This continued pattern of rebellion against leadership shows how contagious it is. First Miriam and Aaron, then the leadership appointed by Moses to spy out the land, ten of the 12 came back with a bad report (Numbers 13:17-33), and then encouraged the folks to rebel against the Word God had sent and against Moses, who they had wanted and agreed to have lead them (Exodus 20:18-20). Moses appointed by God to lead and confirmed by the people, now finds his leadership rejected.
Because of their rejecting of the Promise God told them,
27 “How long shall I bear with this evil congregation who complain against Me? I have heard the complaints which the children of Israel make against Me. 28 Say to them, ‘As I live,’ says the LORD, ‘just as you have spoken in My hearing, so I will do to you: 29 The carcasses of you who have complained against Me shall fall in this wilderness, all of you who were numbered, according to your entire number, from twenty years old and above. 30 Except for Caleb the son of Jephunneh and Joshua the son of Nun, you shall by no means enter the land which I swore I would make you dwell in. 31 But your little ones, whom you said would be victims, I will bring in, and they shall know the land which you have despised. 32 But as for you, your carcasses shall fall in this wilderness. 33 And your sons shall be shepherds in the wilderness forty years, and bear the brunt of your infidelity, until your carcasses are consumed in the wilderness. (Numbers 14:27-33, New King James Version)
Three Levites from the Tribe of Levi, of course, Korah, Dathan, and Abriam not only challenge Moses’ leadership, being themselves in leadership position, not only want to stand in the office of Priests, but begin stirring up the rest of the folks to join their Posse, bad move, deadly move.
10 and that He has brought you near to Himself, you and all your brethren, the sons of Levi, with you? And are you seeking the priesthood also? 11 Therefore you and all your company are gathered together against the LORD. And what is Aaron that you complain against him?”
12 And Moses sent to call Dathan and Abiram the sons of Eliab, but they said, “We will not come up! 13 Is it a small thing that you have brought us up out of a land flowing with milk and honey, to kill us in the wilderness, that you should keep acting like a prince over us? 14 Moreover you have not brought us into a land flowing with milk and honey, nor given us inheritance of fields and vineyards. Will you put out the eyes of these men? We will not come up!”
15 Then Moses was very angry, and said to the LORD, “Do not respect their offering. I have not taken one donkey from them, nor have I hurt one of them.”
16 And Moses said to Korah, “Tomorrow, you and all your company be present before the LORD—you and they, as well as Aaron. 17 Let each take his censer and put incense in it, and each of you bring his censer before the LORD, two hundred and fifty censers; both you and Aaron, each with his censer.” 18 So every man took his censer, put fire in it, laid incense on it, and stood at the door of the tabernacle of meeting with Moses and Aaron. (Numbers 16:10-18, New King James Version)
12 And Moses sent to call Dathan and Abiram the sons of Eliab, but they said, “We will not come up! 13 Is it a small thing that you have brought us up out of a land flowing with milk and honey, to kill us in the wilderness, that you should keep acting like a prince over us? 14 Moreover you have not brought us into a land flowing with milk and honey, nor given us inheritance of fields and vineyards. Will you put out the eyes of these men? We will not come up!”
15 Then Moses was very angry, and said to the LORD, “Do not respect their offering. I have not taken one donkey from them, nor have I hurt one of them.”
16 And Moses said to Korah, “Tomorrow, you and all your company be present before the LORD—you and they, as well as Aaron. 17 Let each take his censer and put incense in it, and each of you bring his censer before the LORD, two hundred and fifty censers; both you and Aaron, each with his censer.” 18 So every man took his censer, put fire in it, laid incense on it, and stood at the door of the tabernacle of meeting with Moses and Aaron. (Numbers 16:10-18, New King James Version)
Keeping to my theme that within these Five Books of Moses, Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy are the patterns for successful living, as well as the highlighting of issues of life all men face, these particular chapters of Numbers are showing us where “rebellion” begins. Social discourse, how we treat each other, the respect or lack thereof, begins with those in leadership positions. We place and or accept leadership knowing full well who and what they are. It only takes about 15 minutes of observing someone to know who and what they are, especially if they are trying to get a posse to follow them. Are they humble, are they prideful, are they crooks, and the list goes on and on. If you really want to know who and what they are take them to lunch/dinner even if they have more money then you because it will not be an expense but an investment into you, your family, community and country's future.
21 The purity of silver and gold is tested
by putting them in the fire;
The purity of human hearts is tested
by giving them a little fame. (Proverbs 27:21, The Message)
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