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

Are Church Elders 'Rulers'?

If I were to answer the title question in a word, “Are church elders rulers?” I would have to say, “Yes," . . . and . . . "No.”

I would say, “Yes,” because some elders have positioned themselves as rulers over God’s church. Yet, I would answer, “No,” since that is not God’s expectation.

I am reflecting on statements from Hebrews 13 in which the author mentions church leaders three times (verses 7, 17, and 24). In most modern translations we read the word leader, but in a couple of translations the word ruler is used. The Hebrew writer instructs Christians...

Obey your leaders (rulers) and submit to them, for they keep watch over your souls as those who will give an account. 
--Hebrews 13:17

The word ruler is a valid translation choice, but it can be misleading since it carries a wide range of meaning. In addition, there are several Greek terms that are translated ruler, the most common meaning: One who holds a position of authority to govern as well as to create and execute laws (rules). This word describes Jewish rulers in Luke 23:13; governing authorities in Romans 13:3; and rulers of this age in Romans 6:12.

A different word is used in Hebrews 13. Instead of emphasizing authority, it emphasizes leadership. So, again, the word ruler is accurate, but potentially misleading to today’s English reader.

In addition, the companion words obey and submit in Hebrews 13:17 both carry the idea of yielding to or giving in to. The overall picture is one of trust and cooperation. This combination of words reminds me of the Apostle Paul’s appeal to Philemon regarding his runaway slave, Onesimus.

Paul was sending Onesimus back to Philemon, but with a request that Philemon would voluntarily release Onesimus from slavery. 

But without your consent I did not want to do anything, so that your goodness would not be, in effect by compulsion but of your own free will. 
--Philemon 1:14

The Hebrew writer instructed his readers to “yield to” their leaders who “keep watch over your souls.” It is fitting that he continued:

Let them do this with joy and not with grief, for this would be unprofitable for you. 
--Hebrews 13:17

So, are church elders rulers?

Certainly NOT like kings or government officials. They do not even have the same level of authority as parents in the home. Rather, they rule as leaders, like shepherds. They might stand in front and ask the flock to follow where they go or ask the flock to follow their example. They might stand among the flock to encourage, settle disagreements, and calm fears; or they might stand behind the flock to motivate them to move forward.

Christians are to obey and submit, that is, to yield to their elders, not because elders hold a position of authority over them, but because elders are watching over their souls. Instead of a picture of an elder barking orders and enforcing rules, the Bible has elders pleading lovingly and Christians yielding to their appeals.

Authoritarian ruler-ship with the expectation of blind obedience can easily foster attitudes of resistance or even rebellion. Yet, even a strong appeal from a loving leader promotes cooperation and a heart willing to yield. Church elders rule, but only as shepherding leaders.

Mark Stinnett