Today, I was looking at verses that speak of who YAHUAH is, and I saw this verse which prompted this writing. The verse is Numbers 14:42:
Go not up, for YAHUA H is not among you; that ye be not smitten before your enemies.
Moses spoke these words to the Children of Israel in the wilderness after their refusal to believe and trust YAHUAH. Two chapters later Korah rebelled:
Now Korah, the son of Izhar, the son of Kohath, the son of Levi, and Dathan and Abiram, the sons of Eliab, and On, the son of Peleth, sons of Reuben, took men: And they rose up before Moses, with certain of the children of Israel, two hundred and fifty princes of the assembly, famous in the congregation, men of renown: And they gathered themselves together against Moses and against Aaron, and said unto them, Ye take too much upon you, seeing all the congregation are holy, every one of them, and YAHUAH is among them: wherefore then lift ye up yourselves above the congregation of YAHUAH?
Numbers 16:1-3
Motives
As we read this, we must ask ourselves what was Korah’s motive? The answer lies in previous dissatisfactions during Israel’s journey. On several occasions, they wanted to return to Egypt. Numbers 14:4 is one of those times:
And they said one to another, Let us heep to ourselves teachers, having itching ears…
Oops, that’s not Numbers 14:4! That is Numbers 14:4 and 2 Timothy 4:3 mixed. Here is Numbers 14:4:
And they said one to another, Let us make a captain, and let us return into Egypt.
Numbers 14:4
The timing of Korah’s rebellion against Moses did not occur coincidentally after the report of the 10 spies. Korah could possibly have planned to be the captain who would have attempted to lead the people back to Egypt.
No Options
Let’s pause and think about this. Israel could not go forward into the Promised Land because YAHUAH Elohim would not have gone with them. They tried anyway and failed miserably (Num. 14:39-45). They loathed to remain in the wilderness . Therefore, their only other option was to return to Egypt which was strictly forbidden by YAH.
And it came to pass, when Pharaoh had let the people go, that Elohim led them not through the way of the land of the Philistines, although that was near; for Elohim said, Lest peradventure the people repent when they see war, and they return to Egypt:
Exodus 13:17
Concerning kings of Israel…
But he shall not multiply horses to himself, nor cause the people to return to Egypt, to the end that he should multiply horses: forasmuch as YAHUAH hath said unto you, Ye shall henceforth return no more that way.
Deuteronomy 17:16
Going Back to Normal
The people longed for their “normal” lives in Egypt as they lusted for the melons, leeks, garlic, onions, and the meat that they so craved (Num. 11:5). Korah quite possibly could have been their secretly appointed or self-appointed captain to lead them in a reverse exodus. However, he knew that Moses would have vehemently opposed his plan. Therefore, he tried to eliminate his biggest obstacle.
Korah’s attack on Aaron was a mere steppingstone on his road to elevation. He would not have been satisfied had he succeeded. As with all usurpers, he would have made a grab for more power and would have ultimately sought to depose Moses.
And Moses said unto Korah, Hear, I pray you, ye sons of Levi: Seemeth it but a small thing unto you, that the Elohim of Israel hath separated you from the congregation of Israel, to bring you near to himself to do the service of the tabernacle of YAHUAH, and to stand before the congregation to minister unto them? And he hath brought thee near to him, and all thy brethren the sons of Levi with thee: and seek ye the priesthood also? For which cause both thou and all thy company are gathered together against YAHUAH: and what is Aaron, that ye murmur against him?
Numbers 16:8-11
It Worked Before
This is much like the strategy of the serpent in the Garden. Adam and Eve were just the means to get at YAHUAH. Remember, he coveted to be like the Most High
For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of El: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High.
Isaiah 14:13-14
Success against Aaron would have cast a shadow of doubt about Moses’ position as Elohim’s man. Again, this is the method used on Eve in the garden. He caused Eve to doubt the goodness of her Creator.
…And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath Elohim said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?
Genesis 3:1
And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die: For Elohim doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.
Genesis 3:4-5
Tiny seeds of doubt cast upon the mind do indeed germinate. Such horticulture of lies eventually grows into blooming mistrust if not uprooted and replaced with Truth.
However, Korah’s darkened mind caused him to overlook the Elohim who chose Moses. He grossly overstepped his bounds because he failed to discern the One who confirmed Moses’ leadership.
And Moses said, Hereby ye shall know that YAHUAH hath sent me to do all these works; for I have not done them of mine own mind.
Numbers 16:28
YAH’s Man
The Children of Israel were to follow Moses, not Korah! Additionally, the Children of Israel were to possess Canaan, and not ever return to Egypt.
Egypt is for Gentiles. Torah-pursuant followers of Messiah (aka House of Israel) are no longer seen as Gentiles in the eyes of the Almighty and therefore should not want anything to do with Egypt (representative of the world) and its trappings (literal entrapments).
We see the fate of Korah in Numbers 16:32-33:
And the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed them up, and their houses, and all the men that appertained unto Korah, and all their goods. They, and all that appertained to them, went down alive into the pit, and the earth closed upon them: and they perished from among the congregation.
Numbers 16:32-33
Yet, if Korah perished in the wilderness, why do we continue to see many religious individuals wallowing in Egyptian worldliness? There are often no perceptible differences between those who claim religion and those who adhere to none. We must ask ourselves, how has this happened?
Is Korah Still Alive?
To arrive at Truth concerning this, we also must acknowledge that the method of Korah did not die on the day described in Numbers 16. The book of Jude shows his way at work in the early assemblies or congregations:
Woe unto them! for they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward, and perished in the gainsaying of Core. (emphasis added)
Jude 1:11
This spirit has continued to influence the religious who are either content to remain in Egypt or nostalgic to return there. Countless souls have been led astray through silly sermons (Scripturally deficient), tepid theology (greasy grace), hierarchical master-slave religion (clergy vs. laymen), and covert covetousness (name it/claim it; blab it/grab it gospel).
All Have Sinned
Please know that I have not written these words from the perspective of one who has arrived:
For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of Elohim;
Romans 3:23
However, there is a difference between sinning and abiding in sin.
How Has This Happened
How, you ask, have the Korah’s of religion deceived so, so many? The answer lies in the prophetic words of Moses:
YAHUAH thy Elohim will raise up unto thee a Prophet from the midst of thee, of thy brethren, like unto me; unto him ye shall hearken;
Deuteronomy 18:15
YAHUSHA Messiah, the one like unto Moses, has already come. However, the Korah’s over the centuries have worked to marginalize Him in the minds of the religious. In doing this, these Korah-inspired usurpers of Truth have not deviated from the way of the first Korah.
However, unlike their predecessor who failed in the wilderness, subsequent Korah’s have successfully steered the oxymoronic, “worldly saints,” away from the straight and narrow way.
They have done this by attacking the doctrine and identity of the Messiah and the written Word of YAH. The atoning blood of YAHUSHA Messiah; the blood of the one like unto Moses, is not emphasized or it is even deemphasized.
They have held the Truth of YAHUAH in unrighteousness (Rom. 1:18). People have not been told of their identity in Messiah which causes them to latch onto the identity that Egypt (the world) offers. Rather than walking in the Faith once delivered to the saints, people are left with “I think,” “I feel,” “I don’t need to read the Bible for myself because Pastor tells me what I need to know,” and “that’s not what it means to me” Faith.
Korah’s and their feelings-based doctrine have led people straight to the shackles of Egypt and her taskmaster, sin.
Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?
Romans 6:16
Leek Leaves
When uncovered in such a way, many have been left to seek the leek leaves of Egypt (the world) which promotes assimilation and not sanctification (separation from worldliness).
They have been stripped of Truth and thus their royal priestly garments of righteousness.
YAHUSHA saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
John 14:6
Truth and Righteousness
What is the implication for righteousness when Truth is not preached and taught? Here are a few verses that highlight the connection between Truth and righteousness:
A Psalm of David. YAHUAH, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? who shall dwell in thy holy hill? He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart. Psalms 15:1-2
Truth shall spring out of the earth; and righteousness shall look down from heaven. Psalms 85:11
Before YAHUAH: for he cometh, for he cometh to judge the earth: he shall judge the world with righteousness, and the people with his truth. Psalms 96:13
Thy righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, and thy law is the truth. Psalms 119:142
He that speaketh truth sheweth forth righteousness: but a false witness deceit. Proverbs 12:17
And I will bring them, and they shall dwell in the midst of Jerusalem: and they shall be my people, and I will be their Elohim, in truth and in righteousness. Zechariah 8:8
(For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;) Ephesians 5:9
Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; Ephesians 6:14
Obfuscation
Obfuscated Truth creates a void that causes many to no longer see the need for the one like unto Moses, the Savior, YAHUSHA. Thus, making room for the destructive spirit of Korah working through false shepherds. Religious flocks are being led to sin’s slaughter.
For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of Elohim is eternal life through YAHUSHA Messiah our Master. Romans 6:23
People naturally do what is right in their own eyes when the true doctrine of the Messiah is not taught. Feelings replace the fortitude of Faith. The dangers of assimilating with Egypt (worldliness) are downplayed under Korahite leadership.
Cravings
Since all flesh craves the worldly pleasures of Egypt, the carnally minded continue to eagerly allow themselves to be led by the spirit of Korah. However, YAHUAH does not go with the gullible in their rebellion. The result of His withdrawing His presence is the same as for Israel in Numbers 14. Defeat is inevitable when YAHUAH withdraws His presence.
Go not up, for YAHUAH is not among you; that ye be not smitten before your enemies. For the Amalekites and the Canaanites are there before you, and ye shall fall by the sword: because ye are turned away from YAHUAH, therefore YAHUAH will not be with you. But they presumed to go up unto the hill top: nevertheless the ark of the covenant of YAHUAH, and Moses, departed not out of the camp. Then the Amalekites came down, and the Canaanites which dwelt in that hill, and smote them, and discomfited them, even unto Hormah. Numbers 14:42-45
Where Are the Many Now?
This is precisely where many find themselves today. Rather than realizing the power and promises of YAH, they and their posterity (children and children’s children) religiously trudge toward temples of acquiescence to ecumenical defeat. They eagerly choose assimilation in exchange for the pleasure of Egypt.
Now, we know that Messiah will come again to receive his Bride (the House of Israel) unto himself.
Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. Revelation 19:7
Will We Be Ready?
The questions then become: Will we be ready? And How do we go about being ready for Messiah’s return?
One major way to be ready is to develop a love of Truth. When we hear and hearken to Truth found in YAH’s Word, we are inoculated against Korah-inspired, Egyptian pipe dreams.
This also results in our awareness of the need to repent and to lead a repentant lifestyle. To truly repent literally means to turn from that which we repent of. We not only hear Truth, but we also do that which is True. Doing Truth enables us to steer clear of the Korah’s of religion.
As the people were told to do in Numbers 16: 24, 26, we want to stay as far away from those operating in the spirit of Korah as possible.
Speak unto the congregation, saying, Get you up from about the tabernacle of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram. And Moses rose up and went unto Dathan and Abiram; and the elders of Israel followed him. And he spake unto the congregation, saying, Depart, I pray you, from the tents of these wicked men, and touch nothing of theirs, lest ye be consumed in all their sins. Numbers 16:24-26
Is YAHUAH Pleased?
As with the first Korah, YAHUAH is not pleased with the Korah’s of religion. These gatekeepers against Truth are deceivers of sincere seekers of Truth. However, many are waking up and are separating from them. Sadly, many others continue to believe the gainsaying of Korah.
Beloved, this is the day and time for all of us to separate from the religious tents (tenants) of the Korah’s. Who knows when and how YAHUAH will supernaturally deal with them? Let’s not get caught up in their PIT-falls of judgment from the Creator.
Stay sober; stay vigilant
1 Peter 5:8
