Numbers 16 - 17 Bible Study - Pastor Daniel Batarseh

Father, thank you for Gathering us as the family of God

together. Lord, we know that we all have

our own families and we celebrate Thanksgiving with

them. But Lord, here we are, is the

family of God in Christ, and we are thankful for your word

tonight, Lord. Because we know that this is

what feeds us and keeps us and sustains us and Lord.

If there's anybody in here, that does not know the saving power

of Jesus Christ. Even from numbers.

Lord, would you reveal yourself in Christ and Lord?

Save save some saved one. Lord to add to the family of

God. We know that your return is soon

though. We know that this Bible study is

not just to acquire information but to know how to live in light

of our Salvation And so Lord help us may you speak clearly

Lord into the hearts of every single.

One of us in this room in Jesus name we pray, amen.

Amen. Numbers chapter 16.

Numbers 16 · chapter mention

We are Ewing through the Wilderness journey of the

Israelites and what we've learned up to this point is that

it's the little things that can change.

The course of Our Lives Numbers. Chapter 14 is really the down

Numbers 14 · chapter mention

the beginning of the downhill spiral of the Israelites and

what did it begin with? What did it begin with it began

with complaining and oh, how far complaining can take someone, if

they do not know how to tame it by the power of the Holy Spirit.

And now we come to Numbers chapter 16 and we read the first

Numbers 16 · chapter mention

few verses to understand another cycle that they found themselves

in. And this time, it was something

that might seem so small and hidden but can like complaining

become so deadly and that is envy Envy as a root of

insecurity. Stemming from a place in which

one has placed our identity in something or someone else other

than God. And so we see now a division,

taking place amongst the people of God, because there are a

group of individuals that were coveting, something that didn't

belong to them. and just for the sake of reminder, look at verse

eight. When Moses is speaking to Cora

this chapter is known as korah's rebellion and look up.

Moses says this is such an insightful thing.

He brings about him and Moses said to Cora here.

Now you sons of Levi is it too small?

A thing for you is it too small? A thing that's where the problem

started for the sons of Korah. If you don't remember who the

sons of Korah were they are descendants of kohath.

And kohath, has been given the responsibility in this A of age

to transport the Tabernacle pieces from spot to spot.

That's a, that's a hefty Duty. That's a glorious duty to touch

the holy things and transport them.

Forgot to give somebody that that that's a special calling

but they have failed to realize the significance of it and they

saw their tasks as a small thing.

And any time you and I begin to see what God has given us the

capacity of our ministry or whatever.

Gifting is as a small thing, we are creating a breeding ground

for Envy covetousness and security and there's no end to

where that can take us. It's a dangerous cancer to the

soul. Envy jealousy is bitter.

Proverbs, tell us that wrath and anger is one thing, but who can

stand before jealousy? And so Cora.

Now recruits a gang of people to rebel against.

Not just Moses and Aaron but specifically Aaron and what he

was doing as a priest, we see that.

Look at the end here in verse 11, look what Moses says, he's

kind of figuring it out as they are giving their false

accusations. This is what is Aaron that you

Grumble against them. He realized that this is really

about these guys wanting to be priests.

Now, we have to remember this. This is important to frame it.

All Levi's, anybody that's from Levi, any levite.

It's not necessarily a priest. So you have Levites who are

instructed to work and around the Tabernacle, but the sons of

Aaron specifically were only to be priests the rest of the

Levites were given the task to assist the priests, but that

wasn't good enough for the sons of Korah, they want it to be the

priests themselves. And they really wanted to be

somewhere with the high priest specifically, because, look what

happens in verse 16. That's where we land off.

Now, the challenge comes from Moses.

To the sons of Korah. And Moses said, sikora be

present you and all your company before the Lord you and they and

Aaron tomorrow and let every one of you take his sensor and put

incense on it and every one of you bring before the Lord, his

sensor 250 sensors. You also an errand each his

sensor So, here was a challenge. The next day you guys are really

want to become priests. Bring your sensors before the

Lord. Now why?

Why? That of all things.

What's the idea behind Moses giving this instruction to the

sons of Korah? What's the idea of a sensor?

What does that have to do with all that we're talking about?

Anybody have an idea. Think back, think back to that,

the role of a priest. Well, there's only really one

place that gives instruction of what the high priest was to do

with the sensor and Leviticus 16 12 and what the high priest was

to do is once a year on what day once a year on the day of

atonement, he was to go into the most.

Holy place with a sensor and with a coal on it to create a

cloud to cover the Ark of the Covenant, less that priest dies.

So that that sensor belongs only to one man, for one day.

And I says, though, Moses are saying if you really want to

become a high priest, bring your sensors come into the presence

of God and let's see who's God's going to choose for this task?

Here's the thing that we need to understand, we don't have to

fall into the same trap as Cora in the New Covenant.

Do you know why Cora wanted that?

I want to be that high priest that goes into the most holy

place you and I don't have to covet or fall into that sin.

You know why? Because we all have access to

the presence of God, We all have the ability to come into the

most, holy place, because Jesus tore the Veil.

And so, you know what that means for all of us, no matter what

you do, whether you hold a microbe room, you know what that

means? You don't have to fall into this

Rebellion. I don't have to fall into this

Rebellion because you and I are all on the same level.

We all have access to the presence of God is that not our

ultimate Pursuit. The only way you can find

yourself here is, if you are pursuing anything other than

God, And so he says, okay, do you want to be priests, you

bring your sensors and let's come before the Lord.

And let's see what the Lord says unless you who the Lord chooses.

So we see in verse 19, then Korra all this.

Now it's getting Troublesome. Then Cora assembled all the

congregation against them at the entrance of the tent of meeting,

and the glory of the Lord appeared to all the

congregation. You don't want to be found and

willful Disobedience. When the free of God shows up.

The glory of the Lord, comes verse 20, and the Lord spoke to

Moses. And to Aaron saying, separate

yourselves from among this congregation that, I may consume

them in a moment. So the Lord addresses Moses and

Aaron and it seems as though Cora was successful in

recruiting the entire congregation to rebel against

this Authority. And the Lord says, move out of

the way. Let me take care of them.

It will only take a second. And I see something here because

when we went back to Numbers Chapter 12 we found Aaron under

Numbers 12 · chapter mention

the same indictment with his sister.

When they criticized Moses and his authority in the past and

the same God that was ready to judge.

Aaron in. That moment was the same God

that is now defending him. You see that the Lord is now in

the defense of Aaron. Why?

Because Aaron realizes wrong. And now he's in the right.

And God does not hold our past sins against us.

That's a beautiful truth. The Lord doesn't come and say

are and look what you did. Look at you and your sister to

look at the example that you let.

No, no, he doesn't do any of that, he never holds what you've

done in the past against you. You know what it says in the

scriptures that he will not, remember our sins anymore.

Do you think God just erases it from his memory of what you and

I have done in the past? Is that what happens when he

says in Hebrews, that he will not remember our sins anymore.

When the authors quoting? Jeremiah And your sins.

Will I remember no more, you know, it doesn't mean that he

forgets. It means that he chooses not to

use it against you. That's what it means.

Forgot to forget means that he loses his omniscience.

It's not the case. And that's what forgiveness is

for us. We don't forgive and forget.

I know that's a fabulous phrase that we use all the time but

it's not biblical. You can't forget, that's asking

something of us, that's not possible.

But what we do is even though it's been a traumatic

experience, we choose not to use that against you.

I choose not to use that against you choose, not to use that

against me. So the Lord here who came to a

place with Aaron. Ready to discipline his.

Now defending him now using his past against him.

Praise be to God. And so he says, Aaron Moses move

out of the way I can do this. Something happens, verse 22, and

they fell on their faces and said the amount of times that

these men especially Moses have done this.

Oh God. The god of the spirits of All

Flesh. Shall one man?

Sin and will you be angry with all the congregation?

And the Lord spoke to Moses saying, say to the congregation

get away from the dwelling of Korah dathan and abiram.

What do you take out of those verses?

Anything that sticks out there are many things that stick out.

Yeah. so if there's one lesson I can take out of this up to this

point in Exodus and numbers, There's one truth that you and I

must understand is that God is willing to relent and judging a

person or a People based on the prayer of one individual.

How many times has God relented on judging this People based on

one person as a reflux, who knew how to fall on his face and get

before the Lord on behalf of even those that are rebelling

against him. As the leader, it is a powerful

picture of intercession and the power of it.

How many How many times have we seen this?

And what is that saying to us is surely the scriptures want to

teach us something in an indirect manner, That the prayer

of a righteous man is surely effective.

Surely effective and I don't understand how this thing prayer

Works in terms of how when I pray for somebody salvation or I

pray for somebody's well I don't know how God does that when it

comes to his sovereignty and Man's Free Will.

But if there's one conclusion, I can make from the scriptures

when it relates to a man praying for whether it's an unbeliever,

a Christian, whose backs. And if there's one truth that we

can take out of this, it's this that when we pray God is willing

to relent and acting in. Me.

Think of Abraham and lot think of all the moments in scripture,

when a person prays that God is willing to answer that Prayer by

holding back on acting in a way that would be unfortunate for

that person. Keep praying for that family

member. Keep praying for your son.

Keep praying for your daughter. Keep praying for your siblings.

Keep praying for your parents. You never know what your prayers

are doing in terms of God's dealing with them holding back,

the powers of Hell of consuming that person and letting them

slip into an eternity eternity without Christ.

Keep praying. Moses and Aaron drop to their

knees. They come to the place where

they cry out to the Lord. And they say Lord shall one man

sin and all the people pay for it.

Now, the whole congregation has been rallied up though, so they

are in the wrong. But there is a lesson here in

understanding. How sin works, though.

All of these individuals that are standing against God are in

trouble with God. There is a greater

responsibility, placed upon the person who enticed and tempted

those to sin. So, the person being tempted, is

not as much in trouble as a person who was the tempter.

This is not an old Covenant thing.

This is very much New Testament in Luke 17 one where Jesus says

temptation is surely to come, but woe to those from whom it

comes. It's better that he take a

millstone that's a grinding thing, a rock that grinds things

wrap it around his neck and be thrown into the sea then to

cause these little ones to sin. So the idea there is Temptation,

surely to come, but it is a scary thing, if you're the

source of that Temptation, and you are the hook that's bringing

somebody. D into a decision.

That is contrary to the will of God.

And so Cora and his band that started in verse 1 or under a

greater indictment than those who have been recruited.

So they are praying for God to have mercy upon mainly those who

have been duped into Rebellion Look at verse 24 and do you

notice a detail? And we talked about it last week

but I wonder if anybody remembers look at these names

and see if you remember what we talked about briefly last week,

say to the congregation get away from the dwelling of Korah,

dathan and abiram. Sandy.

There's somebody missing, right? Look at verse 1 of 16 Cora.

The son of Levi dathan and abiram.

And who else was there on the son of telleth?

Somebody bailed out. And good for him and he did it

way. Back in verse 12, Moses sent to

called dathan and abiram, after you spoke to Cora and on

realized something, maybe I got duped into this thing.

In the beginning, I got tricked, I got caught up in the gossip,

got caught up in this idea of taking over the priesthood, but

I'm going to step out. And guess what?

The Lord doesn't do. He doesn't hold it against him.

And we talked about this last week that even if that seed of

envies in her heart, if that seed of pride is in there, if

that seed of rebellion, we see it in its larvae state.

As long as we are willing to deal with it in that moment and

not let it act up and bear fruit in our lives.

God is willing to be gracious to us.

That's what happens here, on steps away and we don't hear of

him or see of him. After this moment, it's a

beautiful picture of a person coming to their senses and we're

going to see that even more with a different kind of people.

So what happens here, Moses Rose and went to dathan and abiram,

and verse 25, and the Elders of Israel, followed him.

So, the elders. Now followed these leaders the

same Elders that were anointed at the Spirit, just a few

chapters earlier. Now, come alongside the

authority that Has been accused falsely and look, what Moses

does. He spoke to the congregation

saying depart please in the King James.

I pray you from the tents of these wicked men and touch

nothing of. There's less you be swept away

with all their sins. So they got away from the

dwelling of Korah dathan and abiram.

Whenever you and I partner with a divisive person or people it

is a guarantee for self-destruction.

I'll say that one more time whenever you and I partner with

a divisive person or people that is intentionally stirring up

something to cause a split to cause type of uproar It is a

guarantee for self-destruction in your spiritual life.

Let's go to 3rd, John. That little letter right before

the book of Jude, right before the Book of Revelation.

The early church had to deal with this.

I've said this before, but I'll say it again.

Oftentimes, and I've said it as well, we say, Lord make us like

the book of Acts. We have a source of what part

would be very specific. I think what we want is the book

of Acts before chapter 5, because after chapter five

things, get kind of ugly. And we almost think that the

early church did not have to deal with issues when in

specific moments. They actually had to deal with

bigger issues than we're dealing with today.

Just read 1st Corinthians and you think that's a church.

We come to third John, and we see something in which the

Apostle of Love is writing out to and look here in verse 9.

I have written something to the church, but the ultra fists who

likes to put himself first, does not acknowledge our Authority.

So if I come, I will bring up what he is doing talking Wicked

nonsense against us and not content with that.

He refuses to welcome, the brothers and also stops those

who want to and puts them out of the church.

So here's his fellow named diotrephes who is clearly

causing trouble. Who's clearly trying to dismiss

the authority of the Apostles. And he seems like he's trying to

take lead and call the shots and the place.

How does somebody get to that place?

Where they can kick people, whoever they want and bring in

whoever they want and is speaking Wicked nonsense to the

rest of the members about the leaders.

That have preached, the gospel to them and planted, these

churches and appointed Elders. It all starts with the

description of the orifice. This is how it all starts, who

likes to put himself first, and the King James says, who desires

preeminence See if our hearts come to that place.

An alarm has to go off whenever we desire to be first whether

that's in position and recognition and admiration

whatever it is when we want to be number one in a way where we

receive praise and we want that Authority in our hands and God

has not given it to us. We have to be careful.

The artifice is not operating in the spirit of Christ.

Diotrephes is operating in the spirit of Satan hundred percent

you say how In Isaiah 14, you have to turn there.

But in Isaiah 14 there's a little excerpt of a description

of Satan's fall. And Isaiah 14, and Isaiah 14:14

Isaiah 14:14

is, specifically sends I will Ascend to the heavens and I will

be like the most high. So you don't want that Spirit.

Satan wanted to do. He wanted to go high.

I want to go as high as I can. I want to be in the top.

I want to be like God, I want to come to a place where I sit on

God's Throne, where people recognize and worship me.

That is the literal opposite spirit in which Christ operating

when you want Christ said, and his description of Philippians

Philippians 2:5

2:5 that he went low, He became a servant, he went the opposite

direction. He humbled himself.

And so Isaiah 14. It shows us the direction that

Satan's heart. Wasn't, I want to go as high as

possible. I want everyone to see me.

I want everyone to recognize. I want everybody.

Jesus says, I want to come as low as possible.

So low that I'm going to take a towel and wipe the feet of dirty

men. And this is what we have to ask

ourselves every single day. Lord, what direction does my

heart? Go into?

Where is it wanting to go into today?

The artifice had the unfortunate.

Position here where he was called out by leader to say

because you wanted to be first, look at the Havoc that you're

causing the assembly. Here's another verse Titus,

Chapter 10, excuse me, verse 10 of chapter 3, As for a person

who stirs up the vision after warning him once, and then twice

have nothing more to do with him.

And I want to read this because you can you can almost hear what

I just said and say are you. That's kind of heavy for to say

that a person who is divisive is destructive.

I'm not saying that this is Bible language, Titus 310 have

nothing to do with him. This is this is the same call

that Moses making, guys, get away from the tents of these

men. Why?

Knowing that such a person is Warped and sinful, he's

self-condemned. The church is the body of

Christ. And for a person to come to the

body of Christ and attempt to rip apart the body.

Think of that imagery to rip apart the body to remove members

from the unified thing that Christ has created?

According to God is Warped and self-condemned.

So, the artifice was coveting, something that was not his and

even if a person we almost, were almost hearing something like

this, and it almost gives a one up for those that are in

authority to think that they can Lord it over people because of

the position that they've been given.

Listen, any spiritual leader in your local church, including

this one has no Authority in your personal life.

Their Authority has been given by God to manage to watch over

to secure the church, the local church.

And give instruction and exhortation concerning your walk

with the Lord, but there is no permission for any Spiritual

Authority to begin to tell you what to do against your will and

manipulate you. No, no, that's not what

authorities about any time. You see a Authority given in

scripture? It's not just leader.

It's always servant leader. Always they come to serve you.

Not lorded over you. That's what Peter told the

elders and first Peter 5, let's come back to Numbers chapter 16.

Numbers 16 · chapter mention

Get away from the tents verse 27.

So they got away from the dwelling of Korah dathan and

abiram and dathan and abiram. Now, look at their posture.

So, these guys run and you would think at this point that, these

people would be convicted enough to repent know.

It says that they came out and stood at the door of their tents

together with their wives, their sons and their little ones.

So everybody else have been to them.

But here's my family and they're standing in defiance of God's

Authority saying pretty much with this position, this

posture, Bring It On. Bring It On.

They stood at their tents and Moses said, here, by now, Moses

about to give something in which the people of God would not

think what's about to happen was by mere coincidence.

He's about to lay out a specific scenario in which the people

will know that he and Aaron have not exalted themselves to this

position of leadership, but God has appointed them to such a

call. And so what does he say?

If these guys as paraphrase, if these guys right here that are

rebelling if they die a natural death then we appointed

ourselves and were in the wrong but look how specific this is

but if the Lord opens up the Earth and swallowed them, you'll

know that we've been called now, if you are Cora, A buyer more

dathan at this point. Surely you should be trembling

but no they've allowed their hearts to come to such a state

in which even a threat such like this.

There's not move them. And you know what, I think at

this point, they didn't really have much of a choice because

once Moses finishes his sentence, it happened.

What does it say here? Verse 29.

If these men dies, all men die, or if they are visited by the

fate of all mankind than the Lord has not sent me, but if the

Lord creates something new and the ground opens its mouth and

swallows them up with all that belongs to them and they go down

alive at the she'll then you shall know that these men have

despised the Lord verse 31 as soon as he had finished

speaking. All these words, it happened.

Who are the two men that went to heaven alive?

You know, and Elijah and behold. You have the first people that

went to Sheila live, the sons of Korah, rather the Cora.

The sons of Korah, we're going to see what happened to them.

Korah dathan and abiram, went to she ol, the Underworld the grave

alive. And everybody saw it.

Everybody witnessed it. So look how the scribes and

verse 31, the ground under them, split apart, and the Earth

opened its mouth and swallowed them up with their households

and all the people who belong to Cora and all their goods,

literally everything. So they came to a place where

they stood against Moses and Aaron with their families and a

posture of pride. And got a humbles, those who are

proud and their Elite wipe them off the face of the Earth

without exaggeration. Close the Earth.

It makes them disappear from the scene.

The intensity of this, this judgment just shows how much God

hates Division, I believe, and how much God hates rebellion and

how much God hates a people that are seeking something that's not

theirs. And began to cause trouble

because of it. This chapter does not describe

something that we see later on because it says all their

households and all their goods. Now you have to go to Numbers

Numbers 26 · chapter mention

chapter 26, to see a little detail.

That changes the whole course of the story.

Numbers chapter 26. Let's read from verse 10.

Numbers 26 · chapter mention

This is just retelling the story here and there's one added

detail that is so beautiful. And the Earth opened its mouth

and swallowed them up together with Cora.

When that company died, when the fire devoured, 250 men and they

became a warning. Look at verse 11, but the sons

of Korah did not die. What is that mean?

We don't see that in Numbers chapter 16.

Numbers 16 · chapter mention

We see in Numbers chapter 26 and it shines a whole new light on

Numbers 26 · chapter mention

the story and what's that light? Merci.

Absolutely Mercy on God's part, wisdom on the sons of Korah

part. So that little verse the sons of

Korah did not die changes how this scene really plays out in

our minds this and not because what I read here in Numbers,

Numbers 16 · chapter mention

chapter 16 is the earth splits, open Korah, dathan a Byron, all

their house with all their Goods, close Verse 11 tells us

that somebody didn't go into sheol and that was the sons of

Korah. So it repaints, the whole scene

in this is the scene. You go back to verse 16 down,

specifically, verse 25, 26 27. Moses comes and he tells the

whole congregation listen, depart from the dwellings of

Korah dathan, abiram, get out of here.

You don't want to be a part of this group.

You don't want to be a part of this device of people and we see

that the whole congregation moves but you know who else

moves the sons of Korah. Ah, So this is what it looks

like you, have Korah dathan the byrom with their families and

when Moses makes the call, the sons of Korah are looking at

their families. Looking at Moses, looking at

their families. Looking at Moses, they look at

their dads and say dad's we love you, but we love God more.

And they step away. From the dwellings of wickedness

and perhaps, that's what the sons of Korah had in mind in

Psalms, 84 10. Where it says, what?

I'd rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than to

dwell in the tents of weakness. What does that mean in light at

this? The house of their own father's

that rebelled against Authority? As a lot more deeper, meaning

there's a not we have that truth generally understand.

I'd rather be with with the Lord and his house then to be

anywhere else in the world. But let's look at it

specifically, I'd rather be with the Lord then with my family.

I'd rather be for God and lose everything else, including my

dad, that raised me up and all the possessions that they

blessed us with, that means nothing in light of honoring.

God, That's significant. Now we read them, we go that's a

great Insight but now feel it feel the text.

You have sons of a family that walked away and saw their entire

household swallowed up by the Earth.

Standing in a place of absolute, awe and Terror.

Shirley But God bless that. God bless that. because I

believe based on that one decision, Well, we see later on

in the narrative, specifically with the sons of Korah is quite

astounding. So, as much as this site is so

terrifying. As our brother mentioned, we

also see the tender mercy of God, I praise God, that he does

not with take the wickedness or the sinfulness of our past

generations, and bestowed upon us even as close as your fathers

or mothers that might not be serving God.

That might be rebelling against God.

He doesn't take what they're doing and pin it against you.

He judges each man, according to his own sins.

But this act of allegiance to God was honored by God.

If you read carefully and see what God does with the sons of

Korah. So turn your Bibles with me to

me. Be a place where we would admit.

We would kind of skip over genealogy and First Chronicles

1 Chronicles 6 · chapter mention

chapter 6. Meet me in first Chronicles

1 Chronicles 6 · chapter mention

chapter 6. To see something quite

astounding. Verse 31, these are the men whom

David put in charge of the service of song in the house of

the Lord. After the ark rested there, he's

about to describe. Now, the worship leaders that

have been chosen by David, to sing continually in the service

of worship in song. In the Tabernacle, they

ministered with song before the Tabernacle, the tent of meeting

until Solomon, built the house of the Lord in Jerusalem and

they performed their service, according to their order.

Now, look at this list. These are the men who served and

And their sons of the sons of the coefficients.

She meant the singer of the son of Joel.

Now, look at this. Son of Samuel son of elkanah.

Which Samuel are we? Speaking of here?

Which Samuel? We speaking of you, the prophet.

Who was a descendant of Cora. And so you have God in the days

of Hannah, Eli the high priest when there was such a pasta

seen, apathy amongst specifically the spiritual

leaders. And God is looking for a profit.

God is looking for a spokesperson.

God is looking for a man, that was established righteousness

and Justice in the land and, you know, who he doesn't bypass,

because of their history Cora. He finds a man from The

Descendant of the sons of Korah and chooses him to be a

messenger and representative of him.

And not just that, not just Samuel the prophet. realize that

one of the main, People, for the worship of the Tabernacle was a

descendant of Cory. You see that?

At the end of verse 37, look at verse 37.

See that name their Cora, son of Cora.

You trace these names back at all, goes back to Korra and it

says specifically in verse 31, that David chose himin who was a

worship leader, descendant of Cora to have such an awesome

responsibility at the service of the Tabernacle.

David could have chose whoever he wanted amongst the Levites.

He could have ignored Korra and the lineage, and the genetic

genealogy in the heritage, of course, that he carried.

But no, he sees Cora a descendant of him though, it's

distant chooses them. You re later on his second

chronicles, you see that there is a group of Cora people from

Cora. Worshiping the Lord, you see in

Psalms that 11, Psalms in the psalter have been written by the

sons of Korah. And you think David chose This

man to be a leader. Of the songs.

I think to myself, why did David choose that?

And I don't want to read too much into David's thoughts. but

perhaps though, distant from what we read in number 16,

Perhaps David had an understanding.

Of the sons of Korah. That they would make great

worship leaders. Because I one point in their

history that the sons of Korah, make a stance for God that they

would rather choose God even over their own blood family,

that they would rather choose God, that have the security of

whatever they were rather choose God, no matter what position

that they've been given. And perhaps David said, you know

what They displayed something in contrast to their fathers.

I think they would make great song leaders.

Willing to step out in anything and for anything for the glory

and honor of God. Maybe David had that Revelation

when choosing leaders and choosing servants, Those make

the best worshippers whether in song or any type of service,

when those people have already determined in their hearts, take

it any take anything away from you.

Take my own family away from me, I'm still going to serve him.

I'm still going to love him. As terrifying as it might be to

be separate, even from my loved ones, if it's for the Lord, I'm

going to do it. Those are the most effective

Servants of God. Those are the ones that when

they when they truly lead and when they truly serve, you know

that they're doing it ever love for God.

Maybe David didn't recruit them though.

Skill is important though Talent is important.

There's something deeper in the sons of Korah a Devotion to God

that was rare. We see that in the Psalms that

we not one of the most intimate, Psalms one of the most

heartfelt, the voted Psalms concerning relationship to God

and sacrifice to God and searching for God, is from the

sons of Korah and I believe because it's come from a place

in which they've already determined within, God is

Worthy. You give or take away this in

matter. Here's an example.

Psalms 46. You can turn there if you want

but it's so known. I'm sure as I read it, you'll

know it. God is our refuge and strength.

A very present help in trouble. Now, look at the description of

this. Maybe, maybe, maybe this is the

image that the sons of Korah had though.

They weren't there at the time of writing this, we don't know

when it was written but maybe this image from number. 16 came

to mine when they wrote Psalms 46 specially in this one line.

God is our refuge and strength. A very present help in trouble.

Therefore we will not fear though.

The Earth gives way. Though the mountains be moved

into the heart of the sea, though, its Waters Roar and foam

though the mountains tremble at its swelling.

Is it possible that the sons of Korah thought of their history?

When at one point Cora rebelled and the Earth gave way and

swallow them up? And surely the people, the sons

were fearful of such a sight but they trusted in God who was The

Refuge and strength. It's a thought.

But oh those who go to Great Lengths to show their Allegiant

and express their Devotion to God.

In spite of all things, they make great worshippers And

worship leaders. So, we come back to number 16.

And we read verse 35. So you have Korah dathan and

abiram swallowed up by the Earth and then you have those 250

Chief leaders that came with their sensors and what does God

do while he dealt with the first ones by letting them go down?

And for the second group, he let something come from heaven and

fire came out from the Lord and consumed.

The 250 men offering the incense that shows me one thing in that

one verse that God rejects the worship of those people who are

divisive Thus, they came with her incense, which is a form of

worship and God consumed them in Flames because God is not

interested in receiving worship from those that are trying to

divide his people. What happens verse. 36 God takes

advantage of this moment in his Mercy.

Gives instruction for his people concerning generations to come

because he knows something about the human nature that we are

bound to repeat the same mistakes that we've made even

though it costs very much. So he tells Eliezer this

analyzer. Take those sensors that were

consumed with those men and build something with it.

Hammer it out and make it covering And what this covering

will do is will be placed upon the altar of burnt sacrifices.

And what that will do is continually remind the people of

what happened in this day, for the rest of the Wilderness

journey and the rest of time, that's what it says in verse 40.

Look at verse 42. Be a reminder to the people of

Israel so that no Outsider who is not of the descendants of

Aaron. Should draw near to burn incense

before the Lord, lest he become like Korah and his company.

As a lord said to him through Moses.

In order to preserve the Purity and the Holiness of my people

again, the people are in need of another visual aid.

The first one, we read a numbers. 15 was what these

tassels that will remind him of The Commandments of God.

Now he brings this golden plate thing, this covering for the for

the burnt offering Altar. And he says they're going to see

that and they're gonna remember now how much more will the

people who are kohathites remember as they carry that

thing. Remember their instructor at the

carry the furniture and so they would remember as they Carry

that thing. Oh, gosh.

We're going to stick to this responsibility, thankful for it.

To be a reminder. You know what God's wisdom is in

preserving your Holiness and mind and longevity.

To not just learn from our own failures but to learn from the

failures of others. That's wisdom.

Wisdom does not just Express itself when I realized my

failures and learn from them, wisdom goes beyond that.

Wisdom looks at other people who have fallen not in judgment, not

in criticism, not in self-righteousness.

But realizes like Galatians 6:1 says that if your brother Falls

Galatians 6:1

don't be careful, lest you too be tempted by the same

Temptation. When you see someone fall, when

you see something happen in another person's life, learn

from their failures and ask God In Prayer as God and wisdom to

protect you from such a thing yourself.

That's what he's doing. This is God's wisdom.

You need to be reminded people of Israel that you don't fall

into the same trap, because I know the human heart more than

you do. So God is acting and Mercy by

giving this out and you would think, okay, we're ready to move

Israel, you're ready to move, we're ready to go.

We can move on here. Let's learn from our mistakes.

Let's not do that. Let's be content and what God's

given us? Happy Thanksgiving verse 41.

But on the next day, you have got to be kidding me.

You have got to be kidding me, but on the next day, all the

congregation of the people of Israel grumbled against Moses

and against Aaron saying, you have killed the people of the

Lord. Like, not even two days.

Not even a week. The conference.

Hi didn't even last 24 hours. And what a conference that was

that would be an interesting conference when the earth

swallows up some people. Go back and see here.

In verse 34 and I wonder why that wasn't preserved till the

next day and all Israel who are around them fled at their cry

for they said less the Earth swallow us up.

So the Earth swallows up these men and their families and you

what the people do? They scatter and scream at the

top of their lungs. Unless the Earth swallows up and

then the next day they go, you killed the people of the Lord.

That tells you. And I something about the human

heart, that no matter, how wonderful, unfortunately, even

terrifying, God displays his majesty in his glory.

It takes a supernatural transformation of the human

heart to bring a true change. One day men and you're accusing

and you've identified them wrongly.

The people of the Lord, we're going to find out that he calls

them Rebels God. Cause these men Rebels, and they

identified, you killed the people of the Lord.

And you're accusing the true people of God.

Who are acting like it as least. You have killed the people of

the Lord. What happens when the

congregation is assembled against Moses and against Aaron,

they turn towards the tent of meeting and behold.

Here we go, the cloud covered it, and the glory of the Lord

appeared, And what happens verse 45, the Lord says, get away from

the midst of this congregation that.

I may consume them in a moment. And the Lord meant it.

They fell on their faces and Moses knew that something had

broken out. A plague had broken out and so

intense, was this plague, look at the language.

He tells Aaron to do what to quickly go.

Grab an incense to go into the midst of the camp to make

atonement for the people that plague has begun at the end of

verse 46. And how this Aaron react.

Aaron. Took it as Moses said and ran

into the midst of the assembly. And the plague had already begun

among the people. I believe that this happened in

a matter of seconds that by the time the Lord said this was

going to happen. And by the time you got errand

to run into the midst of the camp, it was a matter of

seconds, very few minutes. The most and you know what

happened in a matter of that short time frame.

Look how many people died verse 49 on those who died in the

plague were 14,700. The Lord really meant in a

moment. Just a matter of few seconds.

He would, he just almost 15,000 people were wiped off by plague.

You know, what Aaron does? He runs in grace and mercy to

make atonement for the people. He does not wait a moment.

He does it as quick as possible, and he comes to place where he

stands in the gap for these people and God sees his act.

And he honors it. And the people were spared Then

we come to chapter 17 as we close.

God, I said teach his people again so what does he do?

We're not going to read it, but I'll explain it.

He says this is what's going to happen.

In order for you to realize that I've truly chosen Moses and

Aaron you take a staff from each of your tribesmen, every leader,

bring a staff, from every tribe. And when it comes to new

bringing those staffs write the name of the chief on that staff.

Aaron's name is going to be written on the staff dedicated

to Levi and when you bring it, lay them all.

Before the tent of meeting. Lay It All Before, the, the

testimony and what happens, I'm going to show you through this.

Then when I make a specific staff Bud, it will be the

signal. It will be the sign that I've

chosen. This person to be high priest,

and for his descendants to be priests.

So, what happens in verse 8, on the next day, Moses went into

the tent of testimony, behold, the staff of Aaron, and the

house of Levi had sprouted and put forth Buds and produce

blossoms and bore almonds. So, it happens.

He chooses to teach him in this way, look at the stats and they

bring their staffs to the men, each of them, hold it.

And they realize, okay, I'm not supposed to be the priest.

God will defend your ministry if you're truly called by God, If

you've truly been called to a specific thing, you don't need

to defend yourself. God will make it known to

others. That he has called you to

specific tasks and if God has not called you to specific tasks

and you attempt to go into that lane fruitfulness will not come

out of it. Ask the Lord to give you the

grace to understand that your identity is not in this ministry

but that he's called you to it nonetheless and to stay in that

lane and fruit will come out of it.

It's better for fruit to come out of the ministry that God's

called you to then out of weird insecurities or whatever is

going on to step into another Lane not experience fruit.

And this is the miracle that it didn't just bud, but it fully

Blossom went through all the stages overnight and almonds

came out of it. They brought it to the man and

he says, put it in the ark of the testimony put in the Ark of

the Covenant for what reason as a sign for the rebels.

That you may make an end of their grumbling against me.

This is verse 10, lest they die. Thus Moses didn't Lord commanded

him. So he did take that staff and

it's added. So, what items do we have in the

Ark of the Covenant up to this point?

The stop, the tablets Manna, three things, three things.

Now, if there's any other picture that we can get out of

this, it is the power of the Living God, how because he took

these dead branches, which were staffs.

And he brought life to something that was dead.

He made something as though it was connected to a Life Source

though it was not this staff. That was dried up many.

Many months ago is now something that is blossoming and fruitful

and fragrant it speaks. Of resurrection power that God

can bestow and listen as amazing as it is that he did it with his

stick. You know what it is in the New

Covenant, you and me. Thank God, takes you and I were

dead in our trespasses and sins. And what does he do?

He infuses life. So that what was known as dead

to me and to the world to you and to the world.

Now, produces life, produces life.

And we need to know how to tap into that resurrection power,

and it's flooded throughout the New Testament.

That stick did not produce anything on its own to produce

fruit, it relied completely on God, you and I need to do the

same. And the devil would love to rob

that Revelation from you and I more than anything.

Do you know how he did it? Even in a subtle way you say how

turn to 1st Kings? chapter 8, First Kings chapter

1 Kings 8 · chapter mention

8, This is when the temple built by Solomon was dedicated and

they had brought in the Ark of the Covenant.

When they brought in the Ark of the Covenant, there's a little

commentary and what happened to these elements that we just

confessed were in the ark? Look with me here in verse 9.

Let's go to verse 7, for the cherubim spread out, their wings

over the place of the arc so that the cherubim overshadowed,

The Arc of its pole. And its poles, and the poles

were so long that the ends of the polls were seen from the

holy place before the inner Sanctuary that they could not be

seen from outside and they are there to this day.

Verse 9, there was nothing in the ark except the two tablets

of stone that Moses put there with the people at Horeb were

the Lord, I made a covenant with the people of Israel when they

came out of the land of Egypt. So after this place in Israel's

history, Something had happened to two of those items, the Manna

was removed. And so is that the staff by

Aaron that was budded and the only thing that was left, there

was the law. How did that happen?

many speculations, I believe this part that something

happened between The days of first Samuel chapter 1, 2 and 3

1 Samuel 1 · chapter mention

were Eli. Was the high priest and the

Philistines came in and took the ark and was brought back by

David under his Reign, something happened in that time, and I

believe that the Philistines removed it, Because it's the

only explanation they were there before the Philistines took it,

and then once the Philistines removed it and then brought it

back. This is speculation.

This isn't dogmatic. But it's a thought that when

they brought it back, it's not there anymore.

When Solomon was dedicated to Temple its commentary, the only

thing that's left there is the law.

The enemy took mana and the enemy took the rod and left the

law. Of all things.

Because the enemy would love to rub the law in our face.

To show us how we do fall short. God does the yes to show us that

we need the gospel? But you know what?

He removed the rod that speaks of power, the rod that speaks of

how God can change something, that's dead, and bring it to

life. He does the same today with so

many people to do, everything in your own strength and mine.

And to attempt to keep God's Commandments without that power

and to do it in our own strength.

You will experience true misery. I will experience true misery

when we fail to realize that what God has given us was

intended to be obeyed with his power.

With his grace, with his assistance.

That his Commandments are not burdensome only when we know to

rely upon him to walk it out. And that's what we need to do.

It's a second thought to this main thought that up to this

point out in numbers, things have calmed down in relationship

to the authority that God has established for the people of

Israel. So many things can be pulled out

of this study, but what concluded with this thought,

going back to the sons of Korah what a wonderful thing that God

has given us through these men. Who have come to a place where

they realize. Just think about it.

I'm sure they did not think in their minds when they step back

from their families. Oh God is going to really use me

now. I'm sure that then a run through

their minds that God is going to give me a specific assignment

down in history through my general.

I'm sure that did not come. In fact, God did not say

anything. He said it with the Levites when

they when they step back and exodus 32 says, now I'm going to

use you, I'm going to use you as priest.

He didn't say anything to the sons of Korah.

It just came down the road which says something about sons of

court to some degree. but in that moment, they just They just

wanted to make a statement to the Lord.

I want you above all else. I choose to obey you even if it

costs me my family. It's a beautiful thought and

it's something that we should really meditate upon.

And as we end with the idea of core on the sons of Korah, let's

ask the Lord to be able to confidently.

Say I rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God.

I rather be a doorkeeper and the house of my God, better is one

day in your courts and a thousand elsewhere.

That is coming from a that's not coming from just any lip that's

coming from a descendant of someone who actually lived it.

And actually paid the price for it.

And true Ministry with its authenticity.

And Effectiveness comes from a place where it's lived out.

And not just said, May we get there by the grace of God by his

power. Not our own.

Let's pray. Lord, we thank you for your

word. Got our hearts come alive, at

the revelation of the scriptures.

When we realize Lord that you are speaking loud and clear even

from numbers. And Lord, this is our hearts

desire. To express our allegiance to

you. Whatever costs, Lord.

And where we want to do that even now.

Thank you for your Tender Mercies.

Thank you that with the same errand that you were ready to

discipline. You defended.

Thank you. That with the sons of Korah,

though, their Heritage in their fathers did not exemplify true

Devotion to God. You rewrote their story.

Thank you. That we have resurrection power.

That you can take any deadness in our lives and bring it to

life in Christ. Lord, we worship you in light of

this. In your name, we pray.

Amen.