Why is it such a big deal for Korah, Dothan, and Abiram to want to do the job of the priests? Why should they have to be limited in what they could do to serve simply because of the family they were born into?
It is easy to get caught up in thinking in terms of our perception of fairness, entitlement, and equality. But their mindset revealed their beliefs about who God is.
Korah, as a descendent of Kohath, had been assigned the role of caring for the Most Holy Things. His responsibility was limited in that he was not to look on the holy items or to touch them. They would be covered up when he received them and he would be responsible for transporting the pieces assigned to him, but he would never get to actually see the magnificent beauty of the solid gold pieces - the ark of the covenant, the golden altar of incense, the table with the bread of the presence, and the golden lampstand. It must have been a remarkable honor, and yet very humbling to know that you could not even peek at them.
By grumbling about not being a priest, Korah was dismissing and disdaining the place of honor that God had given him in his desire for the place given to the sons of Aaron.
That's a temptation that is common to us all! It is so easy to look at what God has given someone else and wonder why He hasn't blessed us in that exact same way (money, talent, skill, education, creativity, success, home, car, job, travel, metabolism, shoe size....and that's just my confession). We often disregard what God HAS given us and focus on what He has not.
The root of that desire is as old as the Garden of Eden. At its heart is the question of God's character and His love. Does He really have my best interests in mind? Does He really love me?
God settled the question of His love for us at the cross. No further proof needed. The fact that we exist and that He has caused us to wonder about Him, to seek Him, and to find Him are all further evidence of His love for us. His provision for our basic needs, His answers to our prayers, the peace that He gives as we fellowship with Him in prayer - these are all the overflow of His infinite grace.
As hard as it is for me to remember sometimes, everything that God has given, even my lack of vocal talent, is perfectly the way He planned it to be. I didn't miss the roll call when He was handing out musical ability. God chose, out of His love for me and knowing what would be in my very best interest for eternity, to gift me with a tin ear.
What gifts are you overlooking because you're distracted by the gift someone else received?
It is easy to get caught up in thinking in terms of our perception of fairness, entitlement, and equality. But their mindset revealed their beliefs about who God is.
Korah, as a descendent of Kohath, had been assigned the role of caring for the Most Holy Things. His responsibility was limited in that he was not to look on the holy items or to touch them. They would be covered up when he received them and he would be responsible for transporting the pieces assigned to him, but he would never get to actually see the magnificent beauty of the solid gold pieces - the ark of the covenant, the golden altar of incense, the table with the bread of the presence, and the golden lampstand. It must have been a remarkable honor, and yet very humbling to know that you could not even peek at them.
By grumbling about not being a priest, Korah was dismissing and disdaining the place of honor that God had given him in his desire for the place given to the sons of Aaron.
That's a temptation that is common to us all! It is so easy to look at what God has given someone else and wonder why He hasn't blessed us in that exact same way (money, talent, skill, education, creativity, success, home, car, job, travel, metabolism, shoe size....and that's just my confession). We often disregard what God HAS given us and focus on what He has not.
The root of that desire is as old as the Garden of Eden. At its heart is the question of God's character and His love. Does He really have my best interests in mind? Does He really love me?
God settled the question of His love for us at the cross. No further proof needed. The fact that we exist and that He has caused us to wonder about Him, to seek Him, and to find Him are all further evidence of His love for us. His provision for our basic needs, His answers to our prayers, the peace that He gives as we fellowship with Him in prayer - these are all the overflow of His infinite grace.
As hard as it is for me to remember sometimes, everything that God has given, even my lack of vocal talent, is perfectly the way He planned it to be. I didn't miss the roll call when He was handing out musical ability. God chose, out of His love for me and knowing what would be in my very best interest for eternity, to gift me with a tin ear.
What gifts are you overlooking because you're distracted by the gift someone else received?
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