The Spirit Of Korah

• 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).