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Scripture Reading:  Numbers 16:1-5

The Rebellion of Korah (1)

Intro.

1.  History is full of those who rebelled against the arrangements God has made – Jude 5-11 (v. 11:  Rebellion of Korah).

2.  Korah (cousin of Moses & Aaron, Exo. 6:18, 20-21) & company rebelled, & when all was said & done, almost 15,000 people die (Num. 16:49). 

3.  Rebellions like Korah’s continue to happen in the congregation of Israel (the church).  Where do we stand?

I. THE REBELLION OF KORAH.  (Give an overview of Num. 16)

  A.  The Complaint was Against God (rejected the Lord, 16:30; 26:9):

    1.  God’s established order (16:3, 28).  (Rejected divine authority):

      a.  Moses – Num. 12:6-8 – All Israel knew God chose Moses.

      b.  Aaron – Num. 3:10 – Chosen by God to be priests before Him.

      c.  Levites – Num. 3:5-9 – Given to the priests to serve Israel.

    2.  God’s approved leaders (16:3, 12-14, 28-33); cf. 1 Tim. 5:19 (not taken of one’s own will, but of God, Acts 20:28; Heb. 5:4).

    3.  God’s blessings of service (16:8-10; cf. 1:47-53; 3:5-10; 4:4-20).  -cf. Psa. 84:10

  B.  The Sin of Gainsaying (Jude 8-11; Tit. 1:9-11).

      -(antilego:  “to speak against, gainsay, contradict, to oppose one’s self to one, decline to obey him, declare one’s self against him, refuse to have anything to do with him” OBGL); attempt to gain the advantage.

    1.  Spoke against Moses & Aaron (Jude 8, 10) – To gain an advantage.

       -Accusation- 16:3, 28

    2.  Driven by envy – Psa. 106:16.  (“…displeasure produced by witnessing or hearing of the advantage or prosperity of others…envy desires to deprive another of what he has….” (Vine, 204)

    3.  Display of pride & selfish ambition – 16:3, 10 (Heb. 5:4).

      a.  Kohathites had an honored position of service (Num. 4:4-20).

      b.  Service is great in the kingdom (Matt. 20:26; Jno. 13:12-17).

    4.  Not content with God’s way…wanted the priesthood (16:10).

  C.  The Sin of Factiousness, Psa. 106:17 (Gal. 5:20):

    1.  Selfish ambitions (“factions” ASV), Num. 16:7; Warning, Phil. 2:3-4.

    2.  Dissensions (“divisions” ASV), 16:11; 1 Cor. 1:10; 3:3 (same word).

       -It is the divisive “we” & “us” mentality, Tit. 3:9-11.

    3.  Heresies (“parties”), 16:16; cf. 1 Cor. 11:19 (destructive, 2 Pet. 2:1).

       -Destroys unity as it demands one “line up” with men; greater respect for man than truth;  It is carnal, 1 Cor. 1:11-12 (3:3).

  D.  The Influence of Factiousness, 16:2, 41-50.

    1.  Grows:  250 leaders – 16:2, 35; All the congregation – 16:41 (1 Cor. 5:6; 2 Tim. 2:16-17).

    2.  Do not go along with it – 16:26; cf. 2 Jno. 10-11.

  E.  God Punishes the Factious, Psa. 106:16-18 (Prov. 6:19); Gal. 5:20-21; Jude 11.

Conclusion

1. The warning is clear:  1 Cor. 10:10 – We must remember.

2. Factiousness promotes opinions & will of men instead of “the doctrine which you learned” – Rom. 16:17.

3. Isa. 55:8-9, 11 – Man’s ways are not God’s ways.  It is a matter of faith to humbly accept His ways & follow His word (v. 11).

4. Part 2:  Lessons to learn & apply.