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 held a notable position of honor and trust within the community. Nevertheless, Korah failed to recognize the significance of the responsibility bestowed upon him by God. Driven by an insatiable desire for greater respect than he believed was afforded by his current role, he approached Dathan and Abiram from the tribe of Reuben. Together, they successfully rallied 250 of Israel’s leaders to join them in a rebellion against Moses and Aaron, the appointed leaders chosen by God. Confronting Moses and Aaron, Korah and his associates questioned why they had elevated themselves above the people of Israel. Upon hearing their challenge, Moses fell on his face, a gesture of humility and seriousness, as he addressed Korah and his faction. He summoned Dathan and Abiram, yet they boldly defied him, accusing him of leading them away from abundance and toward death in the wilderness. Moses instructed Korah and his followers to bring their censers and ignite them so that they could all stand equally before the Lord, allowing Him to select His leader publicly. He pleaded with God not to annihilate the entire community due to the transgressions of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram. In response, God directed Moses to have the people move away from the tents of these wicked men, as they alone would face destruction. 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 that hanging around rebellious companies 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. Some people 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 13:17 says, “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.” Too many people are led to destruction because they lack their own convictions. They allow the opinions, words, and actions of others to dictate their lives, even when those influences are harmful or misguided. 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 allow ourselves to be intimidated into accepting the beliefs of the world, nor let their aggressive tactics sway us. We should strive to avoid the fate of Aaron, who yielded to the sinful notion of creating a golden idol for the Israelites simply because it was the prevailing 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. Stand firm in your decisions and avoid doing things simply because they are popular or because everyone else is following along. Take control of your choices and refuse to be swayed by societal pressure; just because something is widely accepted doesn’t make it right. Choose your own path and stay true to your values. 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 engage in evil because everyone else is doing it because your actions have consequences, and it’s crucial to align yourself with God’s will and commandments.
O Lord, I reject rebellion and seek grace to submit to spiritual authority in Jesus’ Name.