Topical Bible: Christian Minister: Korah, Dathan, and Abiram

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Introduction:
Korah, Dathan, and Abiram are notable figures in the Old Testament, primarily recognized for their rebellion against Moses and Aaron during the Israelites' wilderness journey. Their account is a significant account of defiance against divinely appointed leadership and serves as a cautionary tale about the consequences of challenging God's established order.

Biblical Account:
The narrative of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram is primarily found in Numbers 16. Korah, a Levite and cousin of Moses and Aaron, along with Dathan and Abiram, who were from the tribe of Reuben, led a rebellion against Moses and Aaron. They questioned the authority and leadership of Moses, asserting that the entire congregation was holy and that Moses and Aaron had exalted themselves above the assembly of the Lord.

Numbers 16:3 records their challenge: "They came together against Moses and Aaron and told them, 'You have taken too much upon yourselves, for all the congregation is holy, every one of them, and the LORD is among them. Why then do you exalt yourselves above the assembly of the LORD?'"

The Rebellion:
Korah's rebellion was not merely a political insurrection but a spiritual defiance against God's chosen leaders. The rebellion attracted 250 prominent community leaders, indicating a significant challenge to Moses' leadership. Dathan and Abiram, who were aligned with Korah, refused to come when summoned by Moses, further displaying their contempt and rebellion.

Divine Judgment:
In response to the rebellion, Moses sought the Lord's guidance. God instructed Moses to separate the congregation from the tents of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram. Moses declared that if these men died a natural death, then the Lord had not sent him. However, if the earth opened its mouth and swallowed them alive, it would be a sign that they had treated the Lord with contempt.

Numbers 16:31-33 describes the judgment: "As soon as Moses had finished saying all this, the ground beneath them split open, and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed them and their households, all Korah’s men and all their possessions. They went down alive into Sheol with all they owned. The earth closed over them, and they vanished from the assembly."

Aftermath:
The rebellion's aftermath was severe. The earth swallowed Korah, Dathan, and Abiram, and fire from the Lord consumed the 250 men offering incense. This event served as a powerful demonstration of God's authority and the sanctity of His chosen leaders. The censers of the 250 men were hammered into a covering for the altar as a reminder to the Israelites that only the descendants of Aaron were to offer incense before the Lord.

Legacy and Lessons:
The rebellion of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram is referenced in other parts of Scripture as a warning against rebellion and disobedience. Jude 1:11 warns against those who "perished in Korah’s rebellion," highlighting the severity of their sin. The account underscores the importance of respecting God's established order and the dangers of pride and self-exaltation.

Conclusion:
The account of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram remains a sobering reminder of the consequences of challenging divine authority. Their rebellion and subsequent judgment illustrate the seriousness with which God views the sanctity of His appointed leadership and the unity of His people.

Nave's Topical Index

Numbers 16:1
Now Korah, the son of Izhar, the son of Kohath, the son of Levi, and Dathan and Abiram, the sons of Eliab, and On, the son of Peleth, sons of Reuben, took men:
Nave's Topical Index

Library

The Ministerial Office
... Aaron was called to minister in holy things; " to offer ... of the whole Jewish as well
as Christian Church ... Ye did not then, like Korah, Dathan, and Abiram, "seek ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 115 the ministerial office.htm

Epistle Lxvii. To the Clergy and People Abiding in Spain ...
... the altar of the Holy One to minister they shall ... to be manifested also in Numbers,
when Korah, and Dathan ... Church of God, nor the strength of Christian virtue or ...
/.../cyprian/the epistles of cyprian/epistle lxvii to the clergy.htm

Endurance of the World's Censure.
... Afterwards, in like manner, Korah, Dathan, and Abiram rose up ... bidding you nothing
which, as a minister of Christ ... This is the true Christian spirit, to be meek ...
/.../newman/parochial and plain sermons vol viii/sermon x endurance of the.htm

Knox and Queen Mary, 1561
... as far as we are aware; but in 1562, Fergusson, minister of Dunfermline ... by a month)
her idolatry was rebuked by a pageant of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram. ...
/.../lang/john knox and the reformation/chapter xiv knox and queen.htm

Separating the Precious from the Vile
... shall go down alive into the pit, as Korah, Dathan, and Abiram ... were not for the
countenance of the Christian Church ... Bishop of So-and-so, or the minister of such ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 6 1860/separating the precious from the.htm

Turn or Burn
... let the open mouth of the earth which swallowed up Korah, Dathan, and Abiram, warn
you ... In the backwoods of Canada there resided a good minister, who one ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 2 1856/turn or burn.htm

Ephesians iv. 7-Apr
... not what was the fate of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram ... to become a priest, let all approach
to minister. ... with the context by the specifically Christian character of ...
/.../homily xi ephesians iv 7-apr.htm

Meditations of the Misery of a Man not Reconciled to God in Christ ...
... The ear can minister no comfort. ... thrust, there shall be such weeping, woes, and wailing,
that the cry of the company of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram, when the ...
/.../bayly/the practice of piety/meditations of the misery of.htm

The Census of Israel
... and sudden destruction, as when Korah, Dathan, and Abiram ... We miss some useful Christian
woman, and we ... them that heard it." Hearing may minister to condemnation ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 37 1891/the census of israel.htm

The Birth of Mary the Holy Mother of God, and Very Glorious Mother ...
... as a gift to the Lord my God; and it shall minister to Him ... the Lord thy God, and
remember what the Lord did to Dathan, and Abiram, and Korah; [1580] how ...
/.../unknown/the protevangelium of james/the birth of mary the.htm