Numbers 16:36-40 – Leadership is serious business.

The opening up of the ground to swallow up Korah, Dathan, and Abiram were to disprove that these rebels were capable of the roles they aspired to. The fire that came to consume the censers of the 250 Levites was to disprove the Kohathites' claim to be material for the priesthood. According to Korah, he and those rebelling Levites were also holy and could have access to the LORD.  That claim was put to the test, and they were proven to be false. They should have known better that they were not consecrated as priests and did not have the right to approach God on the people’s behalf. What they did was an attempt that had desecrated the priesthood.

God ordered that the bronze censers they used to be beaten into plates. Eleazar, the priest who was assigned to take charge of the Kohathites, was given the assignment. Those plates were used to cover the altar of burnt offerings for one purpose. It was to be a warning that those not appointed and consecrated as priests could not approach God safely. It was meant to be a permanent reminder that the priesthood had been assigned to Aaron and his sons.  And that no layman could approach to burn incense to the LORD.  

What happened leads us to only one conclusion. That the charge against Moses and Aaron, brought by Korah, Dathan, Abiram, and all who stood with them, was false. Moses and Aaron’s roles were God-appointed. They did not appoint themselves to the roles. Aaron was appointed as a priest to serve the people and not to lord it over them. He was called to the role of mediator and not master. Moses’ leadership was not self-appointed as well.  He was ordained of God. As the leader, he had shown great tenderness instead of the toughness he could deploy. The numerous times he pled with the Lord on the people’s behalf, when they had angered the LORD, attested to his tenderness.   

Let us close what happened in Numbers 16 with lessons for today’s leaders and members of God’s new community. It is needful for leaders to know that the office they hold does not mean that they are holier than the members. It simply means as leaders they have greater responsibility. It also means that as leaders they should look at opportunities to influence the people and encourage them toward godliness. However, it must be said that when a leader falls, he would be called into greater accountability. Hence, he should do his best to remain faithful to God. For the members, the call is to respect the leaders and be gentle and considerate toward them. They had a crucial task of nurturing every member to present them mature before the LORD. The members' cooperation and consideration would make the leaders’ role less burdensome. Do not try to find fault with the leaders. But being understanding and forbearing toward them would be more beneficial and would help to ease their already formidable tasks. Leaders and members must collaborate for the glory of God!