Moses-The Friend of God- Part 13-Rebellion and Response

This passage will not only help us to understand the severe consequences of rebellion against God but will also teach us how we ought to respond when we find ourselves under attack.

The Root of Rebellion (Vs. 1-3)

In these first few verses we can plainly see the root of the rebellion.

We find Korah and other influential leaders among the children of Israel gathering themselves together in an attempt to overthrow the leader that God had set up.

It is obvious that Korah and his coconspirators were envious of the authority that God had given to Moses and Aaron.

In pride they sought to take the authority that God had given to Moses and Aaron for themselves.

They may have presented themselves as though they were simply offering to relieve some of the burden of leading the people but there were certainly sinister motives behind their offer.

These men longed to hold the influence and authority that God had reserved especially for Moses and Aaron.

Isaiah 14:12–14 KJV 1900

How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! How art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High.

This is the same motive which led to the very first rebellion against God.

3 John 9–10 KJV 1900

I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not. Wherefore, if I come, I will remember his deeds which he doeth, prating against us with malicious words: and not content therewith, neither doth he himself receive the brethren, and forbiddeth them that would, and casteth them out of the church.

It was still a problem that manifested itself in the early church and it is still a problem today.

Moses Meekness (Vs. 4-11)

Numbers 12:3 KJV 1900

(Now the man Moses was very meek, above all the men which were upon the face of the earth.)

Moses responds by falling upon his face and appealing to God.

When he could have defended himself or attacked Korah and his followers he doesn’t but rather he responds humbly.

He makes an appeal to Korah and his followers reminding them of the privileged position that God has given them and warning them against attempting to overstep their authority.

Moses desire is not to win but is rather to diffuse the situation and prevent Korah and his followers from making a terrible mistake.

The Personal Attacks (Vs. 12-14)

In his attempt to diffuse the situation Moses becomes the target of personal attacks against him and his leadership.

He is accused of arrogantly setting himself up as the leader of the people.

He is also blamed for the failure to enter the land of promise as though it were he who chose to turn back in the day of battle.

The truth is Moses did not seek out the role that he had been given but was actually resistant to leading the people.

Furthermore he had encouraged the people to go in and possess the land when others had counseled them to turn back.

Moses Patience (Vs. 15)

After such personal attacks were brought against him, Moses was angry and rightly so.

Yet even after being attacked and falsely accused he did not go on the offensive but rather he once more turned to the Lord.

He took his cause to God and made his appeal to Him rather than engaging in a war of words with his accusers.

He patiently waited for God to deal with his accusers rather than taking matters into his own hands.

Moses Vindication (Vs. 16-35)

Ultimately Korah and his coconspirators are put to the test before all the congregation of Israel.

The Lord reveals very clearly who it is that He has chosen to lead the people and who it is that has rebelled against Him.

Moses is vindicated and his leadership is validated. Those who were involved in the rebellion are swallowed up into the earth and there can be no doubt as to who God has chosen.

It becomes apparent that Korah and those who followed him were wrong to attack Moses and Aaron and were mistaken in attempting to claim an authority which God had not delegated to them.

The Broader Rebellion (Vs. 36-42)

One would think that having just witnessed those who rebelled being swallowed up into the earth would have been sufficient to end any further rebellion.

Yet sadly this is not the case. After the initial rebellion is ended the children of Israel again lay the blame upon Moses and Aaron and begin to murmur against them.

Moses and Aaron’s Intervention (Vs. 43-50)

When the people begin again to murmur against Moses and Aaron God again moves to judge the people for their rebellion against them.

We would expect Moses and Aaron to simply stand by as God destroys the people since they had been so viciously slandered and attacked.

Yet Moses and Aaron see the judgment taking place and both of them immediately respond and made an atonement for the people in order to cause the judgment to cease.

What character and compassion Moses and Aaron display in intervening to halt the judgment of those who have made themselves their enemies.

It was their quick action which limited the destruction to only 14, 700 when all the congregation could have been consumed.

Conclusion

Tonight we should learn not to rebel against God or against the leaders that He has chosen to set up over us.

We ought to be content with whatever role it is that God has given us and not be envious of others.

May we humbly admit that we do not deserve to hold even the role that He has given to us much less are we fitted for an even greater role.

May we never attempt to take authority which God has not given to us.

We also learn a valuable lesson from Moses and Aaron’s response to the rebels.

They remained humble and appealed to God rather than engaging in a fierce battle with Korah and his followers.

They also maintained their integrity and were ultimately vindicated by God.

Even when they had every right to allow the people to be destroyed in merciful compassion they intervened to secure their salvation.

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