Title: A Call for Separation

Read: Numbers 16:1-40

Scripture Reading: Numbers 16:26

“And he spoke to the congregation, saying, “Depart now from the tents of these wicked men! Touch nothing of theirs, lest you be consumed in all their sins.”

Main idea: God warns people to keep distance from those with the spirit of rebellion. Attempt to override God’s authority will meet with his judgment.

Numbers chapter 16 describes a major rebellion against the legitimate priesthood, and then the Lord’s certification of the Aaronic priesthood as the sole functioning priesthood in Israel. The attempt to overthrow Moses and Aaron was the most serious on record in this chapter, as was the judgment inflicted on the rebels.

Korah, a relative of Aaron (Ex. 6:18-21), was a Levite but not a priest. He apparently resented the fact that the family of Aaron should have exclusive right to the priesthood. Dathan, Abiram, and On were of the tribe of Reuben, and they resented Moses’ leadership over them as well. Two hundred and fifty of the leaders of Israel—joined in the rebellion against the priesthood and the civil authority (Num. 16:2). They argued that all the people were holy and should not be excluded from offering sacrifices (Num. 16:3).

God warned the people to depart from the tents of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram. Then the earth opened up and swallowed those evil men and their households, and fire from God destroyed the 250 would-be priests (Num. 11:1-3; Lev. 10:1-7). God made it very clear that the people were to accept their God chosen leaders and respect their authority. It’s a dangerous thing for people to challenge God’s order and promote themselves to become leaders. In that they rebelled against the Lord (Num. 16:11).

“Never follow a leader until you see the anointing oil on his head.” (A. W. Tozer, 1897-1963)

Certain times in history, God has shown His extreme displeasure at certain sins by judging them instantly. He judged Sodom and Gomorrah (Gen. 19:24, 25); God judged Nadab and Abihu (Lev. 10:1, 2); Mose’s sister Miriam (Num. 12:10); Korah, Dathan, and Abiram, plus 250 leaders (Num 16); in the New Testament Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5:5, 10). He does not do this every time these sins are committed, but He does break in on history on selected occasions as a warning to future generations.

With judgment coming, Moses warned the children of Israel to separate from the tents of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram. Thus, our verse (Num 16:26) gives us a lesson on separation. From our verse we note three things, the order for separation, the area of separation, and the escape by separation.

(1) Order for separation.
“Depart now from the tents of these wicked men!” Throughout Scripture, God commands separation from evil. Here the command comes with an earnest appeal “Depart now” to emphasize the importance of separation from evil. There are places of sin (in this case, tents of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram) people (rebelling against God’s will) from which we need to separate.

(2) Area of separation.
“Touch nothing of theirs.”  Paul says in 2 Corinthians 6:17, Therefore “Come out from among them And be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, And I will receive you.” Some will call that extremism, but God knows what He is commanding here. He knows that if we touch we will soon handle and then eventually embrace. Oppose it early before it gets a grip on you. Many have gotten in trouble morally because they began touching. It is not only the tents but the touching from which we need to separate.

(3) Escape by separation.
“lest you be consumed in all their sins.” Peter said in Acts 2:40, “Be saved from this perverse generation.” Separation saves us from judgment. Worldliness brings peril; separation brings preservation. Being separate means that we shouldn’t have fellowship with darkness, but we should be a witness to all. God requires full allegiance from his covenant people and therefore instructs them to strive for purity. As he is holy, so he expects his people to be holy (Lev. 11:44-45; 19:2; 20:7; 1 Peter 1:15-16).

Application
When Jude wrote about false teachers, he used Korah as an example, associating him with Cain and Balaam (Jude 11). The word gainsaying means “to say against, to oppose in word and deed, to rebel.” In Acts 20:28-31, Paul warned about proud people who would seek to seize authority in the local church and promote themselves.

The serious offences described in Numbers chapter 16 illustrate the sinister effects of sin. The four dimensions of this offence continue to be relevant in our not-so-different world: disobedience, discontent, disloyalty and disruption. Korah, Dathan, and Abiram thought they were right, but what they failed to factor in to the equation was God’s sovereignty. It’s not up to us to pull people down or lift people up. It’s a great day when a person finally realizes that because God is on the throne and is in control, he can simply say, “Lord, You’re the One who will raise up one and put down another. A warning was issued for people to keep distance from those with the spirit of rebellion—an equally important message today.

I leave you today with these words taken from Psalm 75:6-7 “For exaltation comes neither from the east Nor from the west nor from the south. But God is the Judge: He puts down one, And exalts another.”

Let’s pray together
Heavenly Father, I thank you that You are Sovereign and in control. You put down one and exalt another. Help me Lord to wait on you patently and faithfully and in due time You will exalt me. In Jesus Name Amen.