Numbers 16:1-24

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TALKS FOR GROWING CHRISTIANS

Another Sin of the Wilderness: Rebellion

Printed Version

BACKGROUND NOTES



DOCTRINAL POINT(S)

  1. The sin of contempt results from rebellion in the human heart.

  2. The sin of contempt results in severe discipline from the Lord.

PRACTICAL APPLICATION

  1. Accept the position that God has given you.

QUESTIONS

  1. Who were Korah and his companions rebelling against?

  2. Why are the false teachers of Jude 11 likened to the rebellion of Korah?

  3. Review the Tree of Pride which depicts the Sins of the Wilderness.

  4. What did the rebels accuse Moses of doing?

  5. How did Moses seek to show that he and Aaron had divine authority?

  6. Did the Lord accept the offering of Korah and his companions?

ANSWERS

  1. They were rebelling against God by rebelling against the authority structure He had set up in Moses and Aaron.

  2. The rebellion of Korah was a rebellion against God’s authority, just as the false teachers in the early church.

  3. - The Branch of Discontent has Leaves of Complaining – Numbers 11
    - The Branch of Jealousy has Leaves of Criticism – Numbers 12
    - The Branch of Unbelief has Leaves of Compromise – Numbers 13-14
    - The Branch of Rebellion has Leaves of Contempt- Numbers 16

  4. They accused Him of blinding the people to the truth and acting like a prince over them.

  5. He proposed a test in which Korah and his companions would present burning incense in censers to the Lord, a function of the priests. The Lord Himself would show who the true priests were.

  6. No, He intended to strike them dead because of their rebellion and presumption.

DISCUSS/CONSIDER

  1. Discuss what it means to show contempt for someone. Why would the sin of contempt come from a rebellious heart? Discuss the authority structures God has placed in your life. Are you showing proper respect to these authorities?

  2. Discuss how Moses and Aaron are types of Christ as they intercede for the people. Aaron as High Priest is a type of Christ as our High Priest. Moses as mediator is a type of Christ as the only mediator between God and man (1 Timothy 2:5).

CHALLENGE

  1. God had given Korah and the other Levites an honorable position in Israel. But Korah was unsatisfied with the position God had given him. What positions has God given you- in your family, your work, your ministry? Are you filling these positions to the best of your abilities and thankfully serving Him?

KEY VERSES

  • “Is it a small thing to you that the God of Israel has separated you from the congregation of Israel?” Numbers 16:9

  • “Therefore you and all your company are gathered together against the LORD.” Numbers 16:11

  • “For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry.” 1 Samuel 15:23

Ron ReidNUMBERS 16:1-24