Numbers 16:1-35
Dear RTB’ers,
Today’s reading is widely known as “Korah’s Rebellion”, even though he is one of four men named, along with Dathan and Abiram and On. (There is no more mention of “On” except in today’s first verse.) Korah’s prominence is because he was a Levite, one of the Kohathites, in fact, who were charged with carrying the “most holy things”. Now Korah is aspiring to more than just transportation: (Moses speaking) “Is it too small an honor for you that the God of Israel has singled you out … and that He has brought you near, Korah, and all your brothers, sons of Levi, with you? But are you seeking the priesthood as well?” Jealousy. Wanting more than what the Lord has already given to us. As a Levite Korah had already been taken from among the Israelites and set apart to special service before the Lord. But he wanted more. It was not enough for him to honor Moses and Aaron and their special calling before God. He formed his own rebellion and it cost him his life.
But it’s not just Korah’s jealousy – with his grumbling he brought others along and they went down with him. Years later the future king, David may have had this incident in mind when he was being pursued by Saul:
He said to his men, “The LORD forbid that I should do this thing to my lord, the LORD’s anointed, to put out my hand against him, seeing he is the LORD’s anointed.” So David persuaded his men with these words and did not permit them to attack Saul.
I Samuel 24:6-7a
Grumbling… Don’t go there!
Blessings!
See also: February 13 (2023) / Numbers 15-16