Respecting Authority

Parsha:  Korach  “Corah”
Torah: B’midbar (Numbers) 16:1 – 18:32

Most Believers believe that the Scriptures aren’t presented in chronological order.  In last week’s parsha, approximately two million people were sentenced to death because of the rebellion spurred on by the negative report of ten spies.

Korach and his friends would think twice about trying to take over Moshe and Aharon’s positions so quickly after the tremendous penalty given to last week’s rebels. 

Here is the opening incident:

1 Now Korach, the son of Izhar, the son of Kohath, the son of Levi, and Dathan and Aviram, the sons of Eliab, and On, the son of Peleth, sons of Reuben, took men: 2  And they rose up before Moshe, with certain of the children of Israel, two hundred and fifty princes of the assembly, famous in the congregation, men of renown: 3  And they gathered themselves together against Moshe and against Aharon, and said to them, You take too much on you, seeing all the congregation are holy, every one of them, and Avinu is among them: why then lift you up yourselves above the congregation of Avinu? (B’midbar 16:1-3)

Rebellion has several “mothers”.  Pride and hatred are two of the primary stimuli of rebellion.  Some people simply think that they are smarter than their authorities while others don’t like the way that they are being treated. 

Korach felt that he and his co-rebels were as “holy” as Moshe.  He thought that all Jews were inherently holy and there was no difference in any of them regardless of their position.

This same idea is held by a substantial amount of people today. I think that it is a false concept designed to allow them to feel good about themselves while living a very liberal lifestyle.    

Maybe if Korach didn’t feel like he was as holy as Moshe he would have been more careful in choosing who he was rebelling against.

Here is what Shaul teaches: 

1 Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from Avinu, and the authorities that exist are appointed by Avinu. 2  Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of Avinu, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves. 3  For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same. 4  For he is Avinu’s minister to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is Avinu’s minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil. 5  Therefore you must be subject, not only because of wrath but also for conscience’ sake. 6  For because of this you also pay taxes, for they are Avinu’s ministers attending continually to this very thing. 7  Render therefore to all their due: taxes to whom taxes are due, customs to whom customs, fear to whom fear, honor to whom honor. (Ro 13:1-7)

1 Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, 2  for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all Avinu likeness and reverence. 3  For this is good and acceptable in the sight of Avinu our Savior, (1Ti 2:1-3)