Up In Smoke

Korach:

         Remember how "sin begat sin."Well amazingly on the heels of the ten spies evil report that led an entire generation, to be sentenced to death, in the wilderness. This week’s torah portion {Num 16 - 18:2 } informs us of Korah leading a rebellion, against the Lord and Moses in the wilderness. Ether Korah had chutzpah, or he was insane!

       Because this week’s portion starts out by saying, Korah the son of Izhar, the son of Kohath, the son of Levi, with Dathan and Abiram the sons of Eliab, and On the son of Peleth, sons of Reuben, took men; and they rose up before Moses with some of the children of Israel, two hundred and fifty leaders of the congregation, representatives of the congregation, men of renown. Num 16:1-2

         Who was Korah? Well, Korach wasn’t your ordinary rabble-rouser. No, Korah was a leading member of Kehatites, the most prestigious of all the Levite families. Making Korah, Moses’ cousin. Remember how the ark, was carried by the Levi priests, who went before the children of Israel, in the wilderness. Well Korah, was one of these priests, who had the honor of carrying the ark. So, you would have suspected, Korah, to be a rabble - rouser, would you?

            As for Dathan and Abiram, Moses had an unforgettable encounter, with these two. Remember when Moses, killed the Egyptian taskmaster. Then on the following day, Moses returned to the scene of the crime. Only to encounter two Hebrew men, fighting. Thus Moses asked, the one who started the fight, "why are you striking your brother?" {Ex 2:13} Then the one, who started the fight replied, "who made you a prince and a judge over us? Do you intend to kill me as you killed the Egyptian?" {Ex 2:14 } How is this event related to this week’s portion?

         According to the sages of Israel, Dathan and Abiram are the same individuals, who Moses encountered fighting, each other. On this note, remember the Jewish teaching which states, "as it were with the fathers so, shall it be with the sons." And how Dathan and Abiram asked Moses, "who made you a prince and a judge over us?" How is this question thematically related, to Yeshua?

             That said I know that I quote Yeshua’s {Jesus’ Hebrew name} following statement over and over. But remember how Yeshua said,"if you believed Moses, you would believe Me; for he wrote about Me?"{John 5:46 } Implying that in chronicling the account of Korah rebellion, Moses wrote of Yeshua.

        With that said, in reading of a biblical event, often there is an underlying story, beneath the story. And the underlying story, is far more fascinating, than the story itself. The sages called this underlying story, "the sod level."

        With that said, I have written on Korah’s rebellion once, and I have heard it taught on several times. Though, I have never heard no one, explain how Moses in chronicling this event, wrote of Yeshua?

        Thus, I’m not going to teach on Korah’s rebellion, verse by verse. So if you hadn’t read it, then I encourage you to read it. Because what "I intend to do," is to expound on words, or phrases, where Moses alluded to the coming Messiah.

           Right off the bat in {Num 16:2 ,} we are told how Korah along with 250 well respected men, "rose up" against Moses. These men, were leaders of the assembly, men of renown.

         On this note, the following Hebrew word for rose is "quwm," and it mean to "arise." I bet you can’t guess, I’m heading with this?

           Remember how Yeshua encountered a blind man, outside of Jericho. When the blind man discerned that it was Yeshua, who was approaching him, he addressed Yeshua by saying, "Yeshua, Son of David, have mercy on me." Why, didn’t I use the name, Jesus here?

            Namely because the word Jesus is a Greek word, plugged into the text, by the king James translators. Plus the blind man, was Hebrew. Thus, he would have alluded to "the Son of David" by His Hebrew name, Yeshua. Prompting many who were there, to warn him to be quite. Though instead of being quite like they wanted him to. He hollowed louder, "Yeshua, Son of David, have mercy on me!" Mark 10:47

            That said, often we find ourselves in need of a miracle and we pray and pray. Only to think, what’s the use, the Lord isn’t hearing my prayers anyway, and we quite. Though instead of quitting, what we should do is pray more intensely, for example.

             When the blind man, cried out louder. Yeshua suddenly stopped, and commanded, the blind man to be summon. They summoned him by saying, "be of good cheer. Rise, He is calling you." { Mark 10:49 }Then Yeshua asked him, "what do you want of me?" To which the blind man answered, "that I may receive my sight." Yeshua then replied, "go your way; your faith has made you well." And immediately he received his sight and followed Yeshua on the road.  Mark 10:51 -52

            That said Yeshua said, "the Son of Man must suffer many things, and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised the third day." {Luke 9:22 }

          On this note, remember the Jewish teaching which states, "as it were with the fathers so, shall it be with the sons." And how Dathan and Abiram asked Moses, "who made you a prince and a judge over us?" How is this question, thematically related, to Yeshua?

                When Yeshua came into the world, just as Dathan and Abiram. The people rejected Him as being "the Son of {G-d"} the King, which would have made Yeshua, a Prince. Making the question that was poised to Moses, thematically related to {Luke 9:22 } and Yeshua.

              We all are in an agreement that Moses in delivering the children of Israel, foreshadow Yeshua. Having said that remember how the 250 men, who rebelled with Korah, were leaders of the assembly, men of renown. Hence, how are these men, thematically related to Yeshua?

                  Headed by the high priest, the Sanhedrin council was the highest ruling body and court of justice, in the land in Yeshua’s day. It was composed of 71 men of renown, such as Joseph of Arimathea (Mark 15:43 ,) Gamaliel (Acts 5:34 ,) and Nicodemus (John 3:1 ; 7:50.)

              This is significant, because after Yeshua was apprehended in the garden, Yeshua appeared before the Sanhedrin council, at daybreak. Once arriving they asked Him, "if you are the Messiah, tell us." Yeshua answered, "I tell you, you will by no means believe. And if I also ask you, you will by no means answer Me or let Me go. Hereafter the Son of Man will sit on the right hand of the power of God." {Luke 22:67-69 } In other words, if the truth hit them in the face. They didn’t process, the spiritual wisdom to know it.

             Then the council asked, "are you the Son of G-d?" Yeshua then replied, "you rightly say that I am." Amidst the uproar, caused by Yeshua’s statement. I can hear Caiaphus the high priest saying, "what further testimony do we need? For we have heard it ourselves from His own mouth." {Luke 22:70-71 } Making the Sanhedrin council, thematically related to the 250 men of renown, who rebelled against Moses.

          There were two groups involved in the rebellion, against Moses and Aaron. The group more focused on dethroning Moses was led by Dathan and Abiram, of the tribe of Reuben. Theirs was the tribe of the first-born and they believed that according to birthright, the rulers of Israel should be chosen from their ranks.

             Whereas the group led by Korah, hailed from the tribe of Levi. We discern in the opening verse that Korah was the son of Izhar, who was the son of Kohath. Moses and Aaron’s father, Amram, was also a son of Kohath. Thus Moses and Korah, were cousins. Though, jealousy and resentment over his cousins’ appointments to positions of status, was at the root of Korah’s dispute, with Moses, for example. He believed that, as a leader of the Levites, he had as much right as Aaron did, to fill the position of High Priest.

            Though, of lying their’s cards on the table. When this group of rebels, came against Moses and Aaron they said, "you take too much upon yourselves, for all the congregation is holy, every one of them, and the LORD is among them. Why then do you exalt yourselves above the assembly of the LORD?"

Num 16:3

                  So, instead airing their grievous, they played coy by acting, they were concern with Moses’ well-being. That said, in the previous portion, the Lord had commanded tassels known as "tzitizits," be worn on the corners of their clothing. {Num 15:38 } Without going into details, of how the "tzitizels,"are a reminder of the Lord’s commandments. {Num 15:40 }

            A "tzitizit" has a blue thread in it. This is meaningful, because according to the sages, Korah and his band of rebel, were all dressed in solid blue. After they had asked Moses, "why do you exalt yourselves above the assembly of the LORD?" They stated, being that we are dressed in solid blue. Why, do we need to wear a "tzitizit?"

             I don’t allude to all of the teachings of the sages, because a large portion of their teachings, are not biblical true. However I do not pour the baby out, with the bath water ether, and here is what I mean by this.

           According to the sages, a key issue in Korah’s dispute, was the wearing of "tzitizets." Can you think of an event in Yeshua’s life, where "tzitizit" came into play?

          Remember the woman, who had a issue of blood for 12 years, and couldn’t be healed. {Luke 8:43} Making the woman, and anyone coming in contact with her "tamei," or ritually unclean. Which prevented her, or anyone coming in contact with her, from worshiping in the temple. In turn she had spent all of her possessions, in an effort to be cured. However she only gotten worse. {Mark 5:26 } So, what was her last resort?

           Our bible states, upon seeing Yeshua, she reasoned, "if I touched the heme of His garment, I will be made whole." {Matt 9:21 } Though, when the King James bible was translator, it was translating into Greek. Why is this significant?

            Well Yeshua was an law-abiding Hebrew, and worn "tzitizit" on the corners of His clothing. Though the Greek translators, omitted this fact.

           This is meaningful, because when the woman touched Yeshua. She touched Yeshua’s "tzitizit." In turn the woman’s blood suddenly dried up, and she discern that she had been healed. Mark 5:29

            Yeshua then stopped and asked, "who touched me." When everyone denied, doing so. Peter then said, Rabbi, a throng of people are pressing against You, and yet You asked, "who touched Me?" To which Yeshua stated, "somebody has touched me: for I perceive that power is gone out of me." Luke 8:45 - 46

           When the woman perceived that she wasn’t hidden, she stepped forward trembling, and fell down before Yeshua. She then informed Yeshua and the slew of people why, she had touched Him and how she was healed. Luke 8: 47

            Let me just say, I have heard this event, alluded to from the pulpit, countless times. Though never have I heard the correct explanation on why, this woman feared being found out. Namely because the Church teaches, "the law was done away with."

           Thus, they fail to comprehend that according to the law, when a woman discharge blood, during her monthly cycle. She is "tamei," or ritually unclean, {Lev 15:25 } and anyone coming in contact with her, is unclean also.

        In turn priests and even some Rabbis today, will go to great length, not to come into contact with such individuals. However here was an unclean woman going to great length, to touch Yeshua’s "tzitizit." Though, instead of being scolded Yeshua said, "daughter, be of good comfort: your faith had made you whole; go in peace." {Luke 8:48 }

        If the sages are right then and Korah confronted Moses, over the commandment of wearing having to wear "tzitizit." Clearly this is a reference to Yeshua. Though, if you think in a western mid set, you will fail to discern this point.

             Remember how upon presenting, a strange fire {not commanded of them} before the Lord. A flame appeared from the ark, and consumed Nadab and Abiu. {Lev10:1} In light of this, Moses instructed Korah and his band of rebels, to take their censer {fire pan} and fill it with ashes and present it before the Lord, tomorrow. Then He will choose, who is holy. {Num 16:6 - 7 }

            Moving on Korah accused Moses, of making up several of the commandments, such as the commandment to wear "tzitizit." In turn Moses stated,"by this you shall know that the LORD has sent me to do all these works, for I have not done them of my own will." {Num 16:28 }

          Can you think of a statement made by Yeshua that is thematically related, to Moses’ statement? There are many, for example. Yeshua stated, "I am One who bears witness of Myself, and the Father who sent Me bears witness of Me." {John 8:18 }

            Though the one that I am thinking of Yeshua stated, "for I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me." {John 6:38 } So, just as the Lord sent Moses, to do the Father’s will. Namely delivering the children of Israel, from Egypt. Likewise Yeshua was sent, to do the will of the Father. Namely delivering mankind, from the bondage sin.

              On this note, not only did Yeshua come down from heaven, to ultimately go to the Cross. He came down from heaven, to do the Father’s will, which are His commandments also. Yet we are told, Yeshua came to do away with the law. In spite of the fact that Yeshua said, "it is easier for heaven and earth to pass away than for one tittle of the law to fail." Luke 16:17

                Remember how according to the sages, a blue flame came from the ark of the covenant and consumed Nadab and Abiu. {Lev 10:2 } This is significant, because Moses issued the following challenge. By stating, "if these men die naturally like all men, or if they are visited by the common fate of all men, then the LORD has not sent me. But if the LORD creates a new thing, and the earth opens its mouth and swallows them up with all that belongs to them, and they go down alive into the pit, then you will understand that these men have rejected the LORD." Num 16:29-30

           So, if these men died un naturally, like Nadab and Abiu did. Then the Lord has rejected them. However if they die of naturally causes, Moses stated, the Lord did not send him. Can you think of a coming event or person, who is thematically related, to Moses’ challenge?

            Similar to Korah, who rebelled against the Lord and Moses. In the future a evil person, the anti messiah will appear, and rebel against G-d. Yes, like Korah, the anti messiah will oppose the Lord and His commandments, earning him the tittle of the "lawless one." {2 Thess 2:8} What will become of him, and his followers? Well, lets read on and discern, how the torah answers this question.

           As soon as Moses issued his challenge, the ground spit apart under Dathan and Abiram’s feet. Amazingly the earth opened, and consumed Dathan and Abiram and all of their families. Along with Korah, and all of his goods. Everyone of them, went down into the pit, and were swallowed alive. Num 13:31 - 33

A footnote: According to the sages, during the famine, Joseph amassed the entire world’s treasures, in exchanged for food. I mention this nugget, because according to the sages, Korah served as Pharaoh’s accountant. So, when the children of Israel, left Egypt. Korah cleaned out the treasury of Egypt. Korah had so munch wealth, that he required a caravan of 300 pack mules. Though, all of this wealth, was swallowed up with Korah.

          Returning to our question, what will become of the anti messiah, along with those who are deceived, into following him? Well G-d’s words declares the end from the beginning, from ancient times past. {Isa. 46:10 }

         I mention this fact because, Yeshua will cast anti messiah along with his followers, into the lake of fire. {Rev 19:20 } Then identical to Korah, He will toss Satan, who had entered into the anti messiah, into the bottomless pit, for a thousand years. {Rev 20:1 - 2 } Clearly {Num 16:30 -32 } is thematically related this event.

         Remember the 250 men, who sided with Korah, against the Lord. When they offered a strange fire before the Lord, like Nadab and Abiu. They were consumed by, what the sages state, was a blue flame. {Num 16:35 } Can you think of an event in the book of Revelation that is thematically related this event?

        When the thousand years are over, Satan will be release for a season. And upon being release he will deceive the nations of the word, led by Gog and Magag, into marching against Jerusalem. They will be like the sand of the sea, in numbers. {Rev 20:7 - 8 }

         They will march across the world, in order to surround G-d’s people in Jerusalem. Though, identical to the 250 men, fire will come down and devour them. Then Satan will be toss into the lake of fire, along with the anti messiah and the false prophet, where they are tormented day and night. Rev 20: 9 - 10

         In closing, after the Lord’s judgement, had fallen on Korah and his band. The Lord in an effort to conform that Aaron, was His chosen High Priest. Instructed Moses to gather a staff, from the leaders of each tribes. Moses was then instructed to write Aaron’s name on his,’ for the tribe of Levi, along with the leader of each tribe, on their’s. Num 17:2 - 3

            Moses then placed the 12 staffs in the tabernacle, before the ark of the covenant. Then the Lord stated, the staff of the man who I shall choose, will bloom and I will rid Myself of the complaint of the people, which they make against Me. Num 17: 4 - 5

       Once the leaders of each tribe, brought their staffs to Moses. Moses placed the staffs, before the ark of the covenant, where the present of the Lord dwelt, over the mercy seat.{Num 17:6 - 7 } According to the sages, Moses placed Aaron’s staff, in the middle of the twelve staffs. In order to avoid any complaints that when Aaron’s staff blossomed that it was, because Aaron’s staff was closer to the Almighty’s presents.

         The following day, when Moses went into the tabernacle, and witnessed the staff of Aaron’s had budded and blossomed and had produced ripe Almonds. Moses then took the staffs, out from the Lord’s presents, where all of the people could see, Aaron’s staff and know that Aaron was the Lord’s chosen, High Priest. {Num 17: 8 -9} What are we to gleam from this?

        Well Aaron’s staff, was made from dead wood. Yet, amazingly it budded and blossomed, and produced ripe Almonds. Which is a picture of renewed life, from death. Thus, the torah is giving us, a prophesy of the Messiah. How so you ask?

        In Korah’s rebellion, he had swayed some of the people’s hearts into thinking, Moses on a whelm had appointed Aaron, as High Priest, and not the Lord. Thus, this test was composed by the Lord to settle this issue, once and for all. Can you think, of a statement made by Yeshua that is thematically related to Aaron’s budding staff?

        Remember how Aaron’s budding staff, serves as a picture of renewed life, from death. When Yeshua along with His disciples came upon Galilee, he informed them of His death and resurrection. By saying, "the Son of Man is about to be betrayed into the hands of men, and they will kill Him, and the third day He will be raised up." { Matt 17:22-23 } Where am I going with this?

           Logically specking it is impossible, for dead wood, to bud and blossom and bear fruit. Yet, astonishingly Aaron’s staff did, conforming that Aaron, was the High Priest. Though just as amazingly Yeshua died and was buried. Yet, within three days, Yeshua arose from the grave. And is presently sitting at the right hand of the Father, {Ps 110:1} where He is making intercessions, on our behalf, as our High Priest. {Heb 6:20 }

          May the LORD bless you and keep you. May the LORD make His face shine upon you, And be gracious to you. May the LORD lift up His countenance upon you, And give you peace." Num 6:22- 26