In Numbers 16, we see a crisis of authority among the ancient Israelites. The people were discouraged. Most of the spies who’d returned from the land of Canaan had given a dispiriting report (Numbers 13:32), and the generation that had left Egypt had been condemned to die in the wilderness. Having lost confidence in the leadership of Moses and Aaron, 250 prominent leaders threw their support behind Korah, a Levite, and Dathan, Abira, and On who were from the tribe of Reuben. There are two rebellions here: one against Aaron’s priestly authority, and one against Moses’s leadership of the nation.
Korah and the other rebels were able to gain a hearing because there was some truth in what they said—the entire assembly was holy; they were a nation set apart (Exodus 19:6, Deuteronomy 7:6). But this holiness did not mean that everyone had the same anointing as Moses, God’s chosen leader. Since God had authorized Moses and Aaron as leaders, the rebellions were not against them but “against the Lord” (Numbers 16:11).
Moses’s response can show us how to deal with a crisis of authority. Humble as he was (Numbers 12:3), he did not throw his weight around or try to maneuver behind the scenes. Instead, he appealed to God to vindicate him. At the same time, he and Aaron prayed on behalf of the whole community (Numbers 16:22).
God did vindicate Moses and Aaron by clearly judging the actions of the rebels. There is a tragic reversal: the ones who sought earthly power, their lives ended by going down into the earth, and for those who sought spiritual power, their lives ended by being burned up like an offering. “Come, see the works of the LORD,” says the psalmist (Psalm 46:8). When He exercises His love in the form of justice, those works to us can look like devastation.
Jesus said, “Be on your guard against false prophets” (Matthew 7:15). False prophets produce bad fruit, but this fruit is not always obvious. At first, like Korah, they can make some good points. The false prophets Jesus mentioned had prophesied, driven out demons, and performed miracles in His name. But these spectacular signs aren’t necessarily good fruit; good fruit is doing the will of God. And doing the will of God involves accepting the atonement He offers through the death of Jesus, and humbly and patiently waiting for Him to vindicate us.
Written by Elliot Ritzema
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77 thoughts on "Korah Incites Rebellion Against Moses"
Doing the will of God involves accepting the atonement He offers through the death of Jesus and humbly and patiently waiting for Him to vindicate us.
Moses is such a great example of a good leader. The fact that even after the rebellion he STILL had Aaron atone for the Israelites and halt the plague that would have wiped the whole community out is amazing. His trust in God and his love and hope for the Israelite people are so amazing to read about. Despite their shortcomings and complaints, Moses never gives up on them and has on several occasion asked God to spare them. Truly amazing. I hope you all had a wonderful Wednesday ❤️
When I read how Korah and the angry followers accused Moses of taking them out of the land of milk and honey (Egyptian slavery), I thought how our culture today twists things around and lies are believed. We forget what God has done for us. I love all the times Moses humbly takes his problems straight to God like I should and don’t always do. I feel peaceful when I wait and pray instead of jumping right into complaining to others!
So within 8 days I yearly celebrate my birthday, Mother’s Day, and my anniversary. It is quite an easy temptation to think, “I deserve better than this. Where is my praise?”
I think of my grandma (now passed) who when we asked her about what she would do on Christmas morning as a 90+YO living independently, would respond “Read my Bible. It’s nice to have that quiet time with the Lord.” I often have thought… how sad to be alone but how wonderful to be content in the Lord.
And then I wonder… who am I more like? Complaining Korah? Entitled and “deserving” more? Or am I like my grandma and like Moses? Content in the Lords presence? Not Lording my position over those around me, but accepting my position in humility, and honor where honor is due… He is worthy of it all.
I love this, thanks for sharing!! I hope I leave my grandchildren the memories of how much I loved the Lord! It’s hard to convey that to people in the busy world, but alone time with Jesus is the best! And contentment!!
The only comments I can get right now, are those sent after 3PM. Thinking of all of you and sending love.
Hi Donna! We are currently experiencing App issues and we are grateful for your patience and understanding as we work to get these resolved as soon as possible.Just as a reminder, you can always read alongside us and view the community thread at shereadstruth.com/plans!
Hi Donna! Our App Team is working on a fix and we hope to have this resolved soon. Just as a reminder, you can always read alongside us and view the community thread at shereadstruth.com/plans!
Hi @SHreadstruth! – I know you guys are working your tails off to fix these issues. I know if must be maddening! Peace be with YOU!
On 5/15 I couldn’t read more than a handful of comments and today, 5/16 is the same. I just wanted you to know this is not just an app issue – I use the WWW and an android phone and I am not able to see comments. I am using a computer today to respond to this message and to see if I could view comments here and it looks like I can. I wanted to provide this feedback to help pinpoint it’s not just the app. You are in our thoughts and prayers! Thank you for all you do!!!
Hi Sandy! Thanks for reaching out! I have passed along your message to our App Team! Thank you for your patience! We hope to have this resolved as soon as possible!
Good fruit is doing the will of God. Oh what a hard thing to except sometimes. Sometimes I won’t lie doing the right thing or the hard thing makes me want to huff and puff and role my eyes. But what a beautiful thing Our savior has done for us. Happy Wednesday ladies.
Yep, strangely I only see 3 comments now, where before I saw the morning ones.
I tried exciting the website and then pulling SRT back up and that worked to bring up the earlier comments.
Hi Rhonda! Thanks for your patience and understanding! Our App Team is working on a fix and we hope to have this resolved soon. Just as a reminder, you can always read alongside us and view the community thread at shereadstruth.com/plans!
Hi Rhonda! Our App Team is working on a fix and we hope to have this resolved soon. Just as a reminder, you can always read alongside us and view the community thread at shereadstruth.com/plans!
So very disheartening to come here this afternoon, in my break, and not be able to see many comments.. I know technical team are working on the issues.. it is still disheartening..
Praying a quick resolve to this problem..
At the moment all I can see are Erica’s, Michelles and Lisa Hs comments..
Keep going RYAN MEYERS and the Tech team, we are rooting for you..
Blessings and thank you for all you are and doing..❤️
Is it on the website or app. I ask because I use the app and can see it all.
I only use the web site. I am not fond of apps. ❤
Both my kindle fire and my android phone..❤
Thank you so much for your continued patience and support Tina! Our App Team is working on a fix and we hope to have this resolved soon. Just as a reminder, you can always read alongside us and view the community thread at shereadstruth.com/plans!
How convicting is this!!!
I don’t own a laptop, so I am use my phone to do SRT. I can’t scroll down past @Miz’s comment to see the ones from earlier this morning. She posted just after 7AM. I know there are always a few comments earlier than that. (Julia C ,Tina, Kelly Neo, other early birds ❤️). I am grateful for this website, just pointing this out to the staff to make clear there are still scrolling issues. I have an Android phone. Thank you. ❤️
Have a blessed Wednesday, Shes. It was nice to see your post yesterday @Mercy – hope you are well. ❤️
Same for me on my Android phone…
Hi Lisa! Our App Team is working on a fix and we hope to have this resolved soon. Just as a reminder, you can always read alongside us and view the community thread at shereadstruth.com/plans!
Same on my Kindle Fire.
We are so grateful for your patience! Our App Team is working on a fix and we hope to have this resolved soon. Just as a reminder, you can always read alongside us and view the community thread at shereadstruth.com/plans!
same with me on a desktop computer. I’m sure they’re working on it
Thank you for your patience! Our App Team is working on a fix and we hope to have this resolved soon. Just as a reminder, you can always read alongside us and view the community thread at shereadstruth.com/plans!
Hi Kris! We hope to have this resolved soon! Just as a reminder, you can always read alongside us and view the community thread at shereadstruth.com/plans!
I have an iPhone and am able to see all comments. So maybe the device makes the difference. ???
Hi Michelle! Our App Team is working on a fix and we hope to have this resolved soon. Just as a reminder, you can always read alongside us and view the community thread at shereadstruth.com/plans!
Hi! Thank you for responding. I use the website, not the app. I view the website on my phone.
Very humbling read today between the devotional and all ya’lls comments. If I’m being honest, this story is exactly what is happening at work. I am a teacher’s aide (I have a psychology degree, but I must have a teaching degree to be a full-fledged teacher), and I keep getting so ANNOYED that some teachers are paid 3-4x what I am paid AND they get complete control over their classroom,despite them teaching NOTHING all year (literally the kids sleep and play Xbox, but they are 18 and can’t read or write). These frustrations in my limited income and power due to a silly piece of paper have caused me to GO INSANE. I am surprised I have not gone off yet, because I know I can do better than the current teachers. HOWEVER, this reading and the comments reminded me that I must submit to God and his timing because He is all knowing and his timing is best. Maybe this position I am in is part of his big plan. Maybe the two years it takes to complete my teaching degree is the exact timing I need before I take on my own classroom. God knows more than me, and he wants the best for me. SO, for now, help me and pray for me that I don’t get so angry at the circumstances, and pray for me to see the big picture- God’s big picture. I do not want to be like Korah and the rebels. I do not want to be angry or jealous. I want to rest in God’s goodness and his perfect timing. Amen.
Amen, Emily. Continue to trust the Lord in your situation. He will honor you. I think of the verse that says “Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time…” (1 Peter 5:6)
I try to keep this in mind as I work, too, in situations I feel I should be more respected. Your character and faith will be a testimony to others, in this season, too. God knows best, like you said. ❤️ stay faithful, Emily. God bless you always. ❤️
Yes Emily, so good, thank you for being honest!!
Tina, thanks for sharing your story! I’ve been there! Missed judged someone’s heart! This just hit me that I need to truly ask God daily to search my heart! It’s so easy to become a Korah! Complaining about things that I don’t think were handled right. And the words we speak could lead to others destruction! And there is Moses and Aaron showing us how to handle jealousy and people talking about us! They fell before God and prayed. They let God handled it! Moses humility, God’s justice and when we rebel, we lose all common sense. Why did the Israelites complain again the next day after they had seen what had happened to Korah and others?
Man, I’m thankful for Jesus and salvation and God’s discipline to keep us on the narrow path!
What I am seeing again is how serious God takes rebellion/sin. We should never take God’s forgiveness for granted. Romans 6:1-2 says, ” What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? 2 By no means! We are those who have died to sin; how can we live in it any longer?”. We need to take sin seriously and try to avoid it at all costs. Yes, God is full of grace and forgiveness, but I don’t want to pay the consequences for sin even after God forgives me. Repentance means to turn away from sin, not keep doing it and asking for forgiveness over and over again. Sin is serious business. Just ask the Israelites.
Numbers 16 had me sitting on the edge of my seat and I found Elliot Ritzema’s commentary so helpful in helping me understand what was taking place here. SRT staff also did an amazing job with the added verses from the Bible. This all spoke to me in multiple ways that I will be thinking about today. To name a few; jealousy, humility, justice, and a big one, not following false prophets who can speak part of the truth. So much to take in today.
Amen. The verses from Psalm 46 really reminded me of God’s justice and judgement coming to our nations that rebel, today.
I love that the author of today’s devotional points to how Moses and Aaron handled the rebellion. Instead of anger and doubling down on their stance, their automatic reaction was to humble themselves and pray. Wow. That’s so counterintuitive for me. I need to keep this at the forefront of my mind when dealing with conflict.
Yes, so good!
Agreed!!
After reading those verses in Numbers but before I read today’s devotion by ELLIOT RITZEMA… the word “humble” was tugging at my heart By the comments it sounds like I am not the only one who thinks that humility is not their strong suit.
Let’s be more humble today and every day, sweet She’s! It’s difficult, but with His help…
Jealousy never ends good! Clearly Korah and the Reubenites were not happy that God chose Moses and Aaron. But even beyond that – their jealousy clouded their vision. Moses and Aaron did not choose to be the leader of the Israelite’s and the high priest, they were chosen for their positions by God. Neither asked for it – God made the decsion.
Numbers 12:3 clearly states that Moses was a humble man, he didn’t even want the “job” in the first place! But God – he took this humble man who was not gifted in speaking, and made him the head over all of His people! God ways are not our ways – but His ways are ALWAYS best!
Today I am reminded that I need to humbly accept the gifts and position that God gives me – whether great or small. Jealousy only leads to destruction, if not physically – spiritually.
Lord God, help me to honor and respect the place you give me in this life. Remind me that Your ways are better than mine. Help me to be content with whatever You decide for my life. And help me to live for Your glory, not my own.
A Blessed Wednesday for my sweet sisters!
Amen to your prayer, Sharon! ❤
I agree in prayer with you, Sharon. I hope you had a blessed Mother’s Day… Was thinking of you and enjoyed seeing your Brooklyn Bridge pictures. Lived there for a few short years before COVID so it has my heart a bit…❤️
I wrestle with the positions God puts me in… But as I was responding to Emily’s post above, I am reminded that God is more concerned for our character than our job… Our jobs change but our character continues to be molded to Christ.
Numbers has so many Mic Drop Moments. God is so patient but when He’s had it, He doesn’t play. (Amanda would say “Ooof!”)
True❣️
Lord let me have discernment to Your Word and will. In Jesus name, Amen
Today was tough reading, seeing God’s wrath meted out due to blatant rebellion, disobedience and rejection toward Him. Wow. Thank you, LORD and Christ, for the perfect plan for our salvation and the ultimate sacrifice that continues to make it available.
—
Psalm 119:10-11
10 With my whole heart I have sought You;
Oh, let me not wander from Your commandments!
11 Your word I have hidden in my heart,
That I might not sin against You.
—
LORD, may it be so. Amen.
❤ Amen
Good morning ladies. I thought I’d let you all know that on the podcast “pray everyday” Mary Demuth has just started Numbers. She reads some verses and then prays them. Just beautiful! And only 5 minutes! Have a blessed day!
Thank you, Tami C for the recommendation. I am going to listen today. ❤️
Thank you for sharing!
Thank you! ❤
I’m a self-proclaimed podcast junkie… will check it out. thanks! The “Let’s Read rather Gospels” podcast is ending, so I would like something to “replace” it.
Moses’ humility here is rewarded with God fighting for him.
I have much to learn about letting God fight my battles, especially when dealing with people at work.
KIM – any word on your mom’s bloodwork?
CASSIDY THOMPSON – continued prayers for the Lord to encourage you and your family
SUSAN RICHARDSON – how’s your daughter? Has she come home from the hospital?
Amen, KELLY ❤️ Coworker dynamics and relationships can be so complicated and challenging! I work alone from home and it’s still true … me, myself and I. :/
LORD, please guide our hearts and minds today, and every day.
We often work in the Church to be seen and to gain a seat “at the table”, but God already sees us. Our hearts is what the Lord wants. Love the Lord our God with all our hearts and love our neighbors as ourselves. If we stay focused on everything belongs to the Lord and serve in our role, we can walk in our purpose. Be a blessing to someone else.
Yes! Exactly. And, if we are focusing on God and other, versus ourselves, we are practicing humility.
In my NLT study Bible, there is a write up about Korah. It says, “Korah’s story gives us numerous warnings.” Once of the warnings is, “Don’t use part of God‘s Word to support what you want, rather than allowing its entirety to shape your wants.”
WOW. That really speaks to me. We need to be in the whole story, not just what accommodates us. Thank you, Lord, for the reminder.
Blessed Wednesday, Sisters. ❤️
♥️
❤️. I love this too, Tricia. Thank you for sharing! Have a blessed day!
Tricia C – thank you for that insight!!! What a good reminder!
Whoa..that’s good!
♥️
Numbers 16:9 | “Isn’t it enough for you that the God of Israel has separated you from the Israelite community to bring you near to himself, to perform the work at the Lord’s tabernacle, and to stand before the community to minister to them?”
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Dear Father,
You chose the Israelites to be Your people. You gave each of them a purpose and special tasks to fulfill.
For our good and Your glory.
How often do I fail to recognize my calling? How often do I think I deserve more or better?
How often do I distrust Your goodness?
May we, like Moses and Aaron, “fall face down” into prayer.
May we submit to Your will and produce good fruit.
May we rest and rejoice in “the atonement You offer through the death of Jesus who vindicates us”.
In Jesus’ name,
AMEN.
“How often do I think I deserve more or better?” Ouch. So true. Thank you for this sincere and convicting prayer.
Yes. Agree! Thank Julia
❤ Amen
I don’t deserve more and better, but I certainly think I do! I echo KAREN ELIZABETH… ouch!! You knocked that ball out of the park, JULIA C!
Oh, my rebellious heart is convicted today!
Some years ago, after a ‘bomb’ hit our church, we got a new pastor. So very different from the charismatic one we had previously. In Bible speak.. he was as different as the east is from the west..
At one of our early days staff prayers, he said hello and asked how I was.. I was about to respond, when I realized he had moved on to someone else! Having rejection issues from an early age, and having realised with the previous vicar, that if you didn’t fit the middle class mould, you may as well be invisible, I thought to myself, here we go again. This happened 3 times and each time my heart sank even further. The fourth time, I asked him if he was truly interested, because if he wasn’t, he shouldn’t bother or even waste his time on an unimportant person such as myself.. Upset, I went on to say, I could see there were others, clearly, more important than myself..
The rebel in me had had enough.. no more.. I told myself and walked away leaving him standing..
BUT GOD..
Oh, BUT GOD..
I think he has a sense of humour (I KNOW He does), as we sat down to listen to the staff prayers talk, the only chair available was one next to me, so who should be looking for somewhere to sit.. the vicar..!
Stiffly, I looked ahead. I was not going to give THIS man, my time or space.. I was done being ignored or feeling insignificant! From the front, came the request to get together in twos and tell each other how you are feeling and how best they can pray for you! You have got to be kidding me, right?
Through all the thoughts swimming around in my head, don’t speak, he won’t hear you, he’ll probably make an excuse to go somewhere, I heard..
“Tina, I’m sorry! I have been told a few times in the last couple of weeks that this is what I do. I was told in a more gentle way than your approach, but I HEARD YOU. I’m sorry! I shall work on it. Feel free to pull me up on it should ot happen again.
Well I was not expecting that!
Maybe my rebellion that day, was what he needed for the wake up call, but I have also learnt that my insecurities should not cloud (there’s that word again in a negative form) my judgement in certain situations. The new vicar was finding his feet, wanting to please everyone, never good..
BUT GOD..
AMEN.
Running late for work..
Much love, dear hearts, always,
Tina ♥️
Oh, so feel you, Tina. Thankful the Lord moved on both of your hearts.
Love this testimony, TINA ❤️ Our Awesome God working on the both you in that meeting, in and amongst all His countless other works.
Ouch! But having been in a similar situation a time or two, I found with God’s “sense of humor” we were either humble or got humbled. One fella’s ego just would not let him see nor hear how he came across, til he seriously misspoke & was ‘asked’ to stop being our pastor. In a strange turn about, I felt compelled to defend him as he was asked what he felt personally on this particular subject, and he spoke from his heart, not what council wanted him to say and some screamed “blasphemy!” & tore their clothes…not really, but some stopped listening to his explanation and made sure the story told was way worse than the real statement. The ground rumbled a bit in our little country church but luckily didn’t open up & swallow anyone – lessons were learned about perceived power, ego and human nature.
Thank you for sharing this Tina; very much relate to you in this story!
❤️