Audio Download

Numbers 16:1-26  Korah’s Rebellion, Part 1

[Study Aired August 14, 2023]

Num 16:1  Now Korah, the son of Izhar, the son of Kohath, the son of Levi, and Dathan and Abiram, the sons of Eliab, and On, the son of Peleth, sons of Reuben, took men:
Num 16:2  And they rose up before Moses, with certain of the children of Israel, two hundred and fifty princes of the assembly, famous in the congregation, men of renown: 
Num 16:3  And they gathered themselves together against Moses and against Aaron, and said unto them, Ye take too much upon you, seeing all the congregation are holy, every one of them, and the LORD is among them: wherefore then lift ye up yourselves above the congregation of the LORD? 
Num 16:4  And when Moses heard it, he fell upon his face: 
Num 16:5  And he spake unto Korah and unto all his company, saying, Even to morrow the LORD will shew who are his, and who is holy; and will cause him to come near unto him: even him whom he hath chosen will he cause to come near unto him. 
Num 16:6  This do; Take you censers, Korah, and all his company; 
Num 16:7  And put fire therein, and put incense in them before the LORD tomorrow: and it shall be that the man whom the LORD doth choose, he shall be holy: ye take too much upon you, ye sons of Levi. 
Num 16:8  And Moses said unto Korah, Hear, I pray you, ye sons of Levi: 
Num 16:9  Seemeth it but a small thing unto you, that the God of Israel hath separated you from the congregation of Israel, to bring you near to himself to do the service of the tabernacle of the LORD, and to stand before the congregation to minister unto them? 
Num 16:10  And he hath brought thee near to him, and all thy brethren the sons of Levi with thee: and seek ye the priesthood also? 
Num 16:11  For which cause both thou and all thy company are gathered together against the LORD: and what is Aaron, that ye murmur against him? 
Num 16:12  And Moses sent to call Dathan and Abiram, the sons of Eliab: which said, We will not come up: 
Num 16:13  Is it a small thing that thou hast brought us up out of a land that floweth with milk and honey, to kill us in the wilderness, except thou make thyself altogether a prince over us? 
Num 16:14  Moreover thou hast not brought us into a land that floweth with milk and honey, or given us inheritance of fields and vineyards: wilt thou put out the eyes of these men? we will not come up. 
Num 16:15  And Moses was very wroth, and said unto the LORD, Respect not thou their offering: I have not taken one ass from them, neither have I hurt one of them. 
Num 16:16  And Moses said unto Korah, Be thou and all thy company before the LORD, thou, and they, and Aaron, to morrow: 
Num 16:17  And take every man his censer, and put incense in them, and bring ye before the LORD every man his censer, two hundred and fifty censers; thou also, and Aaron, each of you his censer. 
Num 16:18  And they took every man his censer, and put fire in them, and laid incense thereon, and stood in the door of the tabernacle of the congregation with Moses and Aaron.
Num 16:19  And Korah gathered all the congregation against them unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation: and the glory of the LORD appeared unto all the congregation.
Num 16:20  And the LORD spake unto Moses and unto Aaron, saying, 
Num 16:21  Separate yourselves from among this congregation, that I may consume them in a moment. 
Num 16:22  And they fell upon their faces, and said, O God, the God of the spirits of all flesh, shall one man sin, and wilt thou be wroth with all the congregation? 
Num 16:23  And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, 
Num 16:24  Speak unto the congregation, saying, Get you up from about the tabernacle of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram. 
Num 16:25  And Moses rose up and went unto Dathan and Abiram; and the elders of Israel followed him. 
Num 16:26  And he spake unto the congregation, saying, Depart, I pray you, from the tents of these wicked men, and touch nothing of theirs, lest ye be consumed in all their sins.

Introduction

This session of chapter 16 deals with rebellion that sometimes arises within the body of Christ. It also shows how we are hated by our brothers and sisters in Babylon who regard us as raising ourselves above the congregation of the Lord when we speak the truth of the word of the Lord regarding their spiritual state.  These controversies are necessary, as it shows us who are truly the children of the Lord who are chosen and holy.

1Co 11:19  For there must be also heresies among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest among you.

Throughout the history of the church, the word of the Lord shows us that there have been several controversies that arise among the children of God. Right from the beginning, Cain hated his brother Abel because the Lord did not accept Cain’s offering and therefore rose up against Abel and killed him. Later on, there was contention between Lot’s herdsmen and those of Abraham, which resulted in the separation between Lot and Abraham. Lot and his herdsmen represent Babylon, who is being protected by the Lord until the time designated by the Lord for it to be destroyed. 

Rev 12:6  And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore days. 

Rev 12:13  And when the dragon saw that he was cast unto the earth, he persecuted the woman which brought forth the man child. 
Rev 12:14  And to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place, where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent.

Abraham signifies the church of the firstborn. Lot seemingly chose the fertile land, and it is no wonder that the churches of this world are financially rich. On the other hand, Abraham had to walk by faith in the land of Canaan and went through a lot of suffering. At the end of the day, we saw that it was Abraham who was chosen, and Lot was the one rejected. 

Gen 13:7  And there was a strife between the herdmen of Abram’s cattle and the herdmen of Lot’s cattle: and the Canaanite and the Perizzite dwelled then in the land. 
Gen 13:8  And Abram said unto Lot, Let there be no strife, I pray thee, between me and thee, and between my herdmen and thy herdmen; for we be brethren.
Gen 13:9  Is not the whole land before thee? separate thyself, I pray thee, from me: if thou wilt take the left hand, then I will go to the right; or if thou depart to the right hand, then I will go to the left.  
Gen 13:10  And Lot lifted up his eyes, and beheld all the plain of Jordan, that it was well watered every where, before the LORD destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, even as the garden of the LORD, like the land of Egypt, as thou comest unto Zoar.
Gen 13:11  Then Lot chose him all the plain of Jordan; and Lot journeyed east: and they separated themselves the one from the other. 
Gen 13:12  Abram dwelled in the land of Canaan, and Lot dwelled in the cities of the plain, and pitched his tent toward Sodom.

Num 16:1  Now Korah, the son of Izhar, the son of Kohath, the son of Levi, and Dathan and Abiram, the sons of Eliab, and On, the son of Peleth, sons of Reuben, took men:
Num 16:2  And they rose up before Moses, with certain of the children of Israel, two hundred and fifty princes of the assembly, famous in the congregation, men of renown: 
Num 16:3  And they gathered themselves together against Moses and against Aaron, and said unto them, Ye take too much upon you, seeing all the congregation are holy, every one of them, and the LORD is among them: wherefore then lift ye up yourselves above the congregation of the LORD? 

These verses show us how Babylon, and sometimes our own brothers and sisters, rise up against the Lord’s elect in every generation. Here Korah, Dathan and Abiram, together with the two hundred and fifty princes, represent our own brothers and sisters who rise up against leadership and our brethren in Babylon. The church in Babylon has always considered itself as the true bride of Christ and therefore holy. The fact that there are signs and wonders among them makes them think they have the Lord’s presence with them. Any statement by the elect, contrary to the belief that they are God’s special people makes them feel that we, His elect, are lifting ourselves above the congregation of the Lord. This was what happened to Moses who represents the Lord’s elect.

It also happened to Jesus our Lord during His time here on earth as the Pharisees and the Sadducees (Babylon) taught that Jesus was lifting Himself above them as they accused Him of making Himself equal to God as He exposed their hypocrisy. Thinking that Jesus was making Himself equal to God is the same as thinking that Jesus was lifting Himself above the congregation of Israel, just like how Korah and his company accused Moses.

Joh 5:15  The man went away and told the Jews that it was Jesus who had healed him. 
Joh 5:16  And this was why the Jews were persecuting Jesus, because he was doing these things on the Sabbath. 
Joh 5:17  But Jesus answered them, “My Father is working until now, and I am working.” 
Joh 5:18  This was why the Jews were seeking all the more to kill him, because not only was he breaking the Sabbath, but he was even calling God his own Father, making himself equal with God. 

As He is, so are we in this world. When we tell our brothers and sisters in Babylon the truth of the word of the Lord that living in Babylon is the way to death, they think we are lifting ourselves above the congregation of God.

Pro 14:12  There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.

1Jn 4:17  By this is love perfected with us, so that we may have confidence for the day of judgment, because as he is so also are we in this world.

Num 16:4  And when Moses heard it, he fell upon his face: 

It is very disheartening when we realize that our brothers and sisters, instead of appreciating us since they also read the same word of the Lord, are up against us. This was what happened to Moses. Falling down on his face shows us the exasperation he went through, and that is the same thing we all go through when our brothers and sisters turn against us.

Gal 4:13  Ye know how through infirmity of the flesh I preached the gospel unto you at the first. 
Gal 4:14  And my temptation which was in my flesh ye despised not, nor rejected; but received me as an angel of God, even as Christ Jesus. 
Gal 4:15  Where is then the blessedness ye spake of? for I bear you record, that, if it had been possible, ye would have plucked out your own eyes, and have given them to me. 
Gal 4:16  Am I therefore become your enemy, because I tell you the truth? 

Num 16:5  And he spake unto Korah and unto all his company, saying, Even tomorrow the LORD will shew who are his, and who is holy; and will cause him to come near unto him: even him whom he hath chosen will he cause to come near unto him. 

This age is regarded as one long night. Tomorrow in this verse refers to the coming of Christ with His elect when the kingdoms of this world become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ. That is when the whole world will see who really are chosen and holy as we come with Christ. 

Rom 13:12  The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light. 

Rev 11:15  And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.

If we are blessed to see those who are chosen and holy in this age, then it means that Christ has come to us, and therefore we are also part of His elect. 

Luk 13:35  Behold, your house is left unto you desolate: and verily I say unto you, Ye shall not see me, until the time come when ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord.

In this age, unless the Lord opens your eyes to see and ears to hear, it is impossible to see who is chosen and holy for the Lord. As the Lord said in the parable of the wheat, both the tares and the wheat are growing together, and in the fullness of time the whole world will be able to clearly know the difference between the wheat and the tares. 

Mat 13:30  Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn. 

Num 16:6  This do; Take you censers, Korah, and all his company; 
Num 16:7  And put fire therein, and put incense in them before the LORD tomorrow: and it shall be that the man whom the LORD doth choose, he shall be holy: ye take too much upon you, ye sons of Levi. 

As a test of whom the Lord chooses as holy, His servant, Moses, requested Korah and his company to present censers before the Lord with fire and incense in them. A censer is a pan for live coals or simply a firepan. Censers are part of the instruments or vessels that were used in the house of God.

1Ki 7:50  And the bowls, and the snuffers, and the basons, and the spoons, and the censers of pure gold; and the hinges of gold, both for the doors of the inner house, the most holy place, and for the doors of the house, to wit, of the temple.

As Paul told us, we are all vessels of either gold, silver or wood that are used in the house of the Lord. 

2Ti 2:20  But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour. 
2Ti 2:21  If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work. 

Censers or vessels that are made of gold and silver are vessels of honor, and they represent those who have purged themselves of the influence of the flesh and are therefore used in the house of God for special a purpose. This purging is not by our own actions. If we are called and chosen to be holy, then the Lord will cause us to be purged through our fiery trials. This means that Moses requesting Korah and his company to present censers filled with fire and incense is a test of who is a vessel of gold or wood of the earth. Filling our censers or vessels with fire and incense means going through fiery trials which produce a sweet aroma (incense) to the Lord. If we are called and chosen, then as gold or silver, we shall survive our fiery trials to become holy. On the other hand, if we are not called and chosen, that is, if we are made of wood and earth, then we shall not survive the fire from the Lord. As we shall see in the next study, the two hundred and fifty renowned men who rebelled through the instigation of Korah were burnt by fire.

Num 16:35  And there came out a fire from the LORD, and consumed the two hundred and fifty men that offered incense.

Num 16:8  And Moses said unto Korah, Hear, I pray you, ye sons of Levi: 
Num 16:9  Seemeth it but a small thing unto you, that the God of Israel hath separated you from the congregation of Israel, to bring you near to himself to do the service of the tabernacle of the LORD, and to stand before the congregation to minister unto them? 
Num 16:10  And he hath brought thee near to him, and all thy brethren the sons of Levi with thee: and seek ye the priesthood also? 
Num 16:11  For which cause both thou and all thy company are gathered together against the LORD: and what is Aaron, that ye murmur against him? 

Being a Levite, Korah was separated by the Lord to work in His tabernacle, but he was not content with what the Lord had given to him. He wanted the priesthood also. Korah here represents our brothers and sisters in Babylon who have been separated by the Lord from the world to do the leg work of leading us to Christ under the law of Moses. However, they want to lay claim to the priesthood, which is given to the called and chosen or the elect. Korah also signifies our brothers and sisters within our midst who also rebel against leadership from time to time. When we started our walk with Christ, we were also claiming the priesthood just as Korah and our brothers and sisters in Babylon and therefore rebelled against the Lord’s elect. However, the Lord had mercy on us.

Gal 3:23  But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed. 
Gal 3:24  Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. 
Gal 3:25  But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster. 

This whole controversy about Korah’s rebellion is about who has the legitimate claim to the priesthood, and it is being played out in every generation. During David’s reign over the people of Israel, his son Absalom, who killed his brother Amnon and was pardoned by David to come back to him in Jerusalem, also wanted David’s kingship. He was not content with being close to his father David again in Jerusalem. He wanted the kingship. The word of the Lord shows us that the Lord’s elect are the royal priesthood. 

1Pe 2:9  But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:  

A royal priesthood means that we are both priests and kings and the two cannot be separated. Thus, Absalom desiring the kingship of David is the same as desiring the priesthood just like Korah and our brothers and sisters in Babylon. Part of the suffering we go through is the result of our brothers and sisters rising up against us because of the priesthood. In our fellowship, we have experienced this over and over.

2Sa 14:23  So Joab arose and went to Geshur, and brought Absalom to Jerusalem. 
2Sa 14:24  And the king said, Let him turn to his own house, and let him not see my face. So Absalom returned to his own house, and saw not the king’s face.
2Sa 14:25  But in all Israel there was none to be so much praised as Absalom for his beauty: from the sole of his foot even to the crown of his head there was no blemish in him. 

2Sa 14:33  So Joab came to the king, and told him: and when he had called for Absalom, he came to the king, and bowed himself on his face to the ground before the king: and the king kissed Absalom. 

2Sa 15:1  And it came to pass after this, that Absalom prepared him chariots and horses, and fifty men to run before him. 
2Sa 15:2  And Absalom rose up early, and stood beside the way of the gate: and it was so, that when any man that had a controversy came to the king for judgment, then Absalom called unto him, and said, Of what city art thou? And he said, Thy servant is of one of the tribes of Israel. 
2Sa 15:3  And Absalom said unto him, See, thy matters are good and right; but there is no man deputed of the king to hear thee. 
2Sa 15:4  Absalom said moreover, Oh that I were made judge in the land, that every man which hath any suit or cause might come unto me, and I would do him justice! 
2Sa 15:5  And it was so, that when any man came nigh to him to do him obeisance, he put forth his hand, and took him, and kissed him. 
2Sa 15:6  And on this manner did Absalom to all Israel that came to the king for judgment: so Absalom stole the hearts of the men of Israel.

Absalom signifies Babylon who desires to have the priesthood. As 2 Samuel 14:25 says, Absalom was very beautiful to behold. The world represented by the people of Israel have been enchanted by the beauty of Babylon for a long time. Outwardly, looking from the perspective of a carnal man, it seems Babylon is without blemish, but inwardly, it is rotten!!

Mat 23:27  Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men’s bones, and of all uncleanness.
Mat 23:28  Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity.

As the Age draws closer to an end, the people of the world will see the hypocrisy of Babylon and will destroy her as we see Absalom put to death later as a result of his rebellion. This hypocrisy of Babylon is already being seen as many people do not want to hear anything about churches. As we shall see later, Korah’s rebellion was stopped by the Lord. What we need to understand is the fact that all these rebellions are of the Lord. The Lord uses such rebellion to humble us and to show us who are truly the sons of the Lord who will inherit their father’s possessions.

Eph 1:11  In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:

1Co 11:19  For there must be also heresies among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest among you.

Num 16:12  And Moses sent to call Dathan and Abiram, the sons of Eliab: which said, We will not come up: 
Num 16:13  Is it a small thing that thou hast brought us up out of a land that floweth with milk and honey, to kill us in the wilderness, except thou make thyself altogether a prince over us?
Num 16:14  Moreover thou hast not brought us into a land that floweth with milk and honey, or given us inheritance of fields and vineyards: wilt thou put out the eyes of these men? we will not come up.

The hatred and the rebellious attitude sometimes exhibited by our own brothers and sister and also from Babylon is clearly shown here by the actions of Dathan and Abiram in refusing to come and meet Moses. Many blame the Lord’s elect for being the cause of all their woes. This belief will culminate at the end of the thousand-year reign when the whole world will surround the camp of the Lord’s elect thinking that, by eliminating the elect, the world will have peace. This is what the Lord says about the hatred for the Lord’s elect. 

Psa 2:1  Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing? 
Psa 2:2  The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD, and against his anointed, saying,
Psa 2:3  Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us. 
Psa 2:4  He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the Lord shall have them in derision. 
Psa 2:5  Then shall he speak unto them in his wrath, and vex them in his sore displeasure. 
Psa 2:6  Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion.
Psa 2:7  I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee. 
Psa 2:8  Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession. 
Psa 2:9  Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel.

The fiery trials we go through as a result of being hated by the world will win for us the right to rule over the heathen world as our inheritance (Psa 2:8-9).

Mat 10:22  And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.

Num 16:15  And Moses was very wroth, and said unto the LORD, Respect not thou their offering: I have not taken one ass from them, neither have I hurt one of them.

Moses was angry regarding the behavior of Dathan and Abiram for refusing to come to him when he summoned them. Such blatant rebellion against the work of the Lord’s elect surely has repercussions and must be rebuked. That is why Moses asked the Lord not to accept the offering of the rebellious Korah and his company. The same thing happened to Paul when Alexander the coppersmith did much evil to Paul by withstanding his words. Paul asked the Lord to reward him according to his works. 

2Ti 4:14  Alexander the coppersmith did me much evil: the Lord reward him according to his works: 
2Ti 4:15  Of whom be thou ware also; for he hath greatly withstood our words.

What Moses and Paul said regarding those who try to withstand the words of the Lord does not mean they were disobedient to the Lord’s teachings that we should not resist evil and that if someone shall smite us on the right cheek, we should turn to him the other cheek. One has to do with resistance to the Lord’s work, while the other relates to evil done against us.   

Mat 5:38  Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth: 
Mat 5:39  But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also. 
Mat 5:40  And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloke also. 
Mat 5:41  And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain.
Mat 5:42  Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away.

Num 16:16  And Moses said unto Korah, Be thou and all thy company before the LORD, thou, and they, and Aaron, tomorrow: 
Num 16:17  And take every man his censer, and put incense in them, and bring ye before the LORD every man his censer, two hundred and fifty censers; thou also, and Aaron, each of you his censer. 
Num 16:18  And they took every man his censer, and put fire in them, and laid incense thereon, and stood in the door of the tabernacle of the congregation with Moses and Aaron.
Num 16:19  And Korah gathered all the congregation against them unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation: and the glory of the LORD appeared unto all the congregation.

As indicated earlier, what distinguishes the Lord’s elect from the rest of humanity is the fact that our censers, which carry live coals with incense, produce a sweet aroma to the Lord. This is different from censers by our brothers and sisters which result in their spiritual death. As indicated earlier, we represent the censors. What shows that we are chosen and holy is the fact that we are going through judgment or suffering in this life which is producing righteousness as we have fire in our censers. All those who are not going through judgment in this life are not chosen and holy. The fire in their censers rather causes them to die spiritually as we shall see later in this chapter.

Num 16:35  And there came out a fire from the LORD, and consumed the two hundred and fifty men that offered incense.

Num 16:20  And the LORD spake unto Moses and unto Aaron, saying, 
Num 16:21  Separate yourselves from among this congregation, that I may consume them in a moment.
Num 16:22  And they fell upon their faces, and said, O God, the God of the spirits of all flesh, shall one man sin, and wilt thou be wroth with all the congregation? 
Num 16:23  And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, 
Num 16:24  Speak unto the congregation, saying, Get you up from about the tabernacle of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram. 
Num 16:25  And Moses rose up and went unto Dathan and Abiram; and the elders of Israel followed him.
Num 16:26  And he spake unto the congregation, saying, Depart, I pray you, from the tents of these wicked men, and touch nothing of theirs, lest ye be consumed in all their sins.

As indicated earlier, such controversies result in separation, which is all part of the counsel of the Lord as we see the Lord asked Moses to separate himself from among the congregation in verse 21. Moses later told the congregation to separate from the perpetrators of the rebellion in verse 26. In our fellowship, we have seen several people separating themselves from us, and over time we become aware who is on the Lord’s side.  It is really a painful and heart-breaking experience when our brothers and sisters whom we have come to love dearly rebel against us and therefore leave us. This was what David said about the bitter experience he went through when Ahithophel decided to leave him and join Absalom in the rebellion against him:

Psa 55:4  My heart is sore pained within me: and the terrors of death are fallen upon me. 
Psa 55:5  Fearfulness and trembling are come upon me, and horror hath overwhelmed me. 
Psa 55:6  And I said, Oh that I had wings like a dove! for then would I fly away, and be at rest. 

Psa 55:12  For it was not an enemy that reproached me; then I could have borne it: neither was it he that hated me that did magnify himself against me; then I would have hid myself from him: 
Psa 55:13  But it was thou, a man mine equal, my guide, and mine acquaintance. 
Psa 55:14  We took sweet counsel together, and walked unto the house of God in company. 
Psa 55:15  Let death seize upon them, and let them go down quick into hell: for wickedness is in their dwellings, and among them. 
Psa 55:16  As for me, I will call upon God; and the LORD shall save me.

As David said when his own friend rebelled against him, all we have to do is call upon the name of the Lord and He will surely come and deliver us. Amen!!