KORAH, DATHAN & ABIRAM (2)
(Message by Tanny Keng)
0. Introduction
a) Rebellion against Moses & Aaron
(Text: Numbers 16:1-40)
1. What is the text all about?
a) One of the easiest ways to fall away from following God is to look at our present problems and exaggerate them. Dathan and Abiram did just that when they began to long for better food and more pleasant surroundings. Egypt, the place they had longed to leave, was now looking better and better - not because of slavery and task masters, of course, but because of its mouth-watering food! The two men and their followers had completely lost their perspective. When we take off God and start looking at ourselves and our problems, we begin to lose our perspective as well. Overrating problems can hinder our relationship with God. Don't let difficulties make you lose sight of God's direction for your life.
b) The Israelites were told not even to touch the belongings of the wicked rebels. In this case, doing so would have shown sympathy to their cause and agreement with their principles. Korah, Dathan, and Abiram were directly challenging Moses and God. Moses clearly stated what God intended to do to the rebels (see Numbers 16:28-30).
@1. 28 Then Moses said, “This is how you will know that the Lord has sent me to do all these things and that it was not my idea: 29 If these men die a natural death and suffer the fate of all mankind, then the Lord has not sent me. 30 But if the Lord brings about something totally new, and the earth opens its mouth and swallows them, with everything that belongs to them, and they go down alive into the realm of the dead, then you will know that these men have treated the Lord with contempt.” (Numbers 16:28-30 NIV)
c) He did this so that everyone would have to choose between following Korah or following Moses, God's chosen leader. When God asks us to make a fundamental choice between siding with wicked people or siding with him, we should not hesitate but commit ourselves to be 100% on the Lord's side.
d) Although the families of Dathan and Abiram were swallowed up, the sons of Korah were not wipe out (see Numbers 26:11).
@1. 11 The line of Korah, however, did not die out. (Numbers 26:11 NIV)
e) The pit, or Sheol in Hebrew, is a term often applied to the grave or the world of the dead. Korah and the other rebels were buried alive when the earth split open. God executed swift and final judgment against those who had rejected him.
2. Prayer focus
a) Pray that we would always be the followers of Christ and do what he wants us to do so that we can enjoy his richest blessings on earth.
The End ...
0. Introductiona) Rebellion against Moses & Aaron
(Text: Numbers 16:1-40)
1. What is the text all about?
a) One of the easiest ways to fall away from following God is to look at our present problems and exaggerate them. Dathan and Abiram did just that when they began to long for better food and more pleasant surroundings. Egypt, the place they had longed to leave, was now looking better and better - not because of slavery and task masters, of course, but because of its mouth-watering food! The two men and their followers had completely lost their perspective. When we take off God and start looking at ourselves and our problems, we begin to lose our perspective as well. Overrating problems can hinder our relationship with God. Don't let difficulties make you lose sight of God's direction for your life.
b) The Israelites were told not even to touch the belongings of the wicked rebels. In this case, doing so would have shown sympathy to their cause and agreement with their principles. Korah, Dathan, and Abiram were directly challenging Moses and God. Moses clearly stated what God intended to do to the rebels (see Numbers 16:28-30).
@1. 28 Then Moses said, “This is how you will know that the Lord has sent me to do all these things and that it was not my idea: 29 If these men die a natural death and suffer the fate of all mankind, then the Lord has not sent me. 30 But if the Lord brings about something totally new, and the earth opens its mouth and swallows them, with everything that belongs to them, and they go down alive into the realm of the dead, then you will know that these men have treated the Lord with contempt.” (Numbers 16:28-30 NIV)
c) He did this so that everyone would have to choose between following Korah or following Moses, God's chosen leader. When God asks us to make a fundamental choice between siding with wicked people or siding with him, we should not hesitate but commit ourselves to be 100% on the Lord's side.
d) Although the families of Dathan and Abiram were swallowed up, the sons of Korah were not wipe out (see Numbers 26:11).
@1. 11 The line of Korah, however, did not die out. (Numbers 26:11 NIV)
e) The pit, or Sheol in Hebrew, is a term often applied to the grave or the world of the dead. Korah and the other rebels were buried alive when the earth split open. God executed swift and final judgment against those who had rejected him.
2. Prayer focus
a) Pray that we would always be the followers of Christ and do what he wants us to do so that we can enjoy his richest blessings on earth.
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