God Gets Fed Up
Good Morning,
Although God is merciful beyond words, long-suffering, patient, and so very much more, make no mistake, God is holy, just, and righteous as well. God does get "fed up" (using our terms) with mankind at times.
Korah was in the tribe of Levi. His family members were not priests, but they were involved in the work of the Tabernacle.
Numbers 16:1 “Now Korah, the son of Izhar, the son of Kohath, the son of Levi…”
vs. 9 “Seemeth it but a small thing unto you, that the God of Israel hath separated you from the congregation of Israel, to bring you near to himself to do the service of the tabernacle of the LORD, and to stand before the congregation to minister unto them?”
vs. 10 “And he hath brought thee near to him, and all thy brethren the sons of Levi with thee: and seek ye the priesthood also?”
It appears that Korah and the others were not satisfied with their roles; they wanted to be in charge and to have the most important jobs. These men, who were important among the people of Israel, came to Moses and were critical of his leadership.
Numbers 16:3 “And they gathered themselves together against Moses and against Aaron, and said unto them, Ye take too much upon you, seeing all the congregation are holy, every one of them, and the LORD is among them: wherefore then lift ye up yourselves above the congregation of the LORD?”
Now people make many statements that are stupid, but this is one of the winners in the "stupid olympics”: Verse three says, “…seeing all the congregation are holy, every one of them, and the LORD is among them…” In our church congregation, I would not venture to say they were all saved, let alone righteous; yet, in this verse, these men (with several million people) said they were ALL righteous. These men were only concerned about their chance to be the leader. They certainly did not want any others to be in charge. They simply selected those terms to get the approval and support of the group.
In verse three, Korah says another stupid statement, “…wherefore then lift ye up yourselves…” Korah accused Moses of promoting himself to be the ruler. Remember how Moses pushed himself into leadership in Egypt and how he fought to be in charge? Of course not! None of us do. What we remember is his begging God to leave him alone to watch his sheep. Remember how the Red Sea parted? Remember the twelve plagues? Remember the bitter water made sweet? How about daily manna from Heaven for years? Yet, Korah said Moses made himself leader — one more statement to add to the "stupid encyclopedia."
In verse thirteen, Korah gets really stupid (like a liberal reporter) and said, “…thou hast brought us up out of a land that floweth with milk and honey…” He called Egypt a land of milk and honey! The same people who killed their babies and enslaved the nation! That nation is not exactly a land of blessings.
In verse fourteen, Korah continues his idiotic ranting: "Moreover thou hast not brought us into a land that floweth with milk and honey, or given us inheritance of fields and vineyards..." People with big mouths usually have a little truth in their corrupt conversation. It is true they had not yet come into the land of Canaan; but if we were to go back two chapters to Numbers fourteen, we would read that they stood at Kadesh Barnea and refused Moses’ exhortation to enter the land. Moses, Joshua, and Caleb urged everyone to go into the land. Korah was correct in saying they were not in a land of plenty, but it was he and the princes of the land who turned away from the blessed land God had promised. To speak well of Egypt and criticize the blessed life God had for them was very unwise. When people begin defending their old lives in the world and attacking their new lives in Christ, you can be sure they are on a slippery slope to ruin.
Back to the story of Israel, stupidity had pushed itself too much in front, and God was ready to kill the entire group; but Moses and Aaron interceded for the people, and the nation was spared.
Numbers 16:21 “Separate yourselves from among this congregation, that I may consume them in a moment.”
vs. 22 “And they fell upon their faces, and said, O God, the God of the spirits of all flesh, shall one man sin, and wilt thou be wroth with all the congregation?”
Moses tells the people to watch and see what happens, and they would know whom God had called and which of the two men was a deceiver. Not long after, the earth opened and swallowed Korah and his followers (vs. 31). It was surely clear that God was the One in charge and that Moses was simply His servant. With Korah dead, being swallowed by the earth, you might think that all the stupid thinking died with him — but not while men still walk the earth. The people blamed Moses for killing Korah. Wow! That was a stretch; but humanity loves to blame, and pointing a finger at God is difficult.
Numbers 16:41 "But on the morrow all the congregation of the children of Israel murmured against Moses and against Aaron, saying, Ye have killed the people of the LORD.”
To be clear, Korah did wrong and was punished, but now everyone was angry at Moses. Be careful; God is in Heaven watching, and He does have a hand in the affairs of our lives.
At this point, stupidity had been just a little too prevalent, and God was done; He was sure to kill them now. God told Moses to get away from the people.
Numbers 16: 45 “Get you up from among this congregation, that I may consume them as in a moment. And they fell upon their faces.”
Even though the people gave Moses no end of trouble, once again, he talked God out of killing them.
God gets impatient, or in our vernacular, ”fed up” or "sick and tired" of stupidity pouring out of the mouths of people. We ought to walk in fear. We should humbly walk before God, keeping our mouths shut as much as possible.
We can be sure that God does hear and will care for the evil around us. Rest in Him, and guard your words.
Pastor