Parasha KORACH
Numbers 16:1 – 18:32
(Geneva Bible)
Please Pray this
Prayer, before
reading
I Prayer
In the name of Yahushua
Our Messiyah,
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 YAHVEH.
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 and I
will tell you who you are! The tribe of Rueben who was camped next to Korach
and his followers, must have listened 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
negativesm to the Reubenites.
Num 16:2 And they rose up
against Moses, two hundreth and fifties captains of the assembly, of the
children of Yisrael, everyone famous in the Congregation, and men of renoume,
-
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 Darren one of my lieutenants, a 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 of spiritual fervor.
Num 16:3 who gathered themselues together against Moses, and against
Aaron, and said unto them, Ye take too much upon you, seeing all the
Congregation is holy, every one of them, and YAHVEH is among them: wherefore
then lift ye your selves above the Congregation of YAHVEH? – 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
instead of the Creator.
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 place me incharge. 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 YAHVEH 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 spake to Korah and
unto all his companie, saying, in the morning YAHVEH 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. YAHVEH will show, was Moses reply 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 YAHVEH tomorrow: and the man whom YAHVEH 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 say that יהוה
spoke to Him.
Num 16:9 Seemeth 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 YAHVEH, 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 hurtfull, for it
usually comes from those who are most closest to you. The one who is been rebell
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 convince 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 rebelled against YAHVEH.
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? Is
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 the influence of the 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 learnt 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, thou,
and all thy companie are gathered together against YAHVEH: 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 thou hast brought us out of a land that floweth with milk and honey, to
kill us in the wildernesses, except thou 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 YAHVEH 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 thou hast not
brought us unto a land that floweth with milk and honey, neither given us
inheritance of fieldes and vineyardes: wilt thou 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 YAHVEH, 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 whent 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 YAHVEH 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 thou and all thy companies before YAHVEH:
both thou, 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
YAHVEH, two hundreth and fifties censors: thou 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 an
agreement to stand before YAH’s, not doubting that YAHVEH would appear, to
decide the controversy.
This reference he
had agreed to before, and he adds only one clause, which discribe his great
condescension to the plaintiffs, that Aaron, against whose advancement they
excepted, 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 therefore 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. – In the
spirit of the word, cenor is a code word for Ego. Everyone of Korach brought
their ego to 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 pretence for long. 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 a unholy or selfish ego?
Yet, to confront
Moses and Aaron, in the height of his pride they exihibition of the selfish
ego, the Korah type selfish ego, employs defiance against Heaven, and pretends
to be on the side of heaven by demand divine acceptance without an unselfish
ego; therefore the wretchedness of the human heart is made more difficult
through the deceitfulness of selfishness which is the root of all sin. They took
every man his ego. Perhaps these were some of the censers, selfish ego
which were 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 YAHVEH 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.
The ability to sommond a following, is never a sign of
leadership in the Kingdom of heaven. It is a sign that one have the enormous
ego required to be a leader. The size of one ego or the size of a basket
determine the ability of the individual to accomplish more with what they are
given.
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 YAHVEH in
their defense, and he argued that the people should distance themselves from Korach
and his followers.
Num 16:20 And YAHVEH speak unto Moses and to Aaron, saying –
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 angel 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 put 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 wilt thou 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 YAHVEH spake unto
Moses, saying, - How many time did
Torah ever say that YAHVEH spoke to Korach, yet it is about 63 times in Torah
so far that it says that YAHVEH 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 the flesh, 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 thou draw out leviathan with an hook? or his tongue with a cord which thou lettest down? Isa 27:1
In that day YAHVEH with HIS swored 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 an 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 Moses any respect.
Num 16:28 And Moses said, Hereby you shall know that YAHVEH 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,
YAHVEH 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 YAHVEH make a
new thing, and the earth open her mouth, and swallowe them up with all that
they have, and they go down quick into the pit, then ye shall understand that
these men have provoked YAHVEH. -
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 assended
to Heavens while still in the flesh, in this verse we hear of a group of people
to desended to Hell alive. This verse seem to imply the seriousness of the
rebellious spirit amoung 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 YAHVEH, 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 a 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 YAHVEH 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 halowed - 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 YAHVEH,
therefore they shalbe 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 YAHVEH, that he be not like Korach and his company, as
YAHVEH 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 YAHVEH. - 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 YAHVEH appeared. - It is the nature of EL YAHVEH 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 YAHVEH 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 YAHVEH: 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 middes 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 YAHVEH 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 YAHVEH with them, justice is not now so sparing of the blood of
Yisraelites.
They complained of
the death of a few hundreds as an unmerciful slaughter made among the people
of YAHVEH, but here YAHVEH silences that complaint by the slaughter of many
thousands. Those that quarrel with less judgments prepare greater for
themselves; for when YAHVEH judges he will overcome. His mercy was glorified in
the preservation of the rest. YAHVEH 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 Judyah, and
the other the Lamb slaying from the foundation of the world.
