numbers class 06 the rebelion of korah

Study of Numbers

Class 6

The rebellion of Korah, Dathan and Abiram

The rod of Aaron that blossomed

Study of Numbers – Chapter 16The rebellion of Korah, Dathan & Abiram

In chapter twelve, we have the example of rebellion of Miriam and Aaron. It was a manifestation of a localized and individual rebellion. Here in Numbers 16, we see a colective rebellion.

Korah and his companhions belonged to the levites, therefore, they represented spiritual leaders. On the other hand, Dathan and Abiram were sons of Ruben, thus they represented civil leaders.


It seems as though they had no intention of rebelling against God. Their words seem quite reasonable, but they translated into rebellion. They intended to continue serving God but despised Moses and Aaron.

God, however, cannot be separated from his representative authority. No one can have one attitude towards God and annother completely different attitude with the leaders that he has raised up.


a. A rebellion of leaders Korah’s group was made up of Levites. He represented

spiritual people. Since they were Levites they probably were full of envy and presumption.

The house of Aaron was chosen by God to exercise the priesthood while the house of Korah was chosen to care for the tabernacle. They wanted a position. Envy is always beind rebellion.


Then Moses said to Korah, "Hear now, you sons of Levi: Is it a small thing to you that the God of Israel has separated you from the congregation of Israel, to bring you near to Himself, to do the work of the tabernacle of the Lord, and to stand before the congregation to serve them; 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? Therefore you and all your company are gathered together against the Lord. And what is Aaron that you complain against him?“ Numbers 16:8-11


Korah’s group was not satisfied, they wanted a higher positon thus they rebelled against Moses. This always happens when people seek a position rather than a responsibility.

Dathan and Abiram were from the tribe of Ruben. Ruben was the firstborn, thus they thought that they were the first. They did however represent the leaders. Aside from these another 250 leaders of the people joined them in the rebellion. It is one thing when God’s people rebel, but it is quite annother when the leaders of God’s people rebel.


Together they all attacked Moses and Aaron saying, ‘‘You take too much upon yourselves, for all the congregation is holy, every one of them, and the Lord is among them. Why then do you exalt yourselves above the assembly of the Lord?’’ (Numbers 16:3).

They were disrespectful to Moses and Aaron. Perhaps they were honest in what they said, but they failed to recognize the Lord’s authority. They felt that the matter was a personal problem as if there were no authority among God’s people.


It is so dangerous to ignore authority. God ignored the murmurring of the people ten times, but did not allow them to resist his authority.

God may tolerate many sins for awhile, but, he will not tolerate rebellion, because rebelliousness is the principle of death, the princle of Satan. Rebelliousness is more serious that any other type of sin.


b. Rebellion proceeds from Hades Rebellion is a hellish principle. The people rebelled and

the gates of hell opened. The earth opend its mouth and swallowed the men from Korah, Dathan and Abiriam and all of their belongings. Thus they and all that they possessed descended alive into the abyss.


Observe that the earth opened and devoured them all alive. Deus had tolerated doubt and murrmurring, but would not tolerate rebellion. Rebellion receives greater punishment.

The gates of hell could not prevail against the church, but a rebellious spirit opens it’s doors.


All sins release the power of death, but the sin of rebellion is the most deadly.

Only be obedience and submission can close the gates of hell and produce life.


c. Rebellion is contagious In Numbers16 we have two rebellions. In verses 1-40 we

have the rebellion of the leaders, and in verses 41-50 we have the rebellion of the rest of the people. The spirit of rebellion is contagious.


The judgment of the 250 was not sufficient to dissuade the multitude. The people continued to rebel, declaring that Moses had killed their leaders.

Carnal eyes see only men, they are ignorant of the fact that all authority comes from God. Such people are bold but they don’t perceive when judgment comes upon them.

Study of Numbers – Chapter 17The Rod of Aaron that blossomed

After the rebellion of the people comes God’s terrible judgment. The Lord came to seal the authority of Moses and Aaron. And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying: "Speak to the children of

Israel, and get from them a rod from each father 's house, all their leaders according to their fathers' houses - twelve rods. Write each man's name on his rod. And you shall write Aaron's name on the rod of Levi. For there shall be one rod for the head of each father's house. Then you shall place them in the tabernacle of meeting before the Testimony, where I meet with you. And it shall be that the rod of the man whom I choose will blossom; thus I will rid Myself of the complaints of the children of Israel, which they make against you." Numbers 17:1-5


Although Aaron had made some mistakes even to the point of rebelling against Moses with his sister Miriam, he repented completely. Therefore, God could continue to use him. Even though we make mistakes, if we genuinely repent, God will be able to use us for his purposes.


In verses 7 to 9, we read that Moses entered the tabernacle of meeting and saw Aaron’s rod blossom, producing flowers that yielded almonds.

Then Moses brought out all of the rods before the people and they saw them; and each one took his own rod. Now all of Israel saw the miracle. God had confirmed the priesthood over the family of Levi.


a. The leader is chosen by God The Rod of Aaron has a very important meaning for us

as leaders, since it shows us the basis of authority. The basis of Christian authority is completely spiritual: it is the choice of God.

When the people know for certain that you are called by God, they will respect your authority. Again, it is not a matter of position, but of life.


Korah, Dathan and Abiram had questioned the authority of Moses and Aaron. It was a very delicate moment, there was no way to decide the matter through natural means.

The big question was: what was the basis for Moses and Aaron’s authority? Why could they position themselves as leaders in the midst of God’s people?


Now it came to pass on the next day that Moses went into the tabernacle of witness, and behold, the rod of Aaron, of the house of Levi, had sprouted and put forth buds, had produced blossoms and yielded ripe almonds. Then Moses brought out all the rods from before the Lord to all the children of Israel; and they looked, and each man took his rod. (Numbers 17:8-9)


A Rod is a piece of wood that was cut on both ends, having neither leaves nor roots. Formally it had life, but afterward it was dead. All 12 of those rods were dead and dry, but the Lord said that the rod that blossomed would belong to the chosen tribe.

A dead rod that blossoms speaks to us of resurrection. God has established the principle that the basis of any authority in the church is the resurrection.


What is this life of the resurrection? It is simply receiving life that we could never receive naturally. The leader full of God’s life spontaneously has authority.

No authority proceeds from natural ability. My rod is just as dry as any other, but by the grace of God, he has chosen me.


If God has chosen us for a work, we must exercise authority with conviction, however full of humility, because we have not been chosen based on our merits.

The spiritual leader has no need to impose himself over the others. God himself is responsible for establishing his authority. The Rod that God chooses gives fruit. Even if it is dry on the outside, it is able to give fruit before the Ark.


b. The basis of the authority of the leader Only those who have passed through death have the life

of resurrection. Death is the cross. Jesus went through the cross, for this reason he has

received a name that is above every name. He said, “All authority has been given to me on heaven and on earth” (Matthew 28:18).


He received all authority because he took up his cross and passed through death. In the same principle, you only have authority when you take up your cross.

The true spiritual leader lives the resurrected life.


The life of Resurrection implies everything that I am unable to do, everything beyond my ability. Those who depend on the supernatural power of the Holy Spirit to do God’s work are walking according to the principle of resurrection.

Resurrection is what I cannot do, but what God can, I am nothing, but God is everything.


c. Life is the seal of authority Authority is a matter of life. A dry rod has no more life.

But God caused Aaron’s rod to blossom. The Rod symbolizes authority.

God acts through the principle of life, and the life that springs from death is the life of resurrection.


Normally we associate authority with positions, but it is possible for someone to occupy a position in the church and have no seal of divine authority upon him.

The fact that Aaron’s rod had been placed inside the Ark is highly significant. The Ark represents God’s presence. We only have authority if we walk in God’s presence.


Those who experience the power of resurrection, know that they can do nothing with dead rods, unless by God’s grace the power of heaven comes to make life blossom from us.

The power of resurrection comes when we come to the end of ourselves.

The life of Resurrection implies that everything that we bring with us in birth is natural and must pass through death in order to be acceptable to God.


The true work of God is that which is done beyond our own strength.

The power of the resurrection manifests itself through prayer. When the leader prays intensely, he sees the manifestation of God’s power.

Such leaders have no need to worry about defending their authority, since the Lord himself gives them the seal of his ministry.


Many leaders are not disobedient, they are merely not completely obedient.

Many leaders do not fail to pay a price, they simply don’t pay high enough price.


I want to challenge you to be a truly spiritual leader, full of the authority of God to exercise your ministry. Enter into death, so that the life of God manifest itself in your flock.

Only when we assume this position, do we have true spiritual authority among the brethren.

numbers class 06 the rebelion of korah

Spiritual