Lord, Change My Attitude_ Before Its Too Late Part 11

One pastor raised his hand and said, "I'm not suffering at all. My life is just going so perfectly wonderful. Everything is great at my church. Everything is great at home. I'm not suffering in any way. I just..."He couldn't quite formulate a question.

Well, John Piper is a very gracious man. It took him a couple of minutes to get to the bottom line. He basically said, "Do you know what? Too many Christians, including pastors, are living on wimpy faith. They're not putting themselves in a position to trust G.o.d." Then Piper got serious. "Do you want to suffer? Just go share Christ with every person on your street, and press it to the point where he knows that he's going to go straight to h.e.l.l if he steps out of this world without Christ. You'll suffer.

"Just call up all of the apostate pastors in your area who aren't preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ," he continued. "Challenge them to get on the biblical program. You'll suffer.

"If you're not suffering in this world," he concluded, "it's becaue you're not choosing to walk to places where you have to trust G.o.d."

I took John's words to heart! They challenged my faith. Now I pa.s.s them on to you. Do you want your faith to grow? Make a decision to "corner" it-to live it out in the hard challenges of life. I don't mean through presumption or any fleshly putting G.o.d to the test. But allow G.o.d to lead you, then willingly go by faith into situations where you have no way out but with G.o.d. Corner your faith, and it will grow for sure.

You may wonder, "But during those tough times, can I hang in there?" and "Can Jesus sustain me in faith?" Remember Jesus' admonis.h.i.+ng words, "'If You can?' All things are possible to him who believes" (Mark 9:23).

UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL.

Contrary to popular opinion, pastors struggle with faith too. Now I no longer wonder about the reliability of the Bible or the historicity of Jesus Christ, but I do wonder about other matters of faith. I struggle at times to wait for G.o.d to balance the books of justice. I have seen and experienced at least my share of harsh treatment in this world, and it is not in my nature to sit quietly by and wait on G.o.d. When falsely accused, I want to lash out, say what I know, and set the record straight. I am aware of the axiom "truth and time walk hand in hand," but I often feel like truth takes too long to make itself heard. The answer? I keep going and commit my reputation to G.o.d.

Moving from ministry issues to family, I find it hard sometimes to trust G.o.d with my children. I become anxious about their futures in this dark world and want to protect them from every evil influence that would seek to capture their minds. And sometimes I get very disappointed with Christians. I don't see how people can live with such a gaping cavern between what they profess to believe and what they actually live. I see too many people harboring bitterness when we are clearly commanded to forgive. I see too many people living for the here and now. But the bottom line is: I see too many people people and need to get and need to get my eyes back on the Lord. my eyes back on the Lord. Like Peter walking toward Christ on the water, the moment that you and I take our eyes off the Lord, we begin to sink. I could tell you in detail how I resolve each of these issues, but the answer for me is always the same: Like Peter walking toward Christ on the water, the moment that you and I take our eyes off the Lord, we begin to sink. I could tell you in detail how I resolve each of these issues, but the answer for me is always the same: faith. faith.

LET'S TALK SOLUTION Here are three questions to ask as you develop faith, the fourth Promised Land att.i.tude: 1. Can you describe the last time you actually and specifically trusted G.o.d about something? Can you describe the last time you actually and specifically trusted G.o.d about something? Have you told anyone about that? If you have not, try to do so this month. Have you told anyone about that? If you have not, try to do so this month.

2. How would you rate yourself in the three keys to growing your faith: (1) focusing on the Word, (2) having a witness, and (3) walking daily in your faith? How would you rate yourself in the three keys to growing your faith: (1) focusing on the Word, (2) having a witness, and (3) walking daily in your faith? In what ways has your life become like a wilderness because you have been choosing doubt and unbelief over the power of trusting G.o.d by faith? In what ways has your life become like a wilderness because you have been choosing doubt and unbelief over the power of trusting G.o.d by faith?

3. Look back at the three steps to faith just above. Look back at the three steps to faith just above. What practical steps could you commit yourself to just now that would grow your faith and all the joy and blessing that comes with it? What practical steps could you commit yourself to just now that would grow your faith and all the joy and blessing that comes with it?

Look Up Father, thank You for giving me Your Word. Thank You for ordaining that the way to You is by faith. Forgive me for wis.h.i.+ng that everything about You could be seen and known as a fact. Forgive me for preferring the ways of this physical world to the spiritual realities that You have chosen to create. Teach me deeper lessons about what it means to walk by faith. Give me spiritual eyes to see this world as You do. Help me to embrace by faith the brevity of life and the nearness of eternity. Give me strength to guide those I love toward faith in You, and help me to be a good example of what it means to really trust You. Lord, my needs are g but You are a great and faithful G.o.d. I pray that You would, by Your Word and through my witness and walk of faith, increase my capacity to rest in and trust You. Might it be said of me before my days are through that I am a man/woman of faith. Keep this goal ever before me, I pray in Jesus' precious name. Amen.

NOTE.

1. 1. Michael P. Green, ed. Ill.u.s.trations for Biblical Preaching Ill.u.s.trations for Biblical Preaching (Grand Rapids: Baker, 1989), 137. (Grand Rapids: Baker, 1989), 137.

CHAPTER 9:.

REPLACE A REBELLIOUS ATt.i.tUDE...

NUMBERS 16.

SAY IT IN A SENTENCE: SAY IT IN A SENTENCE:.

Rebellion against proper authority reveals a deeper rejection of G.o.d's authority, which brings devastating consequences to our lives.

Rebellion! What do you picture when you hear the word? Some Fonzie-like tough with the collar up on his black leather jacket and an att.i.tude that will not quit? Maybe you picture a sixteen-year-old standing up to parents and resolutely refusing to do what is asked. Or do you think of people resisting government authority and marching in the streets to demand their rights? What do you picture when you hear the word? Some Fonzie-like tough with the collar up on his black leather jacket and an att.i.tude that will not quit? Maybe you picture a sixteen-year-old standing up to parents and resolutely refusing to do what is asked. Or do you think of people resisting government authority and marching in the streets to demand their rights?

Rebellion has many faces, and all are not equally bad. Certainly the American Revolution had elements of rebellion in it, as did the women's and civil rights movements of the now-past century. But when rebellion is against G.o.d and His ordained authority structure, the consequences can be devastating.

That's rebellion in a nutsh.e.l.l. It's knowing what G.o.d wants me to do and refusing to do it. Like Saul, like Samson, like Jonah . . . wait, like me. We all have rebellion in our hearts. All of us have areas in our lives where we have chosen not to do what we know to be right. All of us know more than we are doing. That is rebellion.

In this chapter, we want to look at the rebellion of the children of Israel, find out where they went wrong, and see if we can avoid a similar peril in our own lives. Let's begin with this thought: Rebellion is serious.

This is no small matter or trifle that we're talking about. Lives are at stake. There is no heart that G.o.d has a harder time dealing with and changing than a rebellious heart. By the time Numbers 16 happened, Moses and Aaron had led the children of Israel-two million of them-on a journey from Egypt to the borders of the Promised Land. Actually it wasn't much of a journey. Did you know that it was only three hundred miles? And did you know that it took them, minus the wandering, only sixteen months, with a year of that time being spent at Mount Sinai camped in one place? Their rebellious att.i.tudes, however, extended a short trip into a lifelong journey-forty years of wandering -that they would never finish.

KORAH GOES CRAZY.

Your Bible probably subt.i.tles Numbers 16, "Korah's Rebellion." As with the other events from this section of Scripture, the apostle Paul says that what happened is recorded "for our instruction" (1 Corinthians 10:11). Let's remember that during the events recorded in Numbers 16, Moses was more than eighty years old. He was a proven leader, though certainly not perfect. We see some of his faults, but he's humble and he has been successful. Clearly, the people's murmuring was often against Moses, but their failure wasn't his fault.

A group of men, led by Korah, got together and began a revolt. They wanted to carry out some kind of mutiny against Moses and Aaron. So they got in Moses' face about what they felt was wrong with his leaders.h.i.+p. In truth, they resented Moses and Aaron because of their prominence as leader and priest to the people. G.o.d's anger at their rebellion was so strong that Moses had to plead with G.o.d not to wipe out everyone because of the rebellion of a few. G.o.d responded, and Moses warned the people to back away from the rebels (verses 2124). Then Moses told the rebels, in effect, "Do you guys want to be priests? Do you want to be me? Do you think you can do what I do?" He told them to pick up the censers, as a way to claim their new roles. A censer, in case you're wondering, is a pole with a pan on the end, covered by a lid. It was used to carry coals in wors.h.i.+p. The priests would scoop coals out of the fire and then bring them into wors.h.i.+p, where different fragrant herbs and spices would be placed in the censer as a fragrant offering before G.o.d.

Now only the priests were allowed to use censers in wors.h.i.+p. Through Moses, G.o.d told all these wanna-be priests, "Go get a censer. Do you want to be a priest? Let's do this right now." G.o.d allowed them to pretend to be priests so He could clearly indicate who was and was not really on His program. Second Timothy 2:19 says, "The Lord knows those who are His." "The Lord knows those who are His." The bottom line: In the midst of all of this, the ground opened up and swallowed all the rebels. Those with the censers fell alive down into h.e.l.l itself. Then other rebels were burned alive by a fire from G.o.d (see verses 2835). The bottom line: In the midst of all of this, the ground opened up and swallowed all the rebels. Those with the censers fell alive down into h.e.l.l itself. Then other rebels were burned alive by a fire from G.o.d (see verses 2835).

Amazingly, the people who watched all of this actually began to complain against against Moses and Aaron. They blamed their leaders for Korah's rebellion. So G.o.d sent a plague, and eventually more than fifteen thousand people died in the rebellion of Korah (see verses 4150). Moses and Aaron. They blamed their leaders for Korah's rebellion. So G.o.d sent a plague, and eventually more than fifteen thousand people died in the rebellion of Korah (see verses 4150).

That has got to be one of the most tragic stories in all of the Old Testament. These people knew the truth. They had no excuse-yet they chose rebellion, so G.o.d had to choose judgment. In case you didn't catch it: Rebellion is serious. Rebellion is serious. The Bible says that The Bible says that "rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft" "rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft" (1 Samuel 15:23 NKJV). Think about that for a moment: all of the horrific animal sacrifices and cruel, perverse activities that are connected with witchcraft. You say, "Well, I would (1 Samuel 15:23 NKJV). Think about that for a moment: all of the horrific animal sacrifices and cruel, perverse activities that are connected with witchcraft. You say, "Well, I would never never do something so sick and idolatrous as witchcraft." No, I believe that you wouldn't. But G.o.d says that from His perspective, rebellion is like the sin of witchcraft. Rebellion is very serious. do something so sick and idolatrous as witchcraft." No, I believe that you wouldn't. But G.o.d says that from His perspective, rebellion is like the sin of witchcraft. Rebellion is very serious.

WHO'S IN CHARGE?

Romans 13 tells us that the powers that be are ordained of G.o.d. So what are these powers? What authorities has G.o.d established?

-- Human government.

-- Church leaders.h.i.+p-elders and pastors-and other recognized church leaders.

-- Husbands in the home as leaders of the family.

-- Husbands and wives together as leaders of their children.

-- Our bosses at work and the people who are over us. You may say, "You don't know where I work." No, no, listen; that relations.h.i.+p is established by G.o.d for a reason.

-- The whole criminal justice system and the court system, which can be seen as part of human government.

The powers that be are ordained of G.o.d. And to make a choice to rebel against authority that G.o.d Himself has established is a very serious choice.

Now we could talk about different kinds of rebellion. We could talk about knowing what G.o.d wants me to do in His Word and not doing it. But the primary focus of Numbers 16, the wilderness att.i.tude we're trying to put off, is rebellion against people, not rebellion against truth. We're not talking about rebellion against the Word. This whole chapter is about the people that G.o.d has placed in authority in your life and how you handle them. In thinking about them, this is the first principle to remember: Rebellion is serious.

Here's a second truth about rebellion from Scripture: Rebellion exists in every human heart.

Numbers 16 vividly pictures how rebellion exists in every human heart. Take note of verses 12: "Now Korah the son of Izhar, th son of Kohath, the son of Levi, with Dathan and Abiram, the sons of Eliab, and On the son of Peleth, sons of Reuben, took action." "Now Korah the son of Izhar, th son of Kohath, the son of Levi, with Dathan and Abiram, the sons of Eliab, and On the son of Peleth, sons of Reuben, took action." The two names that are really important in there are The two names that are really important in there are Levi Levi and and Reuben, Reuben, founders of two of the twelve tribes in the nation of Israel. Verse 2 says that these descendants founders of two of the twelve tribes in the nation of Israel. Verse 2 says that these descendants "rose up before Moses, together with some of the sons of Israel, two hundred and fifty leaders of the congregation, chosen in the a.s.sembly, men of renown." "rose up before Moses, together with some of the sons of Israel, two hundred and fifty leaders of the congregation, chosen in the a.s.sembly, men of renown." Who are these rebels? They're not outcasts. They're not known troublemakers; not the untrained and uneducated, on the fringe of the nation of Israel. These are n.o.ble men of the Israelite society. They're responsible leaders gone bad. Who are these rebels? They're not outcasts. They're not known troublemakers; not the untrained and uneducated, on the fringe of the nation of Israel. These are n.o.ble men of the Israelite society. They're responsible leaders gone bad.

Korah was a descendant of Levi, the tribe that was given the responsibility of tabernacle wors.h.i.+p. Only the Levites could lead wors.h.i.+p, so Korah had a significant place in the tabernacle wors.h.i.+p. In addition to Korah and his Levites, we also meet Dathan and Abiram among the Reubenites who helped lead the rebellion.

With them were two hundred and fifty men from almost every tribe in the nation of Israel. Talk about strange bedfellows! But when the word of the day is rebellion, you would be amazed at the people who will get together.

We've seen this right here in our own church. All of a sudden, "Who's talking to who? They don't even like each other!" Surprise, surprise; people who would hardly talk to one another and would have nothing to do with each other will come together on the basis of their mutual desire to resist the authority that G.o.d has placed over them. Rebellion does exist in every human heart.

Before we're too hard on the people here in Numbers 16, we need to look at ourselves. Are we guilty of the same att.i.tude? Keep in mind that by rebellion, rebellion, I do not mean ignorance (when I don't know and I need to be taught) nor discouragement (when I know, but I'm discouraged and I'm struggling). No, rebellion is knowing but not doing. Rebellion is not the pain of trying and failing and repenting and trying again. Rebellion is, "I won't-I know I should-but I won't! You can't make me!" I do not mean ignorance (when I don't know and I need to be taught) nor discouragement (when I know, but I'm discouraged and I'm struggling). No, rebellion is knowing but not doing. Rebellion is not the pain of trying and failing and repenting and trying again. Rebellion is, "I won't-I know I should-but I won't! You can't make me!"

Are those the thoughts behind your att.i.tude? Remember, rebellion is a lip-out, arms-folded, back-turned att.i.tude. "Don't look at me like that! Get away from me! I'm going to do what I want to do!" It's a choice. It's a pattern of thinking formed over a long period of time. Those who choose rebellion as their lifestyle will spend their lifetimes in the wilderness.

REBELLION GOES WAY BACK!.

A propensity to rebel thrives in every human heart. It's as old as the Garden of Eden. What did G.o.d say to the original couple? "Here's the whole world I've created and put under your care-99.9 percent of all of the things. Do what you want; only here's one thing you can't do." And what did they do? They rebelled. They did the one thing G.o.d commanded them not to do.

The book of Proverbs says, "Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child" "Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child" (22:15). Foolishness-rebelliousness-is bound up in our very being. It's part of our nature! There's a desire to go my own way. It's in the heart of every kid-each little baby who comes into the world. They sit in the nursery and you think everything is innocent perfection. All of a sudden, they get to age one or two and you see they have a will. They didn't learn it; it came from within. (22:15). Foolishness-rebelliousness-is bound up in our very being. It's part of our nature! There's a desire to go my own way. It's in the heart of every kid-each little baby who comes into the world. They sit in the nursery and you think everything is innocent perfection. All of a sudden, they get to age one or two and you see they have a will. They didn't learn it; it came from within.

Kathy and I received the grand tour at my brother Todd's new house during a recent visit. Kathy and I were being led by our two little nephews, Josh (eight) and Tanner (six). As we walked around the bas.e.m.e.nt, I complimented their house: "Oh, this is so nice, your new house," and "That iso nice." Later I said, "Oh! What's this door? I really like this door." I was pointing at a heavy door with a big deadbolt.

"That's the door that goes outside!" one of my nephews said. I said, "Oh, let's open it and see...""No, no! Dad doesn't want that door opened! Don't open that door!"

"Well, no problem," I said. "We won't open the door because Dad's the boss." I looked at them and asked, "Your dad's the boss, right?"

Then little Tanner said, "Yeah, he is, but we wish he wasn't!"

That's it, isn't it? We laughed about it. But do you know what? That is in every single human heart, the desire to rebel. You say, "Well, why? Where does it come from?"

The answer is found in our third biblical truth about rebellion: Rebellion has many sources.

You don't wake up in the morning and say, "I think I'll be a rebel today. I think I'm just going to be in everybody's face all day." Rebellion is where you end up. Other att.i.tudes push you to that place.

Notice that verse 3 begins, "They a.s.sembled together." "They a.s.sembled together." This was a conspiracy-an organized, well-thought-out coup. Allow me a brief word of caution here: Don't ever be the person who gets on the phone and pulls together the group. There is a huge accountability before G.o.d if you are the instigator and organizer of rebellion, as Korah was in this circ.u.mstance. This was a conspiracy-an organized, well-thought-out coup. Allow me a brief word of caution here: Don't ever be the person who gets on the phone and pulls together the group. There is a huge accountability before G.o.d if you are the instigator and organizer of rebellion, as Korah was in this circ.u.mstance.

Notice how they approached their leaders: "They a.s.sembled together against Moses and Aaron, and said to them, 'You have gone far enough, for all the congregation are holy, every one of them, and the Lord is in their midst; so why do you exalt yourselves above the a.s.sembly of the Lord?'" "They a.s.sembled together against Moses and Aaron, and said to them, 'You have gone far enough, for all the congregation are holy, every one of them, and the Lord is in their midst; so why do you exalt yourselves above the a.s.sembly of the Lord?'" (verse 3). This was Korah talking to Moses on behalf of his rebellious group. Look at Korah's half-truths,"...All the congregation are holy." True or false? Well, in the sense that all of them were set apart by G.o.d and belonged to Him and that each one had equal access to holiness, there's some truth to that. "And the Lord is in their midst." Is that not right that the Lord was with every one of His children? Sure, it is. Most rebellion is based upon half-truths. But then comes this last part, the accusation hidden in a question: "Why do you exalt yourselves above the a.s.sembly of the Lord?" There's the lie. Far from self-exalting, Moses was self-abasing. Moses was the guy who G.o.d had to basically knock down and drag into this role. Remember the burning bush in Exodus 2 and Moses' reluctance to lead? We've also learned in Numbers 12:3 that Moses was more humble than any man on the face of the earth. He was the guy saying, "I don't want this job. Does anyone else want it? Come on, you can have it." Moses did not exalt himself. (verse 3). This was Korah talking to Moses on behalf of his rebellious group. Look at Korah's half-truths,"...All the congregation are holy." True or false? Well, in the sense that all of them were set apart by G.o.d and belonged to Him and that each one had equal access to holiness, there's some truth to that. "And the Lord is in their midst." Is that not right that the Lord was with every one of His children? Sure, it is. Most rebellion is based upon half-truths. But then comes this last part, the accusation hidden in a question: "Why do you exalt yourselves above the a.s.sembly of the Lord?" There's the lie. Far from self-exalting, Moses was self-abasing. Moses was the guy who G.o.d had to basically knock down and drag into this role. Remember the burning bush in Exodus 2 and Moses' reluctance to lead? We've also learned in Numbers 12:3 that Moses was more humble than any man on the face of the earth. He was the guy saying, "I don't want this job. Does anyone else want it? Come on, you can have it." Moses did not exalt himself.

WE'RE ALL EQUAL ,BUT ...

If you don't know the whole story, it's easy to get carried away. After all, Moses was uniquely called by G.o.d, powerfully used by G.o.d, and clearly appointed by G.o.d. While these rebels were right in saying that they were equal with Moses on one level, they were wrong in what they meant. They confused equality with sameness. They a.s.sumed that their equality as children of Israel made them the same as Moses in every way. But equality does not equate to sameness. Moses was the ordained-by-G.o.d leader. They were not.

This principle is true in the body of Christ. Are we not all equal? We are all equal, but all are not the same. You are equal with your boss, but you are not the same as your boss. Wives are equal with their husbands, but they are not the same as their husbands. If we are students, we are equal with our teachers in our ponhood before G.o.d, but we are not the same as them. Similarly, we are equal as followers of Christ, but we are not the same as our elders. G.o.d appoints and places people over us. Some are leaders, and some are followers who should submit.

Korah and his little club were way off base on this one. They were equal with Moses, but they were not the same. To suggest that they were was rebellion.

SIX SOURCES OF REBELLION.

So where did their rebellion come from? There were six sources, and they can appear in our lives today. The first source of Korah's rebellion was jealousy. jealousy. It's so clear when they say, "Why do you exalt yourselves above the a.s.sembly of the Lord?" Like most rebellions, this one was about control. Korah and his agents wanted to be in authority over Moses or at least equal with him in authority. "I don't want to submit to you because you have a position that I think I should have." It's so clear when they say, "Why do you exalt yourselves above the a.s.sembly of the Lord?" Like most rebellions, this one was about control. Korah and his agents wanted to be in authority over Moses or at least equal with him in authority. "I don't want to submit to you because you have a position that I think I should have."

Several years ago, I had a lunch meeting with a man in our church. I sat down with him, just trying to encourage him and care for him. All of a sudden, he began a series of questions. "How come you you get to be the pastor at Harvest? How come get to be the pastor at Harvest? How come you you get to be in charge of such a cool church? I've known the Lord longer than you! I've been serving Christ longer than you! How come get to be in charge of such a cool church? I've known the Lord longer than you! I've been serving Christ longer than you! How come you you get to...?" get to...?"

His questions surprised me. In fact, I almost choked on my food. I thought, "Where did this come from?"

Well, a few months later, this person got bent-really upset-and injured a lot of people in his own version of "Korah's Rebellion." And I knew the entire time that the source problem was jealousy.

Whether it's in the home or in the marketplace or in the church, if you set your eyes upon those whom G.o.d has placed in authority over you and begin saying, " I I should be the one-that should be my place!" That's jealousy, one of the sources of rebellion. should be the one-that should be my place!" That's jealousy, one of the sources of rebellion.

Here's another source: delusions. delusions. Look at verse 4, Look at verse 4, "When Moses heard this, he fell on his face." "When Moses heard this, he fell on his face." Now if that's not a confirmation of the good-heartedness of Moses, I don't know what is. If he had lashed out and attacked the people who were rebelling against him, it would have been a confirmation that there was a big problem on his part. Instead, Moses humbled himself and got on his face before G.o.d. Clearly, Korah and his club had delusions of grandeur about Moses. How could they think Moses had any grand schemes? Notice Moses' response. He called up Korah and the others to a.s.semble the next day with the censers. Now if that's not a confirmation of the good-heartedness of Moses, I don't know what is. If he had lashed out and attacked the people who were rebelling against him, it would have been a confirmation that there was a big problem on his part. Instead, Moses humbled himself and got on his face before G.o.d. Clearly, Korah and his club had delusions of grandeur about Moses. How could they think Moses had any grand schemes? Notice Moses' response. He called up Korah and the others to a.s.semble the next day with the censers. "Then Moses said to Korah, 'Hear now, you sons of Levi'" "Then Moses said to Korah, 'Hear now, you sons of Levi'" (verse 8). He was saying, "Do you all think you want to do what I do? Do you all think you want this responsibility? You don't know what you're talking about!" They had said to him, "You've gone too far," in verse 3. Now he's like, "No, (verse 8). He was saying, "Do you all think you want to do what I do? Do you all think you want this responsibility? You don't know what you're talking about!" They had said to him, "You've gone too far," in verse 3. Now he's like, "No, you've you've gone too far!" gone too far!"

Moses was saying, in effect, "Do you think you want to be me? Well, let me just ask you: Where were you when I was forty years out in the wilderness? Where were you when I stood trembling before Pharaoh in Egypt? Where were you when all the ten plagues were going on? Where were you when the Egyptian armies were coming behind us, and I held out my arm to cross the Red Sea? Where were you when I was up trembling before G.o.d on a mountain for how many days and bringing down the Ten Commandments? And now now you want my job?" you want my job?"

A rebellious att.i.tude is sometimes rooted in not seeing ourselves clearly.

Often people desire a position, but they don't respect the process. They want the opportunity, but they don't realize the work and energy that's gone into getting to thatplace. They covet the results without recognizing the requirements. You don't roll out of bed some morning and become a leader in any sphere in society. Leaders.h.i.+p requires a lot of work and a lot of apprentices.h.i.+p. There's a lot of brokenness and a lot of trying, failing, and trying again.

Before you set your sights on your boss's job or your husband's job or your teacher's job, and before you have some coldhearted cynical att.i.tude toward the police officers in your area, consider the real picture. Today's police officer, for example, gets no respect, no appreciation, and certainly no pay compared to the risk that goes with the job. I thank G.o.d for the men in our church who do this work. And G.o.d forgive us for our rebellious att.i.tudes toward people that He's placed in authority. You don't get to those places easily. Those who covet the positions of others are often, in my experience, a little bit delusional, not really recognizing all that they involve. So Moses said, "You've gone far enough." Sometimes you have to stand up to a rebellious person and say, "Do you know what? Enough is enough! You're jealous, you've got delusions, and you're downright rebellious."

A third source of rebellion is ungratefulness. ungratefulness. In verse 9, Moses said, In verse 9, Moses said, "Is it not enough for you that the G.o.d of Israel has separated you from the rest of the congregation of Israel, to bring you near to Himself, to do the service of the tabernacle of the Lord, and to stand before the congregation . . . ?" "Is it not enough for you that the G.o.d of Israel has separated you from the rest of the congregation of Israel, to bring you near to Himself, to do the service of the tabernacle of the Lord, and to stand before the congregation . . . ?" What a privilege and opportunity! Korah was serving in the tabernacle. He had a job as one of the special separated ministers. Yet he wasn't grateful for this special position as a Levite. Why? He just didn't think he had a big enough job. What a privilege and opportunity! Korah was serving in the tabernacle. He had a job as one of the special separated ministers. Yet he wasn't grateful for this special position as a Levite. Why? He just didn't think he had a big enough job.

He wasn't getting to do as much as he wanted wanted to do. to do.

Moses continued: "...and that He has brought you near,Korah, and all your brothers, sons of Levi, with you? And are you seeking for the priesthood also?" "...and that He has brought you near,Korah, and all your brothers, sons of Levi, with you? And are you seeking for the priesthood also?" (verse 10). Moses was saying, "Isn't this enough for you? Do you want to be a priest too?" (verse 10). Moses was saying, "Isn't this enough for you? Do you want to be a priest too?"

If you have a position of authority, don't ever forget that first of all it comes from G.o.d. The Scriptures tell us that promotion doesn't come from the east or the west. G.o.d is the Judge, the One who sets up one person and puts down another (see Psalm 75:67). Second, if you have a position, it came from G.o.d but it came through people. People allow people to function in positions of authority. Don't ever forget that a position of authority is a trust, given by people in the church, in the home, in the marketplace. If you start to think that you deserve it, or can demand it, then you have forgotten how you got there. And you're ungrateful. That's a source of rebellion.

Another root of rebellion can be found in verse 12: stubbornness. Stubbornness Stubbornness fuels rebellion. fuels rebellion. "Then Moses sent a summons to Dathan and Abiram, the sons of Eliab; but they said, 'We will not come up.'" "Then Moses sent a summons to Dathan and Abiram, the sons of Eliab; but they said, 'We will not come up.'"

Notice this amazing audacity. The ruler of two million people sends for these two mo-jos, and they're like, "We're not coming!" Very few people would identify themselves as rebellious, but let me ask you: Are you hard to agree with?

Are you hard to reconcile with? If someone injures you, is it hard for them to get that worked out? Is it easy to lead you or is it hard to lead you? Are you an easy person to influence? Do you have a flexible spirit? If you have prided yourself on, "I'm stubborn. I don't-", that's not good. You have a rebellious heart.

"Well, my mom told me that's a strength." Sorry about your mom's confusion, but stubbornness is a weakness. It will hurt yout came thr't confuse strength of character with stubbornness-they're not the same. Stubbornness will definitely take you a long way, but you'd better bring some food and water, because the road of stubbornness leads to the wilderness.

Disappointment is the fifth source of rebellion. Verse 13 reveals this aspect of the rebellion, is the fifth source of rebellion. Verse 13 reveals this aspect of the rebellion, "'Is it not enough that you have brought us up out of a land flowing with milk and honey ...?'" "'Is it not enough that you have brought us up out of a land flowing with milk and honey ...?'" Their twisted view is laughable! Look at how they describe Egypt. How would you respond? Moses could have correctly responded, "But you were slaves! You made Their twisted view is laughable! Look at how they describe Egypt. How would you respond? Moses could have correctly responded, "But you were slaves! You made bricks bricks in Egypt! You've hardly been gone a year but you forget what you were!" in Egypt! You've hardly been gone a year but you forget what you were!"

Notice how rebellion distorts the picture and leads to accusations. "'Is it not enough that you have brought us up out of a land flowing with milk and honey to have us die in the wilderness, but you would also lord it over us? Indeed, you have not brought us into a land flowing with milk and honey, nor have you given us an inheritance of fields and vineyards'" "'Is it not enough that you have brought us up out of a land flowing with milk and honey to have us die in the wilderness, but you would also lord it over us? Indeed, you have not brought us into a land flowing with milk and honey, nor have you given us an inheritance of fields and vineyards'" (verses 1314). Do you see what's going on here? They are expressing disappointment. Now what the rebellious person feels is real. It's not right, but it's real. What happened? (verses 1314). Do you see what's going on here? They are expressing disappointment. Now what the rebellious person feels is real. It's not right, but it's real. What happened?

They were disappointed, and disappointment often leads to rebellion.

Maybe there has been a church leader in your life who didn't live up to some of what he professed, and the person disappointed you. Have you used that as an occasion to rebel? It's wrong (both what he did and how you have responded)! Or maybe your boss has done some dishonest things. Now you've disqualified him and have said, "I don't have to be under his authority. I don't have to respect him because he did some things that aren't right." You're wrong. G.o.d has placed you there, and you need to find G.o.d's purpose in that place. As long as the person is not asking you to sin, you need to find a way to be under that authority.

I wonder how many wives I speak to each week whose husbands have disappointed them so that they think, "Well, I don't have to live under his authority." No, they're wrong. I know there are children who say, "Well, my parents aren't perfect. I know their inconsistencies, so I'm going to do what I want." All those are very bad decisions. Disappointment with others is one of the things that fuels rebellion.

Here's the final source of rebellion: distrust. distrust. Notice what verse 14 says: Notice what verse 14 says: "'Would you put out the eyes of these men? We will not come up!'" "'Would you put out the eyes of these men? We will not come up!'" When Moses told Dathan and Abiram, "You all get up here," they said as part of their answer, "Would you put out the eyes of these men also?" They're saying, "Hey, do you know what, Moses? The only people who really support your leaders.h.i.+p-they're blind. They are a bunch of yes-men. The only people who can really support you are the people who you've duped into blindness. They don't see your faults. But we see them, Moses! We know what you want to do. You want us to come up there and meet with you, so you can brainwash us like you have the others." So the way they say it is, "You're going to poke out our eyes,too." When Moses told Dathan and Abiram, "You all get up here," they said as part of their answer, "Would you put out the eyes of these men also?" They're saying, "Hey, do you know what, Moses? The only people who really support your leaders.h.i.+p-they're blind. They are a bunch of yes-men. The only people who can really support you are the people who you've duped into blindness. They don't see your faults. But we see them, Moses! We know what you want to do. You want us to come up there and meet with you, so you can brainwash us like you have the others." So the way they say it is, "You're going to poke out our eyes,too."

Wow, how distorted can you get? They distrust Moses-his judgment and his supporters.

The headlines of the daily news might have read: Moses Not Perfect, But G.o.d On His Side.

Of course, Moses may not have been perfect. But wait 'til you see how G.o.d feels about the critics' att.i.tude. Korah's group felt like Moses had disappointed them and let them down. So they built up a lot of things in their minds, and they decided, "We're not trusting you anymore, Moses." Once they stopped trusting him, once they stopped believing in Moses' heart despite his weaknesses, whatever they were, once trust was gone, rebellion was on the way. There is a fourth biblical truth about rebellion in this pa.s.sage: Rebellion has many consequences.

At least four consequences await those who rebel, according to this portion of G.o.d's Word. After Moses told Korah and his company to meet with Aaron and him the next day with censers, the rebels returned to learn of G.o.d's displeasure and the consequences of their murmuring.

And the glory of the Lord appeared to all the congregation. Then the Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron, saying, "Separate yourselves [there's the first consequence] from among this congregation, that I may consume them instantly." But they fell on their faces and said, "O G.o.d, G.o.d of the spirits of all flesh, when one man sins, will You be angry with the entire congregation?" (verses 1922) And the glory of the Lord appeared to all the congregation. Then the Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron, saying, "Separate yourselves [there's the first consequence] from among this congregation, that I may consume them instantly." But they fell on their faces and said, "O G.o.d, G.o.d of the spirits of all flesh, when one man sins, will You be angry with the entire congregation?" (verses 1922) G.o.d's impending judgment is just, yet the compa.s.sionate Moses pleads with G.o.d on behalf of the people. And G.o.d showed mercy. "Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, 'Speak to the congregation, saying, "Get back from around the dwellings of Korah, Dathan and Abiram"'" "Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, 'Speak to the congregation, saying, "Get back from around the dwellings of Korah, Dathan and Abiram"'" (verses 2324). Get back from around their dwellings. It's too late to change att.i.tudes; G.o.d is about to judge. (verses 2324). Get back from around their dwellings. It's too late to change att.i.tudes; G.o.d is about to judge.