Numbers 16:31-33(KJV)
And it came to pass, as he had made an end of speaking all these words, that the ground clave asunder that was under them: and the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed them up, and their houses, and all the men that appertained unto Korah, and all their goods. They, and all that appertained to them, went down alive into the pit, and the earth closed upon them: and they perished from among the congregation.
The family of Kohath had a position of honor and trust. But Korah did not appreciate the confidence God had placed in him. He had a longing for greater respect than he thought was his in his present duties. He spoke to Dathan and Abiram of the tribe of Reuben, persuading 250 of the princes of Israel to join him in rebelling against Moses and Aaron, the men God had set up as the rulers of the people. Korah, Dathan, Abiram, and the 250 princes came to Moses and Aaron and asked why they had set themselves up as heads of Israel. When Moses heard it, he fell on his face and spoke to Korah and his company. Moses sent to call Dathan and Abiram, and they defied him, complaining that he had not led them into a land of plenty but to kill them in the wilderness. Moses said Korah and his followers should come with their censers and put fire in them, and all would stand equal before the Lord and let Him choose His leader before the public. Moses begged God not to destroy all the people because of the sin of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram. So, God told Moses to direct the people away from the tents of the wicked men, for they are the only ones to be destroyed. As Moses said, the earth did open up, and it swallowed not only Korah, Dathan, and Abiram, but their tents and all the people in their lives went down into the pit. Then the big pit closed up, and they were buried alive. The 250 princes who had burned incense did not escape. The Lord sent fire among them and burned them all.
The truth is hanging around rebellious company brings destruction, and disregard for authority sacrifices our destiny. Many have met their untimely death because of this act of rebellion. Leadership emanates from God, so anyone who resists authority resists the ordinance of God. There are people who sit in church and comfortably criticize the message being preached by the pastor and everything going on in the church. That is rebellion; avoid it! Hebrews 13:17says, “Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.” Many are destroyed because they don’t have a mind of their own. They live their lives based on what others think, say or do, even if it is evil. Exodus 23:2 says, “Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil; neither shalt thou speak in a cause to decline after many to wrest judgment.” As children of God, let us not be terrified into surrendering to the world’s beliefs, nor let their militant way of enforcing their agenda move us. Let’s not be like Aaron, who conceded to the sinful idea of making a god of gold for the Israelites because that was the popular opinion of the majority.
Beloved, refuse to live a life of rebellion and disregard for authority. Resist their company. Make up your mind to be a person of conviction to survive the last days. Always stand for the truth, knowing that one with God is the majority, even in the face of hostility. Resist the lie you have to join the world to perpetrate evil, especially those identified as socially acceptable or politically correct when you are in the minority. Refuse to be a person who does things because it is popular or because everyone is doing it. Refuse to be a victim of societal influence; even though everyone is doing it doesn’t make it right, don’t join them. Today stand for God and be a person of conviction, not consensus. Repent all disobedience and rebellion to receive the full benefits of God’s plan and purpose for your life. Appreciate your leaders, pray for them, and be instruments of encouragement to them. Remember, do not do evil because everyone else is doing it.
O Lord, I reject the lifestyle of rebellion and disregard for spiritual authority. I ask for the grace to submit to the spiritual power over my life in Jesus’ Name.