From Korah’s Rebellion to Songs of Reverence

Do you love knowing the story behind an artist’s song? The artist’s backstory really enhances the listening experience for me and creates a deeper connection to the music. 

About a month ago, I had the privilege of teaching in our preschool Sunday school class and was assigned Numbers chapters 16-17: Korah’s rebellion. What a lesson to try to teach to preschoolers!

If you aren’t familiar with this portion of Israel’s history, it’s the account of 3 men (Korah is one of them) who were discontent in their role as Levites in charge of caring for the tabernacle. In their pride, they also wanted to be priests. These men incited a rebellion of 250 others to rise up against Moses and Aaron. 

Read it for yourself, but the sad short of the story is that the earth split open and swallowed up Korah, these men, and the text says, “their households.” 

However, in Numbers 26:11, we see that God spared Korah’s sons. A remnant was preserved who likely didn’t share his attitude. Maybe they were too young to understand, or perhaps they disagreed with their father’s actions? I’m not sure, but for whatever reason, some of them were spared from the consequences.

In nearly 25 years of teaching children’s classes, I can’t remember ever teaching this portion of Scripture, but the timing couldn’t have been more perfect. 

A few days after teaching, I was reading the assigned Psalms in my Bible reading plan… and guess who the authors of these songs were: the Sons of Korah. 

Of course that grabbed my attention.

I don’t know how many times I’ve read the Psalms and didn’t make this connection! (I’m sorry to any pastors who made this connection, and I forgot it!!) It sent me into a rabbit trail that I’m still kind of chasing, but maybe you’ll be encouraged from a little snippet of what I’ve learned so far.

Generations after the events in Numbers 16-17, the descendants of this rebellious Levite became leaders in worship. Instead of leading people into rebellion they led people to revere the Lord!

Understanding this made me read their Psalms a little more deeply than I had in the past.

For example,

God is our refuge and strength, a helper who is always found in times of trouble. Therefore we will not be afraid, though the earth trembles and the mountains topple into the depths of the seas, though its water roars and foams and the mountains quake with turmoil. (Psalm 46:1-3) 

Do you see the earthquake imagery in this? I can’t help but wonder if they remembered their ancestor who was swallowed up by the earth. 

Then there are some contrasts in Korah as compared to his descendants: a contrast in desires, response to distress, and perspective.

First, consider the contrasting desires: The sons of Korah desire God’s nearness; Korah had a desire for power.  

As a deer longs for flowing streams, so I long for you, God. I thirst for God, the living God… (Psalm 42:1-2a)

Secondly, there’s a contrast in their response to sorrows and distress. We see lament rather than lording: a hope rooted in God rather than a hope rooted in control:

Why, my soul, are you so dejected? Why are you in such turmoil? Put your hope in God, for I will still praise Him, my Savior and my God. (Psalm 42:5 and repeated in Psalm 42:11)

And finally, there’s a contrast in their God-exalting perspective as opposed to Korah’s man-exalting perspective. 

For the Lord, the Most High, is awe-inspiring, a great King over the whole earth. (Psalm 47:2)

One thing is sure. If you come from a tainted family past, know that you can be a turning point for the future. Though shaped by and remembering your family’s history, you do not have to repeat it. 

Instead, you can choose to join with the sons of Korah in this prayerful declaration:

The LORD will send His faithful love by day; His song will be with me in the night– a prayer to the God of my life. (Psalm 42:8)