Korah’s Rebellion - Unveiling Rebellion in Our Hearts
Korah’s rebellion against Moses and Aaron in Numbers Chapter 16 during the time of Israel in the wilderness unveils hiding rebellion in our hearts and teaches us about contentment in times of the unknown.
In Numbers chapter 16 of the Old Testament, Korah, a Levite, and other children of Israel chose to rebel against Moses and Aaron and challenge their position with God among them. At the core, Korah and those with him were not pleased with the position God provides for them.1 They acted in rebellion to position themselves in a way which they deemed appropriate. The Nelson study Bible ends its description of Numbers 16:9-11 with, “They were not unlike people who complain about the gifts God has given them.”1
I think back on all these years I’ve been running away from gifts God has given me. Whether I’m any good or not, the truth remains that I love singing, making music and writing. Now I wonder, has the fear that’s kept me back all these years had its root in rebellion against God and lack of contentment with what He has provided? Have I been lacking faith, relying on what I perceive to be true instead of finding contentment with where I am, what God has given me and the way He has provided? It hurts my heart to dwell on this! But these are the hard questions we must ask ourselves should we let the Spirit work in us, making us more like Christ. Being put on a cross hurts, but as our old man is crucified with Jesus we are renewed in Him, as well. God is so kind - in the deep pain of seeing and knowing our sin, we receive hope in what Jesus has done for us. We have hope in knowing He has taken that sin from us and given us His righteousness and a new life.
Scripture to Contemplate
Ephesians 4:22-24 “you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.” (NKJV)
Romans 6:3-8 “Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been united together in the likeness of His resurrection, knowing this, that your old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin. For he who has died has been freed from sin. Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him”
Applying the Scripture
I must remember that the joy and hope of this new life comes with the responsibility of acting in faith, with trusting God and walking His path. When my eyes open to ways I refused God in the past, I must be diligent in turning back from those ways. How can I act in faith? How can I trust God? How can I accept with gratitude what I have and where I am now?
Sure, I still see ways I could be a better singer, a better guitar player, a better writer. But I can’t let that define me. Maybe we could be better listeners, better about reaching out to others, more inviting, overall more willing to hone our gifts. Yet perhaps for now it’s important to focus on our heart: Do we see these gifts with which God blesses us as gifts or burdens? Do we trust they are enough or desire more? Do we allow God to lead us in the ways we share His provision, or do we seek our own way?
Focus Verse
Galatians 2:20 “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.”
A Life Exchanged
“I won’t do this!”
I say to You
“It’s not my place. It will never do!”
How may I know my place, indeed,
when I cannot see
to my left or my right
to the ends of the earth
to the depth or height
of the heavens and sea?
In fear and pride rebellion waits
for my faint heart to seek to waste
the kind gifts You offer me.
What is life offered in exchange
when the one I grasp tightly
is a fool’s charade?
When the one You offered for me to be free
is one perfect, holy and complete.
“I’m sorry. I’m sorry.”
I say to You
You forgive me, You love me
and let me start anew.
My God, I thank you for the gifts You give me;
I wish to share them for others to see.
I accept the place You provide for me
and humbly ask guidance to act for Your glory.
References:
Radmacher, Earl D., et al. The Nelson Study Bible: New King James Version. T. Nelson Publishers, 1997.
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