Third Sunday in Lent

Sermon Text: Numbers 16:23-40

Other readings: 1 Corinthians 10:1-13, Luke 13:1-9

 

  1. When Korah, Dathan, and Abiram rebelled against Moses’ authority, what did Moses say would be the proof that the Lord had truly sent him and put him in charge? (See Numbers 16:30.)

 

  1. Why did God tell Moses to tell Eleazer the priest to hammer a bronze cover over the altar? (See Numbers 16:35-40.)

 

  1. What is part of the reason God included this shocking account in the Bible? Check out our Second Lesson, 1 Corinthians 10:1-13 for help.

 

  1. Not all of Korah’s sons perished. Some survived, and from those descendants the “Sons of Korah” wrote some famous psalms, including Psalm 46. Read Psalm 46:1-3, 8-11 and explain how this psalm shows a different attitude than Korah took.

 




 

  1. The proof would be the Lord doing something totally new and making the earth swallow up Korah, Dathan, Abiram, and their families.

 

  1. Not only had the earth swallowed the rebels and their families, but fire had come out from God and eaten up the 250 men allied with Korah who had been offering incense from bronze censers. The bronze overlay was to remind the Israelites that no one except a descendant of Aaron was to act as a priest before the Lord and offer him incense, or they would suffer the same fate as Korah and his followers.

 

  1. They serve as warnings for us not to get arrogant in how good of believers we might think we are. Otherwise, we’ll get careless, lazy, and fall, just as so many Israelites did.

 

  1. These words don’t defy God or treat him with contempt as Korah did. Instead, they seek to take their stand on God and his promises. They trust in God, stay still, and let God do what he wills. God give us his Holy Spirit to help us do the same!