Numbers 16 – A father action does affect the family

Since Dathan and Abiram would not come to Moses, he went to them followed by the elders of Israel. Sternly, he told the congregation to separate themselves from the tents of these wicked rebels. Here Moses referred to Korah, Dathan, and Abiram as “wicked men.” The people were told not to touch any of their belongings so that they would not be judged along with the sin of these wicked men. What they had done was indeed sinful. They had rebelled against the Lord. Those who dissociated themselves from these wicked men would live. Whereas those who would identify with them would be judged with them and die.  

As the people moved away from the tents of these wicked rebels, Dathan and Abiram emerged from their tents together with their whole family, their wives, their sons, and their little ones, and stood at the entrances of their tents.  Moses then gravely announced the death sentence of these rebels and their families. He told them that the earth would open up, and swallow them and their wives, their sons, and their little ones. And that was exactly what happened. Furthermore, fire came down upon the 250 men of Korah’s group who were offering the incense, and consumed them. God refused to be disrespected. Anyone who chose to go against Him would be dealt with swiftly and appropriately. This is a warning for us not to show contempt for the Lord. We must never have any careless disregard for Him.

One important lesson to be gleaned from what happened to Korah, Dathan, and Abiram and their families, is this: being the head of the home is serious business. A father must lead his family in the right direction. Whatever the head of the family does, can have serious repercussions for his household. In God, there is such a thing as covenant responsibility. Whatever direction, whether it would be the way to life or the route to destruction, is often framed by the head of the house. Fatherhood is a serious assignment, do not take the role lightly. What a father does sets the pace for the home. So fathers, let us be true to God. Be righteous in our ways, and be responsible in our roles. May all the fathers of homes boldly declare like Joshua, “…as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord!”