Bible Reading: Numbers 16; Psalms 52-54; Isaiah 6; Hebrews 13
Seemeth it but a small thing unto you, that the God of Israel hath separated you from the congregation of Israel, to bring you near to himself to do the service of the tabernacle of the LORD, and to stand before the congregation to minister unto them? (Numbers 16:9)
Korah did not like the fact that Moses and Aaron were set over the congregation of Israel as leaders. Korah is an example in the Old Testament of a man who did not submit to the God ordained leadership that he was placed under. He is an example of rebellion. He said to Moses:
And they gathered themselves together against Moses and against Aaron, and said unto them, Ye take too much upon you, seeing all the congregation are holy, every one of them, and the LORD is among them: wherefore then lift ye up yourselves above the congregation of the LORD? (Numbers 16:3)
Notice that Korah did not acknowledge that God had set Moses up to lead the congregation. He charged Moses with lifting himself up above the congregation. It was true that the LORD was among the people and that they were all a holy people. But God had set up a priesthood that only Aaron and his sons could serve in. Korah was a Levite, but not a priest. These were not Moses' regulations, they were God's!
Moses points out the heart of rebellion in Korah and in all who have a rebellious spirit like his. He counted it a small thing what God had done in his life. As a Levite, he had a very special responsibility to do the service of the Tabernacle. Only a Levite was permitted to do this kind of work. But that was not good enough for Korah. He was jealous of Moses and Aaron. He wanted the priesthood also. Korah was overcome with an ambition that was ungodly. Ungodly ambition and rebellion can be the marks of youth many times. God's Word tells us:
For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. (1 Samuel 15:23a)
Rebellion against God is not a small thing! Korah saw his ministry as a small thing and he wanted more. But God's Word tells us:
Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. (Hebrews 13:5)
Do you struggle with covetousness? Do you look at others with different gifts and envy what God has done in them? What ministry has God given to you? Do you view it as a small thing? God doesn't!
There is no small ministry in God's eyes.
In Christ,
Rody
