Do You Have a Complaint Against God?

Korah, Dathan and Abiram challenged Moses’ leadership. They were instructed to take firepans and put incense in them and bring them before the Lord. They, along with 250 of their supporters, did so. Moses then declared that if they died a natural death, the Lord had not chosen him. Yet, if the earth opened up and swallowed them, then Moses was God’s chosen.

God caused the earth to open up and swallow Korah, Dathan and Abiram and their families with all their possessions. Then fire from heaven destroyed their 250 supporters. Aaron’s son was then instructed to collect the censers (firepans for incense) and hammer them into sheets “for a plating of the altar, since they did present them before the Lord and they are holy.” The plating on the altar was declared a sign.

Think about the symbolism. Whenever the plating on the altar was seen, it carried a message. I want to share some things we can learn from this event, all of which would have been represented in the censers that were hammered into sheets for a covering for the altar.

First, things that are presented to God belong to God, even if ungodly men present them.

Second, the censers that were made into plating were held by men who risked their lives for what they believed. However, the thing they believed was wrong. So they forfeited their lives for a false belief, for nothing.

Third, it is unwise to challenge those whom the Lord has chosen. Though Moses was a reluctant leader, he was God’s choice, and he knew God had chosen him. So, when God chooses someone, man should accept it and not challenge God, even if he does not agree or understand.

Fourth, the 250 men did not merely lose their lives; their loss was far greater.

As for the censers of these men who have sinned at the cost of their lives, let them be made into hammered sheets….

—Numbers 16:38

The word lives in the verse above is literally souls. It is not that their sin resulted only in their bodies dying on that day; they lost their souls, the very essence of their being.

The soul is that aspect of the human being that has intent, will and desire. It is the part of one’s being that makes choices and that comes to know and understand things based on personal experience. It is that unique aspect of your being that makes YOU who you are.

By choosing to follow Korah, Dathan and Abiram, the 250 souls placed their entire beings into the hands of the three men they followed. They trusted in their leadership and in their perception of justice. Their point of failure is contrasted by the actions of Moses.

Do this: take censers for yourselves, Korah and all your company and put fire in them and lay incense upon them in the presence of the Lord tomorrow; and the man whom the Lord chooses shall be the one who is holy. 

—Numbers 16:6-7

Moses relied on God to answer the question. Instead of challenging leadership, Korah and those who made their stand with him should have consulted God. They were not merely jealous of Moses; they didn’t like God’s choice.

Leadership in God’s church is by God’s design. It does not mirror leadership in the secular world. Moses was not a perfect leader, but he was God’s choice. So are elders in the church today.

What do you think is the best way to handle your complaint against God and His design?

Mark Stinnett

May 2, 2021