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?” – Numbers 16:3
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Korah, a Levite, along with two hundred fifty leaders of Israel, rebelled against Moses and Aaron. He accused them of exalting themselves above the congregation. Korah obviously thought he could do a better job of leading the people than Moses was doing. But when he rebelled against God’s divinely appointed leaders; it was against God that Korah was revolting (Numbers 16:11).
Moses proposes a test to prove the source of his authority. Both Aaron and Korah with his men would present incense to the Lord. And the man whom the Lord chooses will be the one who is holy. Korah fails the test. God opens the earth. Korah, his men with their families and possessions are swallowed up. The rest of Israel were terrified.
But by the next day, the Israelites complain that Moses and Aaron had ‘killed the Lord’s people.’ God is angry and sends a plague. Moses and Aaron interceded on behalf of the people. A complete catastrophe was averted. The plague killed fourteen thousand seven hundred people that day (Numbers 16:41-50).
God calls and appoints people that He chooses. God called Moses, not Korah. Korah was arrogant and self-promoting. God’s true leaders are humble and they submit to Him. True leaders are called by God to their offices. They are not self-appointed.
How are you respecting the leaders that God has appointed?
Lord, help me accept and submit to the leaders you have appointed, I pray.
Extended Reading — Numbers 16-17
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In today’s church I am really not seeing true Leaders appointed by God. The self appointed category of Leaders seems to be in leadership. How ? do you submit to Leaders in church who do not have any of the characteristics of Jesus but behave like normal worldly Leaders! We are in a setting just like Jesus days where he was up against the religious Leaders of His time who were but whitewashed tombs!