffic, more!
A monk joined a monastery and took a vow of silence. After the first 10 years his superior called him in and gave him an opportunity to speak two words, "Do you have anything to say?" The monk replied, "Food bad." After another 10 years the monk again had opportunity to voice his thoughts. He said, "Bed hard." Another 10 years went by and again he was called in before his superior. When asked if he had anything to say, he responded, "I quit." His superior said, "It doesn't surprise me a bit. You've done nothing but complain ever since you got here."
Characteristics of rebellion:
• Seeking the overthrow of a leader.
• Disrupting the leader’s ability to effectively lead.
• Grumbling against a leader or his methods.
• Causing dissension or division among the flock.
• A spirit of defiance.
• A backlog of un-confessed offenses in the body.
• Spiritual blessing and activity of the Holy Spirit seems to be missing.
• Pride - in the form of actively seeking a place of leadership in the
"spotlight".
• Suggesting that a leader is not needed or is unworthy to lead.
• Enticing others to follow rebellious suggestion.
• Counseling contrary doctrines opposed to the Word.
• Unwillingness to repent, individually or collectively.
• Refusing to be counseled when in error.
• Confusion - disorientation in the congregation.
After the Israelites were served notice of their forty years wanderings in the wilderness, Aaron and Moses faced the last negative evaluation of their leadership direction, methods and history. The leader was Korah, a Levite but a non-descendant of Aaron who desired the priesthood for himself. Korah fed his poison to four others from another tribe (v 1) and another 250 influential people (v 2). Behind the transparent religious or spiritual language was an unmistakable “you-we-you” message: “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?
Korah’s grandfather, Kohath (Num 16:1), occupied an important place in the ministry of the Lord. Kohath’s family was one of three families appointed to serve in the sanctuary. The Kohathites had the highest honor of caring for the holiest things in the tabernacle assigned to them. Kohath and his descendants were in charge of the holiest things in the Tent of Meeting or tabernacle (Num 4:1-3), including the ark of the covenant, the table of shew-bread (Num 4:7-8), the candlestick (Num 4:9-10), the altar of incense (Num 4:11-12) and altar of burnt-offering (Num 4:13-14) when the camp was on the move (Num 4:2-3). They were responsible for carrying the holiest vessels on poles (Num 4:15). God had promised that they would never to be cut off from the Levites even when service was poor (Num 4:17), but forbade them to touch the holy things (Num 4:15). Looking at the holy things, even for a moment, would mean death for the Kohathites (Num 4:20).
The sons of Korah, however, wanted and demanded more, but Moses reminded them what they had was plenty still. They were more privileged than most since they were descended from a storied family, charged with the holiest things and teamed with Aaron and Moses. Koran had it as good as it could get. The sons of Korah were the first among equal families, clans and priests. They were among the select group of 2,750 Kohathites chosen to serve in the tabernacle (Num 4:34-36), yet they were entertaining thoughts and coveting things and tasks that were entrusted to others.
The less privileged could only look up at the sons of Korah, gushed in their presence and pined for an opportunity to safeguard the most holy things, to keep Moses and Aaron company and to serve God up-close and personal. Sadly, the sons of Korah did not value the significance of their ministry, the uniqueness of their presence and the contribution to people’s lives. When they coveted the priesthood of Aaron (Num 16:11), they treated their service as trivial, God’s selection as flawed and people’s gifts as superior.
One morning when Israel was camping at a stopping place on the way southward, all these ambitious men gathered before Moses' tent. With Korah, their best speaker and worst schemer leading them, they came to demand of Moses that some changes be made in the priesthood. When Moses was told that a crowd of high ranking men had come to demand some changes in government, he wasn't surprised. He had sensed for weeks that this kind of trouble was brewing. Now, as he came out of his tent, he expected to see only a handful of men. He was rather startled to see more than two hundred and fifty, and he was considerably upset to recognize so many trusted men of high rank among those who now stood before him with unfriendly expressions. (Numbers 16:2.)
"Why are you here?" Moses asked.
Korah Wants More Authority
"We are here because we believe you are taking on too much power for one man," Korah answered. "You and your priests act as though you are holier than any of the rest of us. If we are God's chosen people, then ALL of us are holy. That means that all of us have equal rights in matters of government. However, you use your authority to put men who are your friends in the best positions in government. (Verse 3.) We demand that you yield some of those offices to the congregation so we can choose our own officials." Korah, being a good speaker, knew he could be elected to a high office if the people were allowed to choose their own leaders. What Korah really was after was complete control of all Israel. Leaders of nations have always been the objects of envy by greedy men. Seizing leadership has always been a selfish, bloody game, with the greatest losers generally turning out to be the citizens. Even Israel, God's chosen nation, wasn't free of this kind of ambitious trouble makers.
Moses was shocked by this blunt demand from Korah. He could see that the men weren't just bluffing. It was plain that they were willing to go to extremes to gain what they had set out to do. Setting armed soldiers on them would only mean bloodshed. Besides, most of the Israelites would sympathize with the victims of the soldiers, since they were popular, well-known leaders, and the situation would become worse.
Without even going back into the privacy of his tent, Moses knelt forward with his head to the ground and asked God for help. A few of those assembled became uncomfortable as they stood in the presence of a humble man calling on his Creator for aid. They included On, one of the Reubenites. He wanted no more of the matter, and slipped out of the scene. Other onlookers merely smiled at what they considered an attempt by Moses to gain their sympathy by appearing pitifully pious.
"This is no time for a show, Moses!" Korah called out. "Stand up and explain why at least some of us shouldn't be priests in place of some of those who are now in service merely because it was your whim to put them there." Korah, a Levite, already had a high office, but he wanted an even higher office -- the priesthood that was given to Aaron. (Verses 8-11.)
Moses slowly came to his feet. Those who watched him couldn't know that God had just inspired him to know what to say. Ignoring Korah, Moses addressed Dathan and Abiram.
Moses Tries to Save Rebels
"Before you carry this matter further, let us discuss it in my tent," Moses said, thus giving them an opportunity to separate from Korah.
"There is no reason to talk with you," Dathan and Abiram replied. "We refuse to listen to your excuses for leading us from the good land of Egypt and into a desert where we are to die. Your only aim has plainly been to control the people, no matter what becomes of them.
Observations of those who operate in the spirit of Korah:
1. They are well liked, persuasive, have charisma and an anointing on their life (Similar to Absalom).
2. An irony is that many times what they say is accurate and sounds normal in the natural, but their underlying motives are wrong.
3. Most times they are spiritual in what they say but are often hyper-spiritual or have a religious spirit. This “spirituality” is a cover to cause
people to not question their motives, doctrine or methods.
4. They want others to submit to them but they are not willing to submit themselves to authority (i.e., husbands who expect wives to submit
but are not submitted themselves are hypocrites and abusive of scriptural teachings on submission).
5. They do not like change – they want to restore the old order of things.
6. They dislike organization charts. Some people claim they will only submit to the pastor, but not to delegated authority. If you can’t submit to delegated authority, you can’t submit to God.
7. They lack understanding of the workings of God.
8. They are discontent with their position.
Numbers 16:8-9 Then Moses said to Korah, "Hear now, you sons of Levi: "Is it a small thing to you that the God of
Israel has separated you from the congregation of Israel, to bring you near to Himself, to do the work of the tabernacle of the Lord, and to stand before the congregation to serve them; “
9. They are jealous: Korah apparently was jealous that Aaron held the position of high priest.
10. Although he has a lot of people in his corner, Moses reminds Korah and company they are really speaking against God.
Numbers 16:11 "Therefore you and all your company are gathered together against the Lord.”
11. They are critical of but not accountable to an assembly. They will often not show up at the regular assembly, inconsistent in attendance.
Numbers 16:14 … We will not come up!"
12. They have a tendency to draw back or quit when they don’t get their way, or in control, are challenged, or given preeminence.
Methods of Korah
1. They will try to get others to rise up against someone in leadership.
Numbers 16:1-3 “Now Korah the son of Izhar, the son of Kohath, the son of Levi, with 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 some of the children of Israel, two hundred and fifty leaders of the congregation, representatives of the congregation, men of renown. They gathered together against Moses and Aaron.”
2. They will campaign for their own ideas and recruit others to help them. Before approaching leadership they will create a groundswell of opinion in their favor, so that if their method, doctrine, etc., is not chosen the leadership will appear to be the fools. They try to create an atmosphere of intimidation, putting a leader in a corner, making it difficult to say no.
3. They are critical of leaders’ weaknesses or lack of “success” in church. This came before Moses was told by his father-in-law, Jethro (who was trying to help him), that he was doing too much (Exodus 17-18). Moses then made changes in leadership structure and
positioned himself to become a better leader.
4. They place themselves and their counsel above leadership and the assembly. They will often meet in unsponsored home groups or dinner parties, fellowships, using this as a platform for their agenda, knowing there will be no accountability in this setting.
Consequences:
□ Unless there is deep repentance, they become troublesome and worthless to the body of Christ the rest of their life.
□ Incur the wrath of God
□ Affect the majority for evil
People think nothing about talking about other Christians, even pastors, evangelist
and teachers, but because God is the same yesterday, today and forever, there are
consequences. We may not always agree with every thing others say, but we are not
to talk about them. The internet has become a dumping ground with gossip about
many leaders, don’t fall into that trap of carrying on this way
Conclusion:
�� The spirit of Korah will bring destruction to individuals, families, businesses, and churches.
�� Be careful of how you let people affect you. Korah inspired even the leaders who should have been
the "watchmen."
�� Ask yourself If you are easily swayed by influential people
�� Seek God for a gift of discerning of spirits.
�� Beware of the spirit of murmuring and complaining. It could stop you from entering your promised
land.
�� Stop blaming your former church, pastor, or leaders for your problem.
�� Mark those who cause division:
Romans 16:17 “Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the
doctrine which you learned, and avoid them.”
Victory Life Church * P.O. Box 1834, Folsom, CA 95763 * www.victorylifechurch.org
Test the spirits:
□ What is their hidden motive?
□ What is their track record?
□ What is their fruit?
□ Do they complain and murmur?
□ Do they campaign for their ideas?
□ Do they struggle when their ideas are not
implemented?
□ Do they fail to support ideas that are not
theirs?
□ Do they have difficulty with submission?
□ Are they hyper-spiritual?
□ Do they speak down or despairingly to those
in authority?
□ Do they make one in authority above them
look bad?
□ Do they seek authority without being under
