In this week’s Portion, from Parashat Korach in
Bamidbar / Numbers 16:1-17:15, Korach, Datan, and Aviram rose up and
assembled themselves against Moshe and against Aharon and questioned whether their role
as priests was really the will of God. 250 men went to offer incense by fire
before the Lord. As a result, the entire assemble of men died by fire that
proceeded from the Lord God because of their sin. The entire camp of Korach,
Datan, and Aviram were also swallowed up in the earth going down to the grave alive.
After these things, the congregation (sons of Yisrael) complained against Moshe
and Aharon and a plague broke out in their midst. Moshe told Aharon to take a
censor filled with burning incense and stand in the gap between the dead and the
living. As we study the reading from the Triennial Cycle this week, the children
of Yisrael persisted in a rebellious Spirit against Moshe, Aharon, and God. What
can we learn about having a rebellious spirit before God that applies to our lives
today? The people did not appear to understand that rebellion is as the sin of
witchcraft (1 Samuel 15:23). The
peoples response over the death of Korach, Datan, and Aviram is recorded in
16:41 But on the next day all the congregation
of the sons of Israel grumbled against Moses and Aaron, saying, ‘You are
the ones who have caused the death of the Lord’s people.’ (NASB)
The second sin of rebellion causes the Lord to say
“hibadlu mitokh haeda hazot vaakhale otam keraga”
meaning “part from the midst of the
congregation so that I can consume them.” Rebellion and having
a rebellious spirit before the Lord is certain death. Does our spirit today
exhibit aspects of rebellion like Yisrael here? This week we will see that it
is very important we root out any and all forms of rebellion in our lives.
Read More here.
