Don’t Be a Rebel - Lessons From KorahSample

Korah was punished for his rebellion

Some people think there will be no consequences for their actions or rebellion against God. That’s what Korah and his followers thought. They forgot that God is all-powerful and expects His children to obey Him, much like parents expect their children to obey them.

In response to God’s command, Moses called the people to separate themselves from the tents of the rebellion’s leaders (Korah, Dathan, and Abiram). The same attitude should be among God’s people today. We should stay away from divisive, argumentative, contentious people in the body of Christ.

God then resolved the problem by bringing judgment on the leaders. The earth swallowed Korah, Dathan, and Abiram (16:31-34). The rebels opened their mouths against the Lord and sought a higher place, so the earth opened its mouth to gulp them down to a lower place. The 250 leaders were also burned to death by fire from heaven (16:35).

Korah could have been an admirable helper in the kingdom of God! Instead, he led the wretched life of a conspirator, came to a bad end, and left an infamous name behind. The lust for power—the determination to be the greatest—has been the ruin of many a richly-gifted person.

Negative examples are useful for deterring people from evil and destructive courses of action. The descendants of Korah learned from his sin.

After seven successive generations, the prophet Samuel arose from the line of Korah, the genealogy of which is recorded in 1 Chronicles 6:31-38.

Hundreds of years after Korah’s rebellion, his sons made a spiritual turnaround. One part of the family became the temple doorkeepers and guardians (I Chronicles 9:17, Psalm 84:10), while another became the temple’s musicians, singers, and choristers. This family penned psalms 84-87 and 42-49.

Psalm 84:10, we read, “I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked.” For the sons of Korah, being near God—being in His service—was everything. What Korah took for granted, his descendants treasured.

The sons of Korah could have followed in Korah’s footsteps. But instead, they chose to fulfill the role God had reserved for them with honor and excitement.

What about you? Do you embrace the opportunities God gives you to learn and grow and serve (even when they’re not glamorous or enviable), or do you set yourself against God and demand something “better”?

Let us respect God’s choices and not be a rebel.

Quote: Remorse and regret cannot compensate for sin ... though sins can be forgiven immediately, the consequences can last a lifetime - Edwin Louis Cole

Prayer: Lord, help me remember there is always a price to pay for rebelling against You and the leadership You have appointed. Help me never to be a rebel. Amen