Giving Up

Based on Numbers 16-18

They heard the news. Some were concerned. Now, at this point in the reading, some Israelites completely gave up hope in God's anointed leaders. The complaining & the murmuring became so divisive: "Therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices." Proverbs 1:31. This is exactly what happened to the sons of Korah! Their own divisiveness pulled them down into a literal pit, forever dividing them from God's people.

"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?" Numbers 16:3.

Although the sons of Korah claim an "anointing" and do not directly state their anger at God, the truth is, in being frustrated with the holy leadership, they were frustrated with their holy God. GOD put Moses & Aaron in their positions, but the people forgot that. They gave up on God's order & structure. This is why murmuring & complaining against those in leadership can only lead to a bitter end-it's not that those people are "high & mighty." It's our GOD who's high & mighty! God loves all His people, and this division caused Him great devastation.

So, to show the people that this was a "God thing" and not a "Moses thing," Moses said:

"But if the Lord make a new thing, and the earth open her mouth, and swallow them up, with all that appertain unto them, and they go down quick into the pit; then ye shall understand that these men have provoked the Lord." Numbers 16:30.

These people were not going to die a typical death, in a way that would allow the people to once again question God & His appointed leaders. A pit was going to open up beneath them! Only God could do that! If all of this wasn't a sign to not give up on God & His leaders, I don't know what it! God is always in control!

"And Eleazar the priest took the brasen censers, wherewith they that were burnt had offered; and they were made broad plates for a covering of the altar: To be a memorial unto the children of Israel, that no stranger, which is not of the seed of Aaron, come near to offer incense before the Lord; that he be not as Korah, and as his company: as the Lord said to him by the hand of Moses. 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." Numbers 16:39‭-‬41.

After this event had taken place, all the plates of incense from the sons of Korah were spread upon the altar as a memorial. In giving up on God's plan, His people, and His order, they gave themselves up as well. They lost themselves in pride. When we willingly become bitter, we give ourselves up to a lifetime of sin, hatred, pain, and so much negativity. When we willingly sacrifice our own will for God's, it's the best choice! He loves us, and we then give ourselves up to a lifetime of joy in The Lord-and we can look forward to a much brighter eternity!

And look at the last unfortunate part of this passage-the very next day, the remaining people complained once again! After all they had seen happen to the sons of Korah, they were bold enough to blame Aaron & Moses! All this time, Aaron & Moses prayed to God for His people. That's leadership love. That's God's love. That's why we need to respect our Pastor & elders! Even in our bitterness, they pray for us!

So, God did send a plague, because again, lessons must be learned to cause a change in character. But still, God's leaders stood in the gap for the people:

"And he stood between the dead and the living; and the plague was stayed. Now they that died in the plague were fourteen thousand and seven hundred, beside them that died about the matter of Korah. And Aaron returned unto Moses unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation: and the plague was stayed." Numbers 16:48‭-‬50.

God doesn't want us to give up on those He has put in authority, because that ultimately means we give up on Him. At this point with the Israelities, God allowed for a more positive sign to show that Aaron was a priest anointed by God, and that the people should willingly follow him:

"And it shall come to pass, that the man's rod, whom I shall choose, shall blossom: and I will make to cease from me the murmurings of the children of Israel, whereby they murmur against you." Numbers 17:5.

Sure enough, Aaron's rod budded! Chapter 18 describes Aaron's service & his portion in The Lord in a little more detail, and it just goes to show how blessed we are if we don't give up! Instead of giving up, give it up to God & see how your life blossoms!