The Players of this Torah Portion

The players of this passage are: Moshe, Aharon (Cohen Gadol); Korah (a Levite of which he and his family and lineage served with the Aaronic Levitical Priesthood–he was not a priest but a most blessed assistant and servant to YHVH); Dathan and Abiram (of the lineage of Reuben) and the Children of Israel. (Listen to or read my post on Torah Portions.)

Reuben and the Lost Birthright

Reuben once held but lost her birthright as a result of Reuben sleeping with Jacob’s (i.e., Israel’s) concubine Bilhah (Gen. 35:22). Jacob, Reuben’s father, in his parting words cited:

Reuben, though art my firstborn, my might, and the beginning of my strength, the excellency of dignity, and the excellency of power: unstable as water, thou shalt not excel; because thou wentest up to thy father’s bed and defilesdst thou it: he went up to my couch (Gen. 49:3, 4; KJV).

Now it would appear that the Reubenites, under the leadership of Dathan and Abiram sought now to regain it (Num. 16:1-4).

Enter Korah the Levite

Korah, a Levite, was aggrieved with Aharon and his family who had been elevated to the priesthood. Korah was Moshe and Aharon’s cousin.

According to Hertz’ Torah and Haftorah, the Reubenites and Korah’s Levite tribes marched side by side and likely conspired jointly against Moshe and Aharon. This is confirmed by ESV Study Bible and Num. 2:10, 11; 3:29, which could explain their collaboration. However, Father diminished both: One became incorporated into the inner most circle of the nation. The other was placed on the outskirts of the land, ultimately doomed to a Bedouin tribal life. (Rabbinic tradition) The example of Korah, along with Dathan and Abiram is illustrative of the dangers associated with personal motives.

The Revolt Composition

This cabal collected 250 princes (KJV)/leaders (NASB)/key members (CJB)/chiefs (ESV) of Israel to confront and challenge the authority and leadership of Moshe and Aharon. The point of contention was that the nation as a whole was holy. That Moshe and Aharon were illegitimately usurping authority over a nation of holy people (16:2, 4). It’s almost as if we would have chosen members of Congress going up to the White House and challenging the President and Vice President of the United States. (Would never happen in a million years though, right?)

The Jude–Korah Connection

This rebellion prefigures false teaching in the Body of Messiah (ESV Study Bible), which happens to be highlighted in Jude, which also happens to be the B’rit Hadashah reading for this portion this week. Indeed, we see tucked away in the Body of Messiah, False Teachers, which I prefer the term opponents of Messiah (because they teach nothing; they only bring discord and dissension in the Body). The Jude passage describes these false teachers as being led astray by “relying on their dreams” which the ESV extrapolates as “mistakenly following subjective experiences that they claim are from Yah but that lead them to disobey Torah.” These are following “ungodly passions” as described in verse 18 of Jude. These same souls are sexually immoral (i.e., defile the flesh); they reject authority (i.e., Yah-designated authority); and they blaspheme the glorious ones (i.e., a probable reference to angels with an additional reference to the disputation of Michael with Hasatan over the disposition of the remains of Moshe).

There’s always going to be disagreements within any organization, even within the Body of Messiah. Despite there occasionally being points of disagreement, there is an order that must be reverently respected at the end of the day. That respected order must remain intact, regardless how much the disagreement may infringe upon our sensibilities. Even Michael respected the order that Yah put in place. Instead of causing a horrendous scene, Michael simply pronounced a rebuke of hasatan (reference: Zech. 3:1-5).

The Opponents of Messiah and of YHVH Refuse to Submit to Authority

Bottom line: the opponents of Messiah, as foreshadowed in the example and persons of Korah, Dathan and Abiram, reject the power and authority of Yahoshua and they simply refuse to submit to that rightful authority. They understand nothing apart from their bodily instincts and feelings. “They flout God’s moral standards…follow subjective feelings and desires” and failing to have a disciplined and governed Godly mind, they lead others to “ultimately be destroyed by their own sinful compulsions.” These types, (such as Jude cited of Korah, along with Cain and Balaam) were motivated by greed. Why greed? They were dissatisfied with “the place they occupied, so they engaged in rebellion against YHVH.” Their aim was to seek after personal gain and do so at all costs.

Opponents of YHVH and Messiah Are As Hidden Reefs

The Korahs of the Body are likened, by Jude, as “hidden reefs.” Such hidden reefs in the real nautical world have this devastating tendency of suddenly appearing and destroying ships that come too close to them. Such are the Korahs of the Body: they will participate in the Feasts and in the Master’s Supper, acting the part of a Torah Observant Believer in Yeshua Messiah. They could care less for their brethren. Jude describes them further as waterless clouds, promising rain that never comes; promising fruit but are as fruitless trees; as wandering stars that give misleading guidance to travelers. These are in “spiritual darkness” (ESV). Like Korah and his cohorts, their fate awaits them in “the gloom of utter darkness which is reserved for them forever” (ESV).

A Question of Authority

The ESV suggests that Dathan and Abiram enlisted Korah to be their chief spokesman. Korah spoke against and questioned Moshe’s and Aharon’s authority. This question of holiness on the part of Aharon was contrasted with the supposed holiness of the whole congregation. Korah’s contention was a foolish rationalization that was fueled only by his personal lust for power and authority. As noted above, Korah was not content with his place in the Congregation of Israel. He wanted to be seen and over everything and everybody. His argument had nothing to do with holiness and serving Abba and doing the will of the Most High. It was all about him.

Dathan, Abiram and their cohorts focused upon the same ole sad song and dance of the miserable conditions the nation was suffering under sojourning in the wilderness. These malcontents went on to dredge up the whole thing about returning to Egypt once again.

YHVH Does Not Take Well To Rebellion

Father does not tolerate rebellion in His Body, especially when that rebellion is directed towards His appointed leaders such as Aharon. Ultimately, Korah’s and the cohort’s rebellious acts sealed their doom. Judgment was rendered upon them by Yah. The earth opened up and swallowed them, along with their tents and their co-conspirators.

After the cabal state their positions against Moshe and Aharon, Moshe and Aharon fall on their faces (16:4). By now, after seeing how Father operates when it comes to challenges to His commandments, instructions and established institutions such as the Levitical Priesthood, you would think that Korah, Dathan and Abiram would have immediately thought to themselves: ‘Oh my, what have we done?!’ And then they themselves would fall on their respective faces and seek YHVH’s mercy through the intercessions of Moshe and Aharon. Yet these fools were too deluded in their own personal agendas and consumed by their greed and hatred of the things of YHVH.

Moses–A Leader With True Caring Love For People

But here’s where the True leaders and people of Yah shine through: instead of engaging the cabal in verbal and physical conflict, Moshe in great wisdom simply turned this whole thing over to YHVH. Moshe told the group: “In the morning YHVH will show who is His and He has brought whomever is holy near to Himself. The one whom He has chosen He will bring near to Himself” (16:5).

This foreboding, yet awesome statement from Moshe foreshadowed that which Shaul (i.e., the Apostle Paul) wrote to his young mentee, Timothy:

…solemnly charge them in the presence of Yah not to wrangle about words (i.e., quarreling; contend; dispute; engage in word-battles), which is useless, and leads to the ruin of the hearers. Be diligent to present yourself approved to Yah as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, handling accurately the Word of Truth. But avoid worldly and empty chatter, for it will lead to further ungodliness, and their talk will spread like gangrene…Nevertheless, the firm foundation of Yah stands, having this seal, YHVH knows those who are His,’ and ‘let everyone who names the name of YHVH abstain from wickedness (2 Tim. 2:14-19; NASB).

No Need For Debate or Argument

You see, there’s no need to debate or contend with one another over anything, both within and without the purview of our Faith. We see this commonly played out on social media. And I was once one who would regularly engage others who I felt were engaging in improper and ungodly discourse. It took some growth on my part, conviction by the Holy Spirit and repentance to come out of such behavior. And when I look back upon those social media battles, I can honestly say that no good came out of those fights. All it did was take glory away from Yah and fuel an ungodly fire that spread like gangrene amongst the brethren. The mature believer realizes, as Paul counseled, that Father knows who are His and it is not our role, purpose or even business to involve ourselves in pointless word battles. Nothing is ever gained.

So we see here that Moshe chose not to engage the Korah-Dathan-Abiram cabal. Instead, Moshe instructed Korah and his men to take unto them their censers, initiate fires within them and put incense atop the fires the very next morning and then allow Father to single out in the sight of the entire nation who are His (16:6, 7).

The Real Reason for the Uprising of Korah-Dathan-Abiram Revealed by Moses

Moshe did render a warning to Korah’s and his cohort. Moshe stated the obvious fact that it wasn’t enough that Korah and his family were chosen out of the nation to serve alongside the Levitical Priests. No. Korah and his family wanted to succeed the Aaronic Priests in position and service. No other family nor tribe possessed such a blessed position of service and place in the congregation (16:8-10). Sadly enough, Moshe brilliantly pointed out to Korah that his argument was not against Aharon, but was really against YHVH, the one who appointed Aharon and his family to the priesthood (16:11).

When Moshe turned to address Dathan’s and Abiram’s cohort, they refused to deal with Moshe, citing that Moshe’s authority has served only to cause them misery in the wilderness. The cohort cited that they had a good life in Egypt and now Moshe was using the people who were taking away from their once privilege lives in Egypt (huh? they were slaves remember?), only to lord over them and subject them to misery (16-12-14).

A Date That Will Live In Infamy

Korah’s-Dathan’s-Abiram’s-revolt led to the deaths of over 15,000 people. Personal ambitions and greed can be extremely dangerous to the Body of Messiah.

The next morning, Korah and his family brought their lit censers and stood outside the door to the Tent of Meeting. YHVH’s presence appeared to the congregation (16:18, 19). Oh, oh, Daddy’s home!

Needless to say, Daddy’s NOT happy. He instructs Moshe and Aharon to “separate themselves from among the congregation so that Yah could consume them with His wrath (16:21). Yet true to Moshe’s compassion for the who of the nation, He intercedes and reasons with Father. Moshe reasons that the nation as a whole should not be held responsible for the misdeeds of Korah, Dathan and Abiram, which Father conceded (16:22-24). The whole of the nation would not be punished for the Korah, Dathan and Abiram revolt.

I found it fascinating that Moshe isolated the Korah, Dathan and Abiram, along with their families and possession, from the rest of the tribes. And instead of just having the punishment handed down upon the offenders surely and swiftly, Moshe ensured that He and Aharon’s authority would first be cemented in the minds of the people by prophecying on the pending demise of the offenders. Moshe described exactly what was going to happen to Korah, Dathan and Abiram, and all that belonged to them. He added a disclaimer, however: if the offenders perished by any other means other than that which He prophecied, then Father has not appointed them overseers of Israel, as was originally challenged by the offenders (16:29). But if the earth happened to open its mouth and swallow the offenders and all that belonged to them up, then He was Yah’s man (16:30, 31).

Needless to say, the demise of the offenders came just as Moshe prophecied (16:31-33). Furthermore, the 250-leader-co-conspirators were consumed by fire. This harkens back to two-previous incidents where Father punishes problem children by consuming them with fire (Lev. 10:2; Num. 11:1). When would the people ever learn one wonders?

One of Aharon’s sons, Priest Eleazer, was instructed to gather up the censers of the offenders, discard the coals abroad the camp, but hammer the censers into sheets to cover the altar (17:2 NJB;; 16:37-40). Indeed, the censers were still considered holy by YHVH, having been previously used in the sanctuary service. This would serve as an “object-lesson” for the nation (NJB). The object-lesson being that that which Father has esteemed as holy and set apart for His purpose, is not to be trifled with nor challenged by anyone.

The Rest of the Story

Well, the story doesn’t end here with this object lesson. The nation as a whole confront Moshe and Aharon, accusing them of murdering their fellow Israelites (Num. 16:41). Moshe killed no one: Father punished the offenders. And as we’ve seen played out a number times in the past, the presence of YHVH descends upon the Tent of Meeting in response to this revolt (16:42). As they always do, Moshe and Aharon immediately respond themselves to the front of the Tent of Meeting. As we just saw happen during the Korah uprising, Father instructs Moshe and Aharon to separate themselves from among the rabble-rousers in anticipation of Father’s wrath consuming them for their revolt (Num. 16:45). This time we have no indication in the text that Moshe nor Aharon fell on their faces to plead the people’s case before YHVH. Instead, this time, Moshe instructs Aharon to quickly make atonement on behalf the people in anticipation of a plague that was then coming upon the nation for their revolt (16:46). It was as a result of Moshe’s quick instruction in response to the revolt that saved the nation from being entirely destroyed by the plague. Aharon stood between the living and the dead with his lit censer, making atonement on behalf the people, and the plagued was halted (16:48; CSB).

15,000 People Dead Because

In total, over 15,000 people died that day as a result of the selfish ambitions of a small handful of malcontents. Indeed, a sobering story that has tremendous applications even for every Torah Observant Believer in Yahoshua Messiah today. It takes very little to incite troubles and problems within the Body of Messiah. Yet those troubles and problems can easily be assuaged and avoided simply by respecting that which Father has put into place and the plans that He has set into motion. Father knows what He’s doing. All we need to worry about and focus upon is to behave ourselves and as Paul instructed:

⦁ Pursue after righteousness.
⦁ Refuse to participate in debates and quarrels–“The Master’s bond-servant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, able to teach, patient when wronged, with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition…”(2 Tim. 2:23, 24; NASB).
⦁ Focus on preparing ourselves for the service of the Kingdom and of Yah, by being workmen and workwomen who do not need to be ashamed of our profession, accurately handling the Torah of YHVH (2 Tim. 2:15).
⦁ Let us become vessels for honor, sanctified, useful to our Master and prepared for every good work (2 Tim. 2:20, 21).

If we but take our eyes off what other people are doing and what other people have going for them, and instead, focus our attention on being the best servant we can be, then we will serve the Master well. We simply must give ourselves over fully to His service. We must simply empty ourselves of self and allow the Holy Spirit (i.e., His Ruach HaKodesh) to direct and guide our walk and lead us unto all understanding–all Truth (Joh. 16:13).

Faithfully Submitted,

Rod