Day 44: Numbers 16, 17 and 18

Why then do you set yourselves above the Lord's assembly? (Numbers 16:3)

Korah, one of the Levites and member of an influential family, became envious of Moses’ position of leadership. He brought 250 of his closest friends to challenge the authority of Aaron and Moses. What is perhaps more disturbing is that these 250 were appointed council members who were supposed to serve the community, obviously persons of influence in their own right.

How could Moses be so misunderstood? He didn't have a self-serving bone in his body. He had left the luxuries of Pharaoh's palace to defend the nation of Israel. He had placed himself between God's wrath and the people, interceding for them on more than one occasion.

What precipitated this uprising? Was it the failed incursion into the Promised Land, or the resulting defeat at the hands of the Amalekites and Canaanites? Or was it the Sabbath breaker whose execution was ordered by Moses (speaking for the Lord, of course)? Or was it something completely different?

Basically what we have here is one of the most tragic business meetings in church history. Democracy is a beautiful thing, but works better when those in the majority lobby for the good of the assembly rather than for their own selfish interests. So much for getting out the vote.

If you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God (1 Peter 2:20).

Have your best motives and efforts ever been misunderstood?