Parasha KORACH
Numbers 16:1 – 18:32
(Geneva Bible)
Please Pray this
Prayer, before
reading
Prayer
In the name of Yahushua
Our Messiyah,
I pray for the Spirit of Understanding
The Spirit of Knowledge and
The Spirit of Wisdom
As I read through this Parasha
That the Truth of Torah may
Come forth. Amen
Chapter
16
Num 16:1
Now Korach the son of Izhar, the son of Kohath, the son of Levi went apart
with Dathan, and Abiram the sons of Eliab, and On the son of Peleth, the sons
of Reuben: - At this point in his life Korach had already separate himself
spiritually from Moses and his leadership. Korach placed himself at odds with
the goal and direction with the rest of the leadership. This is one of the
greatest sin a person can ever commit. It was this same division that causes
Lucifer to rebel against EL YAHWEH.
Korach was a Levi who should have known better. Since he is a part
of the Levites those who have a heart for Torah. This just goes to show that it
is not everyone who says they have the desire to serve יהוה have a heart for Him.
Korach found other with the same spirit, one such persons was
Dathan, Abiram and On. My mother uses to tell me; show me your company I tell
you who you are!
The tribe of Rueben, who was camped next to Korach and his
followers, must have listed to the mumbling of Korach over a period of time.
That is why we should not pay any attention to anyone who gossip.
The tribe of Ruben, which supplies most of Korah’s followers,
encamped near the family of Korach, the negative, which brought negativism to
the Reubenites.
Num 16:2 And they rose up against Moses, two hundred
and fifties captains of the assembly, of the children of Yisrael, everyone
famous in the Congregation, and men of renoum, - The Torah
describe Korah’s followers as prestigious people. They were leaders of the
tribe or heads of courts, and they were men of renown who were called to
important meeting and consultations. The presence of such a respected
delegation naturally lent credence to Korach and his cause.
When my assembly rebelled against me, it was led by a guy name
Darin one of my lieutenants, very eloquent, a man who rigorously stood up for
Torah. Or that what he seems to portray. If Darren can object to me, then I
must be wrong, was the thinking of those who followed him, because he portrayed
a spirit spiritual fervor.
Num 16:3
who gathered themselves together against Moses, and against Aaron, and said
unto them, you take too much upon you, seeing the entire Congregation is holy,
every one of them, and YAHWEH is among them: wherefore then lift yourselves
above the Congregation of YAHWEH? – When I was overthrown, I was told we
do not want a leader; all the men are all leaders. Does this sound familiar?
Moses you took upon yourself to much responsibility, are we not all equal.
Equality seems to be the general cry for those who wish to overthrow the
spiritual head of the family. Women liberation movement also preaches this
tune, of equality. Lucifer also promises Satan that he too would become the
ruler of his own part of the Galaxies; people will pay tithes to you.
Num 16:4
But when Moses heard it, he fell upon his face, - Moses did
not say, I am the leader here it was יהוה who put me here. Moses
just drop to his knee and maybe said Father forgive them. When people rebel against
you, our first action is to drop to our knee and submit to YAHWEH EL ElYON
testing of our character. If we truly desire to be a leader, the most effective
way to demonstrate leadership qualities is to be loyal under all circumstances.
Num 16:5 And spoke to Korah and unto all his companies,
saying, in the morning YAHWEH will show who is His, and who is holy, and who
ought to approaches near unto Him: and whom He hath chosen, He will cause to
come near to Him. - Total confidence. YAHWEH
will show, was Moses replying to the rebellion. Do not defend yourself when
there is a struggle for who is in charge. Since Moses knew that he heard for יהוה
he made it clear, tomorrow, Father יהוה will make it clear. Moses
asserts himself, he did not wait for Korach to act, and Moses was the one who
decide the tempo or the direction of the meeting. True leaders led, rebels
follow.
Moses confronted the rebels, point blank; he did not try to reason
with them. The Leviathan spirit is one that cannot be reason with, as you
cannot reason with an Alligator whose only goal is to destroy you.
Num 16:6
this doe therefore, Take you censers, both Korach, and all his companies,
-
Moses continue to assert himself by giving instruction to Korach, take your
censers and all your friends and come.
The sacred utensils that were used as censers in the daily incense
service in the Tabernacle. Moses told Korah’s followers that the way to
determine whom יהוה
had chosen was through the incense, service. Moses said here is a service that יהוה
desire above all others, but it contains the penitential of death.
Nada and Abihu died when they brought unauthorized incense.
Therefore, Moses offered them an opportunity and a challenge. They could prove
themselves if their incense was accepted; but if not, they could expect to die.
Moses had hoped that this threat would have ended their fantasy
and causes them to withdraw from the rebellion. Furthermore, by emphasizing
that יהוה
would make His choice, Moses implied that only יהוה not Moses or korach, had
the power to choose the leadership of Yisrael.
Num 16:7 and put fire therein, and put incense in
the before YAHWEH tomorrow: and the man whom YAHWEH doeth chooses, the same
shall be holy: you take too much upon you, you sons of Levi. - In this verse we see the term he is the holy
one. Moses used the present tense to imply that the true Kohen Gadol is already
the holy one.
Moses went on to say to them that the position that they were
seeking was too much for them. In other words they were not mature enough.
Moses hurled back the same warning Korach had used against him. Moses was
addressing the Levites in the group, telling them that they had already been
given a high honor and should not be asking for more.
Rebellion is a condition of the heart, which has its roots in
pride. Moses was implying that Korah’s motives was a desire for personal
aggrandizement, because he was dissatisfied with being only a Levite, and
wanted to usurp Aaron or Moses’ position.
In an assembly, when you see anyone challenging a leader, the root
of rebellion is in that person selfish ego. Before coming to my congregation,
the man Darren was expelled from another church by the Rabbi, he came to our assembly,
and one day when I told the group it is time for us to take a break and meet
back in thirty minutes, he boldly confronted me in the present of the people,
saying; he did not think that they needed a break.
What I did not realize that this was the first appearance of the
spirit of rebellion. Within a month a meeting was called under the pretense of
discussing certain issues, when he brought up the idea that anyone should not
be required to tithe to Beyt Lechem ministry.
That there should not be one leader, since all the men of the
group were leaders. So I was push out. Within two month after that rebellion,
the same people turned against Darin. Leadership should never fight for your
position. Always let יהוה be our judge.
Num 16:8 Moses said unto Korah, Hear, I pray you,
ye sons of Levi. – I believe that the humble man that Moses was, he spoke to
Korach with a soft voice, he address his remarks to the entire group, out of
fear that they might be entice to follow Korach.
It seems inconceivable that Moses acted on his own volition in
ordering the entire group to bring incense. He was under the influence of the
Spirit of Wisdom, and Understanding, the Spirit of Council and Might, and the
Spirit of Knowledge and the Fear of יהוה. A form of revelation
higher than that of a Prophet. That is why the Torah never says that יהוה
spoke to Him.
Num 16:9
Seemed it a small thing unto you that the Elohim of Yisrael hath separated you from the multitude of Yisrael, to
take you near to himself, to do the service of the Tabernacle of YAHWEH, and to
stand before the Congregation and to minister unto them? – Lucifer was the second in charge in
the Heavens; one could not get any higher than that. That is why rebellion is
so hurtful, for it usually comes from those who are closest to you. The one who
is been rebel against is usually the last one to know about it. Even Though
there are tell-tale sign that something was brewing.
Even if the Pastor is the most incompetent person in the world, it
does not give anyone the reason to rebel. If we do not like what is going on,
just leave and allow our Heavenly Father to keep His church in order. Even if
incompetency is a problem in the group, יהוה plan is always to build
up the person, HE place us all in the position that is suitable for our
spiritual development.
Num 16:10
He hath also taken thee to him, and all thy brethren the sons of Levi with
thee, and seek ye the office of the Priest also? – Moses took
the time to scold the Levites, by reminding them that they were chosen for a
grand position to serve in the Tabernacle, now you want to take over the
priesthood as well.
It is quite certain that even if someone becomes a father
spiritually, he or she can be convinced by an even stronger or a more
charismatic leader to become rebellious. This was the case of Lucifer and
Satan. Satan was already a leader in a certain part of the Galaxies when he was
asked by Lucifer to rebel against YAHWEH.
We can learn from the rebellion in the Heavens that Lucifer took
or manage to convince a third of the angel to act contrary to Torah. If Lucifer
was indeed perfect, how is it that he developed a rebellious spirit? It there a
subroutine in our mental programming that causes us to react contrary to our
established way of thinking. We cannot say it is the flesh, for Lucifer did not
have a flesh to encourage him.
Can it be said then that it is a learnt trait. If this is true, then
this trait can be erased by experience learn in the flesh. If this is true.
What El Yahushua the Messiyah experiences in the flesh help Him to erase this
negative subroutine called rebelliousness?
When we make it a policy to negate rebelliousness in the flesh, we
are in essence erasing that rebellious spirit from our spiritual man. As El
Yahushua learnt obedience by the things He suffered, we too must experience
these test and pass them seven times, before we can be consider a rebellious
free spirit.
Num 16:11 for which cause, you, and all thy companies
are gathered together against YAHWEH: and what is Aaron that ye murmured
against him? – Moses close his rebuttal by saying unequivocally that
despite Korach’s populist reference to the people’s shared and equal holiness,
Moses knew the truth and he knew against Whom he was rebelling. His complaint
was not truly against Moses and Aaron, but against יהוה. Moses like all good
leaders dismissed Korach’s claim that he and Aaron had taken authority on their
own.
When that Karraite came to our assembly and said he does not want
to be require to tithe to us, yet he want to come there every week to teach. It
was not about tithing, it was about placing himself in the position of
leadership as Korach did.
Num 16:12 And Moses sent to call Dathan, and Abiram
the sonnes of Eliab: who answered, we will not come up. - Having failed to sway Korach, Moses appealed
to the other leaders of the revolt, even to the veteran provocateurs, Dathan
and Abiram. Dathan and Abiran uttered an unwitting prophecy, for they indeed
descended alive to the pit. We shall not go up. They would truly not go up into
the Holy of Holies; they would certainly not attain that lofty spiritual goal,
which is the purpose of life. They would however go down into the grave or
hell, which is the final destination for all those who is of a rebellious
nature, like Lucifer and his angels.
Num 16:13 Is it a small thing that You hast brought
us out of a land that flowed with milk and honey, to kill us in the
wildernesses, except You make thy self lord and ruler outer us also? – Notice very
carefully their reply; finally the true meaning of the rebellion comes to the
front. It is about leaving Egypt.
The spirit behind this rebellion was Lucifer himself. He does not want any
human to leave the clutches of Egypt,
his kingdom.
Their second reply was also miss-guided. The whole purpose of the
exodus was to kill or destroy a certain mindset that was so prevalent in Egypt, the
influence of the flesh. So in a way they were right. Moses did carry the people
into the Wilderness to destroy the influence of the flesh over the spirit of
man. But not in the manner in which they are describing it.
EL YAHWEH had to take the Children of Yisrael on a forty year
journey to destroy the slavery mentality, which was so prevalent in the
community. This mindset could not be allowed to strive even for an instance in
the Kingdom.
Moses like all good leaders never dominate, they exercise dominion
over the people. Dominion says; I know the way to the top of the mountain, will
you come with me? Domination says: we are going on a journey; you will go where
I go, you will say what I say, and you will say what I say and how I say. The
Apostle Paul said it best; follow me as I follow Yahushua.
Num 16:14
Also You hast not brought us unto a land that flowed with milk and honey,
neither given us inheritance of fields and vineyards: will You put out the eyes
of these men? we will not come up. -
You have not done what you said you would do! They forget very easily
that it was the ten spies who prevented the people from going into the land
flowing with milk and honey.
People who take the truth and twist it to fit their interpretation
have the same spirit of rebellion. It is a spirit that will try to win at any
cost. Even if it means taking the truth and interpreting it out of context as
Dathan and Abiram obviously just did.
Num 16:15 Then Moses waxed very angry, and said unto
YAHWEH, Look not unto their offering: I have not taken so much as an ass from
them, neither have I hurt any of them. -
Moses was obviously angry at this point. But his anger was due to the
disobedience he had seen in Yisrael. As every righteous person should do, when
we see a flaw in someone else, we must first look inside and ask, “does that
apply to me” I was not a personal thing with Moses, it was more of a violation
of Torah.
We can all learn from Moses who was the most spiritual person at
the time, could be unsure even of himself, we should never presume that we are
wholly good. We have to do everything in our power every day to ensure that we
constantly striving to transform and grow spiritually, even as a tree grow
constantly towards the light of the sun.
Mosses when on to beseeched יהוה to pay no attention to
the incense that Korach and his cronies would offer the next day. Moses knew
Torah principle very well, that one should never be punish until they have been
given a chance, to make amends for their flaws. Moses exercise the Torah
principle perfectly, that why he was able to ask יהוה to disregard the offerings. We too can ask
EL YAHWEH not to bless a person, only if we follow Torah’s principle.
The complaint by the rebellious people, is always the same, they
will accuses the leadership of doing things for their personal gain and not for
the Kingdom. Moses defended himself, that he has not even taken compensation
for anything even Though he was entitled to it.
This was the same thing I went through. I would spend my own money
to pay the rent for the church, when the people were not paying their tithes.
They would accuse me of using the little money they had given to the church as
offering.
Num 16:16 And
Moses said unto Korach, Be You and all thy companies before YAHWEH: both You,
they, and Aaron tomorrow: - Though this passage seems to be a repetition of Moses’
call in verse 6 – 7, there is an significant difference: Here he added Aaron to
those who would offer incense. Had Aaron not been with them, the rebels could
have argued that the absence of Aaron and the Divine fire in response to their
offering would not prove that they were impostor; perhaps there would have been
no fire for Aaron either.
That a Heavenly Fire had greeted his offerings during the
inauguration was no proof of his legitimacy, for any Hebrew would have achieved
the same result on that auspicious occasion. To forestall such protestation,
Moses now includes Aaron in the test.
Num 16:17 and take every man his censor, and put
incense in them, and bring ye every man his censor before YAHWEH, two hundred
and fifties censors: You also and Aaron, everyone his censor. – Issue
joined between Moses and his accusers.
Moses challenges them to
appear with Aaron the next morning, at the time of offering up the morning
incense, and refer the matter to YAH’s judgment. Since he could not convince
them by his calm and affectionate reasoning, he is ready to enter into bonds to
stand YAH’s award, not doubting but that YAHWEH would appear, to decide the
controversy.
This reference he had
agreed to before, and he adds only one clause, which describe his great
condescension to the plaintiffs, that Aaron, against whose advancement they
excepted, Though now advanced by the divine institution to the honor of burning
incense within the tabernacle, yet, upon this trial, should put himself into
the place of a probationer, and stand upon the level with Korach, at the door
of the tabernacle; nay, and Moses himself would stand with them, so that the
complainant shall have all the fair dealing he can desire; and thus every
mouth shall be stopped.
Num 16:18 So they took every man his censor, and put
fire in them, and laid incense thereon, and stood in the door of the Tabernacle
of the Congregation with Moses and Aaron. -
Korach accepts the challenge,
and makes his appearance with Moses and Aaron at the door of the tabernacle,
to make good his pretensions. If he had not had a very great stock of
impudence, he could not have carried on the matter so far. Had he not seen
Nadab and Abihu, the consecrated priests, struck dead for daring to offer
incense with unholy fire? Could he and his accomplices expect to achieve any
better in offering incense with unholy hands?
Yet, to confront Moses
and Aaron, in the height of his pride he employs defiance to Heaven, and
pretends to demand the divine acceptance without a divine warrant; therefore
the wretchedness of the heart is hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.
They took every man his censer. Perhaps these were some of the censers
which these heads of families had made use of at their family-altars, before
this part of religious service was confined to the priesthood and the altar in
the tabernacle and they would bring them into use and reputation again; or they
might be common chafing-dishes, which were for their ordinary use.
Num 16:19
And Korach gathered the entire multitude against them unto the door of the
Tabernacle of the Congregation: then the glory of YAHWEH appeared unto the
entire Congregation. - Korach
made sure that all his people were with him at the door of the Tabernacle, as
if he taught that יהוה was going to be impress, by his ability to
get the people to act with him. It is quite obvious that Korach was a
flamboyant character, to be able to manipulate the other leaders to follow him.
Verse 20 – 27 we see יהוה responds. Although the
active rebellion was still limited to Korach and his company, his rhetoric had
succeeded in planting doubt in the people’s minds concerning the authenticity
of Moses and his prophecy. This was a truly grievous sin on the part of all
those who choose to rebel.
Moses like all good leaders, he interceded with YAHWEH in their
defense, and he argued that the people should distance themselves from Korach
and his followers.
Num 16:20
And YAHWEH speak unto Moses and to Aaron, saying - How many
times have we heard this same verse? The moment of climax was here. But, who
did EL YAHWEH talk to?
Num 16:21 Separate your selves from among this Congregation, that I may consume them
at once. – Separate your selves from among them, that I may destroy them.
Oh my oh my. What a surprise this must have been to Korach. You mean that we
have been following the wrong person. The one-third of the angels, who had
chosen to follow Lucifer, must have surely been saying the same thing. Look
what I have given up. For what?
In this verse יהוה declared that there was a need to destroy
then nation of Yisrael because of their evil deeds, but Moses and Aaron pleaded
on behalf of the people, saying that the whole nation shouldn’t suffer because
of a few hot heads.
This was a test for Moses and Aaron, as He also tested Noah, and
Abraham with the destruction of the people in there times. This declaration by יהוה
was intended to put Moses and Aaron in a position where they would have to pray
on behalf of the people.
Sometime יהוה puts righteous “tzaddikim” people in difficult
situation so that everyone can benefit from their light, since the fervent
prayer of a righteous man reveal much light.
Num 16:22 And they fell upon their faces and said, O
יהוה the Elohim
of the spirits, of all flesh, hath not one man only sinned, and will You be
angry with all the Congregation? – Moses used the term King or leader of the Spirits to
imply, since You know the innermost Thoughts of all people, it is not necessary
for You to punish the entire multitude.
A human ruler does not know who is loyal and who is not, so he can
quell a revolt only by lashing out discriminately, but you need not do so.
Moses went on to accuse korach of being the guilty party because he had
deceived the people.
It is the practice of those who seek mercy for the masses to
defend them by placing blame on the one who is responsible for causing them to
sin. So, too, in II Samuel 24:17, David pleaded with יהוה to spare the people from
a plague because he, not they, had sinned.
Num 16:23 And YAHWEH spoke unto Moses, saying, - How many time did Torah ever say that YAHWEH
spoke to Korach, yet it is about 63 times in Torah so far that it says that YAHWEH
spoke to Moses.
Num 16:24
Speak unto the Congregation and say, Get you away from about the Tabernacle
of Korach, Dathan and Abiram. - יהוה accepted Moses’ plea and,
instead of ordering him and Aaron to distance themselves from the rebellious
group, יהוה
Commanded Moses to instruct the people to withdraw from Korach and his
assembly, therefore giving them the opportunity to prove their allegiance to יהוה and to Moses.
Num 16:25
Then Moses rose up, and went unto Dathan and Abiram, and the Elders of
Yisrael followed him. – Moses and the others elders who were with him
showed the sign of echad, the oneness that should be so prevalent in the
community. Unlike Korach and his followers, they were not one in spirit. They
were one in greed, but not the spirit.
Moses went to make one final plea to Dathan and Abiram, hoping
that they would defer to him since he had the backing of the elders. Moses had
failed to dissuade Korach, but he was still trying to save the other rebels.
Remember we cannot change the nature of the Leviathan spirit as one cannot
convince an Alligator not to bite.
In the presence of Dathan and Abiram, Moses told the people that
they would be destroyed unless they remove themselves from any contact with the
wicked people, hoping that this would serve not only to protect the people, but also to
frighten Dathan and Abiram from following Korach. The people heeded his
warning, but the rebel leaders remained stubborn.
What
we need to remember that rebellion is the spirit of leviathan. It is like a
crocodile, swimming silently under the water, at the opportune time it surface
to grab the unsuspecting prey. You cannot reason with a rebellious person as
you cannot reason with an alligator or the Leviathan spirit. It has only one purpose
that is to overthrow the leadership. This fellow Darren I was tell you about,
has the same nature of a Crocodile, very quiet, he chooses is moments very
careful to attack. He uses the Torah very efficiently to enforce his point of
view.
It
is only the Heavenly Father can deal with a person who has the spirit of
leviathan. Job 41:1 Canst You draw out leviathan with an
hook? Or his tongue with a cord which You let
down? Isa 27:1 In that day YAHWEH with HIS sword
and great and strong sword shall punish leviathan the piercing serpent, even
leviathan that crooked serpent; and he shall slay the dragon that is in the
sea.
Num 16:26 And he speak unto the Congregation, saying,
Depart, I pray you, from the tents of these wicked men, and touché nothing of
theirs, lest ye perish in all their sinnes. - In cases of
rebellion, it is the responsibility of the leader to warn the people to
separate themselves from the leaders of the rebellion. This I did not do when
the person rebel against me. Instead I walk away.
יהוה told everyone to distance themselves
from Korach and his possessions. When someone or anything does not feel right
to us, it might be that what we are feeling is a source of negativity. It is
important to maintain awareness of our feelings and of our intuitive knowledge
of the people around us, thereby distancing ourselves from those who generate
negativity.
Num 16:27
So they move themselves away from the Tabernacle of Korah, Dathan and Abiram
on ever side: and Dathan, and Abiram came out and stood in the door of their
tents with their wives, and their sons, and their little children. - Defiantly Dathan and Abiram left their tents
in a public display of defiance, refusing to show him any respect.
Num 16:28
And Moses said, Hereby you shall know
that YAHWEH hath sent me to do all these acts: for I have not done them of mine
own mind. - Korach had accused Moses
of making appointments on his own: Aaron as High Priest; Aaron’s sons as the
supervisors of the Levites; and Elizaphan as head of the Kohathites. Now Moses
declared that every one of those appointments had been commanded by יהוה.
Num 16:29
If these men die the common death of all men, or if they be visited after
the visitation of all men, YAHWEH hath not sent me. – Moses’
authority had been defied before, but he had never made such a request. It was
the nature of Korach’s challenge that impelled Moses to seek such a stark
punishment.
The reason for this is impelled by his statement that if יהוה
did not grant his plea it would prove that יהוה did not send him.
This also implies that Korach and his followers denied the Divine
nature of Moses’ mission, and if they were permitted to prevail, anyone could
claim that even the Exodus was done at Moses’ initiative, and not at יהוה.
Even Though Moses knew that if the phenomenon he was proposing
were not to occur, he and his entire prophecy would have been called into
doubt. Did he take a very great risk or was he displaying a profound
confidence, every human should have in Father יהוה.
Num 16:30 But if YAHWEH make a new thing, and the
earth open her mouth, and swallowed them up with all that they have, and they
go down quick into the pit, then ye shall understand that these men have
provoked YAHWEH. - Moses faith in
Father יהוה
was so absolute, that he wanted something unprecedented to happen, something so
unusual that it would convince everyone of his truthfulness. This plea was not
for an ordinary earthquake; such an event, thought unusual, is not totally
unnatural.
In this case, the earth opened up and swallowed the rebels, without
a trace of their existence to show.
Num 16:31
And as soon as he had made an end of speaking all these words, even the
ground under them pit open. – The ground is the building block of the
flesh. The very substance that we live by, will be our life or our death. Those
who live by the spirit of Leviathan will die by it.
Num 16:32
And the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed them up, with their families,
and all the men that were with Korah, and all their goods. - This was indeed a new thing. This goes to
show us that יהוה
indeed has total control over nature, to cause the earth to suddenly open up
and swallow the people.
All the people who were with Korach, this means those who were of
the same spirit, were consumed, even their belongings. Scripture declares that
his own children were not consumed. His children must have been grown, and not
living in his household at the time.
The two hundred and fifty men who followed him were not included
in this catastrophe, since they were consumed separately.
Num 16:33
So they and all that they had, went down alive into the pit, and the earth
covered them: so they perished from among the Congregation. - Rebellion will cause a person to be totally
wipeout from among his people. This spirit of leviathan is like a weed, if one
small root remains it will resurface. There were two men in Torah who ascended
to Heavens while still in the flesh, in this verse we hear of a group of people
to descend to Hell alive. This verse seems to imply the seriousness of the
rebellious spirit among Yisrael.
Num 16:34 And all Yisrael that were about them, fled at the cry of them: for
they said, Let us flee, least the earth swallow us up. – Today if this was publicly displayed,
someone would say that the people would be traumatized. יהוה would be considered cruel
for displaying such carnage. However, it is an effective deterrent against
further rebellion. People sometime make the comment, “why would a loving god
allow these things to happen”.
It is because of the callousness of our heart and the blindness of
our eyes why we cannot see what is happening around us today. The Leviathan
spirit like that of Korach, his skin like that of the Alligator or Crocodile,
it is immune to outside influence. It must be destroyed totally.
Num 16:35
But there came out a fire from YAHWEH, and consumed the two hundredth and
fifties men that offered the incense. -
The second part of this judgment was a fire from יהוה and consumes the others.
If it was just the hole in the ground it could be justified as natural
phenomena, but a hole that devour a certain group and a fire that consume the
rest. This can only be from one source, divinely inspired.
In the Hebrew Scripture chapter 17 starts here. In the Christian
scripture this is verse 35 and end at 50.
All major events in our lives should be signposts of the future,
and to that end יהוה command that the remains of the tragedy
should be used as a permanent reminder of that catastrophic error in judgment,
by those in the redeemed community and their failure of belief.
But far from putting a conclusive end to the rebellion, the
miraculous demise of Korach and his followers gave new birth to a new protest,
for the people were not yet ready to accept what their own eyes had seen.
The result was that Aaron was put to a new test, the outcome of
which demonstrated not merely the shortcomings of others, as had happened to Korach’s
company, but showed Aaron to be the epitome of goodness and flourishing growth.
A far cry from the timed person who made the golden calf.
Num 16:36
And YAHWEH speak unto Moses, saying,
Num 16:37 Speak unto Eleazar, the son of Aaron the
Priest, that he take up the censers out of the burning, and scatter the fire
beyond the altar: for they are hallowed - To Elazar, the task of disposing of
their censers. The two hundred and fifty men had sanctified censers for the use
in incense service. Ordinarily sanctification for a self proclaimed service
would have no effect, but in this case, Moses had commanded them to bring the
incense.
Alternatively, not they but יהוה had sanctified the
censers by using them as the instrument for sanctifying His Name. Therefore,
the censers were now an instrument for holiness.
From the burning will always produce a certain degree of holiness.
When we go through our burning it is to remove from us the things we need to
get rid of, after the burning the ash must be remove and life continue as
before.
Num 16:38
The censers, I say, of these sinners that destroyed themselves: and let them
make of them broader plates for a covering of the Altar: for they offered them
before YAHWEH, therefore they shall be holy, and they shall be a sign unto the
children of Yisrael. – These censers were used to make plates to be
used in the Tabernacle. Instead of been an instrument of praise and worship, it
became of instrument that remind the people of a failed dream, that was cut
short by a wrong taught pattern.
How many believers over the history of the world have seen their
spiritual aspiration cut short because of a wrong, flawed, or misguided belief system?
As one wise person once said the road to hell is paved with misguided
intention.
Num 16:39 Then Eleazar the Priest took the brazen
censers, which they, that were burnt, had offered, and made broad plates of
them for a covering of the Altar. -
Once any object has been dedicated for service to יהוה it cannot, or should I
say, it should never be removed from that service. Even though the individual
may no longer be with us. Instrument that is to be used for my spiritual
growth, share in my inheritance. If I fail to walk accordance to the pattern laid
out in Torah, those instrument them become instrument of lost potential, it
become instrument for display. Display to other of what could have been
achieved.
Num 16:40 It is a remembrance unto the children
of Yisrael, that no stranger which is not of the seed of Aaron, come near to
offer incense before YAHWEH, that he be not like Korach and his company, as YAHWEH
said to him by the hand of Moses. – It is a reminder that a person who have not reach certain
level of spiritual growth, should not come near to offer incense before יהוה.
We are admonished by El Yahushua our Messiyah that we must worship
יהוה
in spirit and in truth. Korach did not have the spirit or the truth. He had the
spirit of Leviathan, and was destitute of the truth.
Num 16:41
But on the morrow all the multitude of the children of Yisrael murmured
against Moses and against Aaron, saying, Ye have killed the people of YAHWEH.
- One of the Seven Spirit of יהוה
is the Spirit of the Fear of יהוה. After seen what was done to the ten spies,
the incident with the quail, and with Korach. The children of Yisrael find it
necessary to continue to murmur. They were rightly called children, who have an
unbroken desire to complain.
It is obvious that Moses had not told the people that יהוה
had ordered the rebels to offer the incense that resulted in their deaths. They
assumed that the incense offering was Moses’ own initiative and that he knew it
would cause them to die. If so, the people complained, he should have chosen a
more non-lethal means to prove his point.
This complaint did not apply to Korach, Dathan and Abiram, for
their deaths were clearly by the Hand of יהוה, who cause the earth to
swallow them. That could not be blamed on Moses. Alternatively, the people
accused Moses of causing the death through his prayer.
Num 16:42
And when the Congregation was gathered
against Moses and against Aaron, then they turned their faces toward the
Tabernacle of the Congregation: and behold, the cloud covered it, and the glory
of YAHWEH appeared. - It is
the nature of EL YAHWEH to destroy sin, wherever it may be. But is also his
desire to forgive sin.
Num 16:43
Then Moses and Aaron were come before the Tabernacle of the Congregation.
- Moses and Aaron were able to come before the
presence of יהוה,
without been consumed, this was due to their holiness factor. As believers we
must always remember that, absolute holiness was required in our approach to יהוה. Even in our prayers, we just can’t come any
how! We must wash ourselves in the Blood and the Water that flows from the side
of El Yahushua.
Verse 44 – 50 once again the intransigence of the people nearly
caused their destruction, and again Moses intervened. This time, he used
incense as the agency of atonement, to prove to the children that the incense
service was not a killer, as they had thought.
Num 16:44
And YAHWEH speak unto Moses, saying, -
Num 16:45 Get you up from among this Congregation: for I will consume them
quickly: then they fell upon their faces. – It is the Nature of יהוה to destroy sin, wherever
it may be. It is also His desire to forgive sin. Moses been a type of Messiyah,
he had the responsibility to intercede on the behalf of the people.
Were the people listening to the instruction or the conversation
between יהוה
and Moses? They certainly acted very quickly, by submitting in the Presence of
יהוה. How many times have יהוה, meant to strike us down for disobedience
and El Yahushua stood up for us. I cannot begin to count. All I can say: Thank
You for Your Blood!
Num 16:46 And Moses said unto Aaron, Take the censer
and put fire therein of the Altar, and put therein incense, and go quickly unto
the Congregation, and make an atonement for them: for there is wrath gone out
from YAHWEH: the plague is began. – The action of a true Redeemer. He
instructs the High Priest to quickly take up his censer and make atonement.
Today our High Priest El Yahushua, just show His wounded Side for our
atonement. It is that wounded side, were the Blood and the Water flows; that
atone and remove our sinful nature.
Num 16:47
Then Aaron took as Moses commanded him, and ran into the middles of the
Congregation, and behold, the plague was begun among the people, and he put in
incense, and made an atonement for the people. – When Moses
ascended to Heavens to receive the Torah, each of the ministering angels taught
him a lesson. That incense can check a plague.
The people had misunderstood the service of incense, saying that
it had caused the death of Nadad and Abihu as well as Korah, Dathan and Abiran.
יהוה
wanted to teach them a lesson by seen that incense is not lethal. On the
contrary, it will stop a plaque; it is sin that is deadly.
Num 16:48 And when he stood between the dead, and them that were alive, the
plague was stayed.
–
Moses was a forerunner to our Master and Savior El Yahushua our Messiyah the
Anointed One. He stands between the wrath of יהוה and show His Wounded
Hands, as He intercedes on our behalf.
Num 16:49
So they died of this plague fourteen Thousand and seven hundredth, beside
them that dyed in the conspiracies of Korach. – The result and issue of the whole matter. YAH’s
justice was glorified in the death of some. Great execution the sword of YAHWEH
did in a very little time. Though Aaron made all the haste he could, yet,
before he could reach his post of service, there were 14,700 men laid dead upon
the spot. There were but few comparatively that died about the matter of Korach,
the ring-leaders only were made examples; but, the people not being led to
repentance by the patience and forbearance of YAHWEH with them, justice is not
now so sparing of the blood of Yisraelites.
They complained of the
death of a few hundred as an unmerciful slaughter made among the people of YAHWEH,
but here YAHWEH silences that complaint by the slaughter of many Thousands.
Those that quarrel with fewer judgments prepare greater for themselves; for
when YAHWEH judges he will overcome. His mercy was glorified in the
preservation of the rest. YAHWEH showed them what he could do by his power, and
what he might do in justice, but then showed them what he would do in his love
and pity: he would, notwithstanding all this, preserve them a people to himself
in and by a mediator. The cloud of Aaron’s incense coming from his hand stayed
the plague.
It is much for the glory
of YAH’s goodness that many a time even in wrath he remembers mercy. Even when
judgments have been begun, prayer puts a stop to them; so ready is he to
forgive, and so little pleasure does he take in the death of sinners.
Num 16:50
And Aaron went again unto Moses before the door of the Tabernacle of the
Congregation, and the plague was stayed. – Aaron and Moses were both a type and
shadow of our Yahushua HaMashiach. One represents the Lion of the Tribe of
Judah, and the other the Lamb slaying from the foundation of the world.
