Korah, Dathan and Abiram led a rebellion in the wilderness. Their rebellion was not just against Moses and Aaron but also directly against the Lord because they proposed to overthrow the system of Levitical priesthood that God had ordained.

What was their problem? Well, they had a lot to say for themselves, but the root of their rebellion was firstly a total lack of appreciation of the nature of God and God’s purposes. They failed to understand that the troubles they had faced since leaving Egypt were due to the people’s rebellion and God’s judgements. They could not perceive the will of God or the actions of God. Once they counted God out of the equation, the natural person to blame was Moses, so they turned on him.

Secondly, they failed to understand that the call of the Levites was to service – to serve God and to serve the people in priestly ministry. Instead, they viewed it as a calling of power and prestige. So rather than viewing Moses as God’s servant, they viewed him as a person with power and they wanted some of that power. They were jealous.

The people rebelled against the people that God had placed in leadership. A leader may not always be right in every instance – nobody is perfect – but to rebel against a divinely appointed leader is an act of rebellion against God who appointed them. Instead, we are to respect those who God has placed in authority over us (1 Thess 5:12-13) and pray for them (1 Timothy 2:1-4). The role of a leader is to serve the people and to serve God. The role of the people is to follow. May God give us the wisdom to discern those who he has appointed into leadership, and the humility to submit to their leading.

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NEWBOLD COMMUNITY CHURCH