Discontent with God's direction to wander in the wilderness, several groups rebelled. Korah was the cousin of Moses and Aaron (1). He and his fellow Levites wanted to take the priesthood (10). 250 community leaders felt Moses and Aaron should be under their authority in making decisions for the whole assembly (2-3). Some Reubenites, Dathan and Abiram, were upset that Moses didn't lead them into the land flowing with milk and honey (13-14). They banded together to overthrow Moses and Aaron and lead the people of God.

Moses did not engage in a battle for power. Rather, he fell facedown. Moses pointed out that it is God who is sovereign, not people. The LORD chooses who comes near, and who is holy (7). Their rebellion is against God. No human motive or method will succeed. In the church, Christ is sovereign, not people. We do well to check our motives and methods in light of this story.

Moses reminds the Levites of the privilege they have to be near to God (10). God who appoints us to his service and bestows gifts to each one, to be used in building up the whole (Eph 4:11-13). Let's be thankful for our gifts and exercise them faithfully and wholeheartedly, building up our community.


Application: Father, thank you for choosing me to be near you. Help me humbly live under your sovereignty and build up Jesus' church today.
One Word: Thankfully accept God's sovereignty