Every State For Israel

This week’s Torah portion covers Numbers 16:1–18:32. In Numbers 16, a group of leaders in Israel revolted against Moses and Aaron. However, they did so to seek for more power and higher status than they already held as Levites and leaders of Israel (Numbers 16:2,10).

The leaders accuse Moses and Aaron: “You have gone far enough . . . why do you exalt yourselves above the assembly of the Lord?” (v.3). Moses senses their motives and says, “Is it not enough for you that the God 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 to minister to them; 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?” (v.9–11). Moses points out that they are deceitfully seeking for more power even though the Lord had already given them a privileged position in service of the tabernacle.

God later causes the insurrecting leaders to be swallowed by the earth (v.31–33)! This seems extremely harsh; however, not only did this group create strife to seize power, but also, they were already leaders in Israel. This group were “sons of Levi” and “two hundred and fifty leaders of the congregation” (v.2,10). Leaders in the faith are judged more harshly (James 3:1) as they can lead others astray when they abuse the power they hold (Matthew 18:6). These leaders would otherwise have abused their power and led Israel even further astray.

This chapter acts not only as a warning against selfishly pursuing power, but also as an opposite example of biblical leadership. Jesus’s example teaches us that to be a godly leader is to be a servant: “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great men exercise authority over them. It is not this way among you, but whoever wishes to be great among you shall be your servant . . . just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many” (Matthew 20:25–28).

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