IT'S NOT WORTH IT: REBELLION part two

Dearly beloved, I welcome you to the month of August in the name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. May the glory of God be revealed in you more this month. Here is a continuation of last month’s edition. 

Romans 13:3 says, “For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? Do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same.” God has set up and arranged a divine order to life. He has established positions of authority in the world to protect and guard its citizens. He used government, judicial systems and other civil authorities to bring order and keep peace; these are put in place to protect us. 

As such, when we rebel against those put in place to protect us we are rebelling against God’s institution. As believers we need to understand submission to authority. To live at peace with one another and to obey those who rule over us. If we do right, we will live without fear of consequences. If we do wrong we will bring judgement on ourselves justly receiving the penalties for disobedience. 

I will like us to take a lesson from the rebellion of Korah, Dathan and Abiram. This lesson takes up the study of the rebellion of these men and those who accompanied them. God hates rebellion. These men, as well as the congregation, has seen how God dealt with Aaron and Miriam when they spoke against Moses. Miriam was smitten with leprosy and except for the mercy of God; she would have died of the terrible disease. Through the prayers of Moses, God healed Miriam, but said that she should be shut out of the camp for seven days. The congregation did not journey again until Miriam was brought into the camp; therefore everyone knew what had happened (Numbers 12:1-16). 

This example should have been great enough to keep everyone from speaking against the Lord’s anointed through the Prophet Samuel. God has said, “For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry.” (1st Samuel 15:23). Under the law, witchcraft and idolatry were to be punished by death. We can see just how serious a matter it is to criticize one of God’s representatives who is carrying out the full will of God. In His sight it amounts to rebellion. Under the dispensation of grace the standard is even higher. Jesus said, “But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.” (Matthew 18:6). 

Korah was a Levite of the family of Rohath. This family had been given a specific and important work to do in the tabernacle (Numbers 3:30,31); still Korah was not satisfied with his lot. During Israel’s wilderness wanderings the time came that Moses needed help in governing this great congregation. As a result, seventy elders were appointed to help Moses bear the burdens of the people (Numbers 11:11-17). It was at approximately this period of time that the Lord gave Moses the names of the men who were to be captains of the tribes of Israel (Numbers 1:5-15). Korah, Datham and Abiram were not included in either of these groups of rulers. They became envious of the authority God has given Moses and Aaron. These rebels accused Moses and Aaron of taking too much upon themselves, but forgot that it was God who rules the camp of Israel. But what happened, these men and 250 princes who followed them met their water low. 

Beloved, your pastors, leaders have been placed there by God, submit to their authority in as much as they are in line with God’s will, because in doing that you are obeying, He who has called them to be head over you. 

The people described in Psalms 107 who rebelled against God’s word ended up in darkness and death in the dungeon of defeat and despair. But they cried out to God, and He delivered them. It’s never too late for God’s mercy. You can cry out to Him just as these people did (verse 13,14). They received light and life and liberty because they called upon the Lord. 

May God bless you. See you next month.