The sons of Korah are the latest addition to my list of people saved and vindicated by the scriptural rules of life.
[This post was edited on 12/20/2022 to include important details of how Moses wrongly accused Korah in the section titled The Law]
“Also if anyone competes as an athlete, he does not win the prize unless he competes according to the rules.” 2 Tim 2:5.
This series has covered Judas Iscariot as the redemption of the house of Judah. I also share how the fall of man was not really the fall of man, and the original sin was not Adam’s fault and what that means for all mankind. These tangentially redeem Ishmael, Isaac, Jacob, Benjamin, Joseph, Jonathan, John, Mary, and even Cain, among others.
Email me if there is someone you wonder how they could be saved. Maybe we can pick the lock together.
The Sons of Korah
When was the last time you heard a sermon about the Sons of Korah? I’ll bet I have never heard a single sermon about their plight of silence (Ps 43:5). They were cast to Sheol with their harps and singing to beg for vindication. Read Psalms 42-49 and 84-88 to better understand the plight of these people. It reads more like Job as the fallen understand they are fallen yet still love God with all of their hearts. These are fallen angels who have been committed to the Lord in music and darkness (Matt 6:23, Matt 4:16). This could seem like an esoteric thing of the past without the context of why mankind was created in the first place. Jude 6, however, tells us the release is in a time to come. Until then they will rely on wisdom and riddles.
“My mouth will speak wisdom, And the meditation of my heart will be understanding. I will incline my ear to a proverb; I will express my riddle on the harp.” (Ps 49:3–4)
They speak in riddles, in a secret kind of language. This is the same language Jesus used to teach parables. I know this takes more to explain, but this message is primarily for Korah’s sons, not as much for the broader body of God’s creation.
The Beginning
Korah appears in a number of places in the cycle of life. Korah is a descendant of Caleb, who is the only other person who goes into the promised land with Joshua. Joshua (Yeshua/Jesus) the son of Nun (none, virgin) had to come because Moses was too harsh and did not speak to the rock the second time. God wanted the Word spoken. Caleb must also be special if he came to the promised land. I’ll focus on an earlier reference, however, who is one of Esau’s seven sons. The story is found in Numbers 16:1-40, which tells of why and how Korah fell and why Korah is innocent and indeed forgiven by promise.
Numbers 16:9 Says Korah was separated, as Levi, for service to the Lord. Korah, however, wanted more, which was to be the priest also (Nu 16:10). Verse 11 says it is against the Lord’s wishes to do this because it violates the separation. The Lord requires separation without pride. The admonishment continued as they are found to be grumbling against Aaron, the priest. It seems their crime was self-elevation, but I don’t think that was the case. Instead, it seems to be the desire to minister to others and to the Lord.
Moses’ Intervention
Moses attempts to draw Dathan and Abiram up from the pits so they can testify against Korah but they will not come (Nu 16:13-14). Then Moses became upset and seemed to command the Lord not to regard their offering. That sounds pretty bold in verse 15, but Moses was a harsh man and had to die when he struck the rock twice (Nu 20:12). I think Korah came in to correct Moses but Moses would not hear of it so he tried to wick the righteous out but they said no. This sounds like the Garden of Eden to me. Man, as male and female, did not take the bait leading to the creation of the woman. Both instances display deceit from heaven.
Punishment
Moses doled out the punishment that they bring 250 firepans, which I think is 200 plus 50 firepans based on Joshua 7 as it relates to Achar and Achan. They each took their own firepan along with Aaron and his and placed his own censer on it. This is the punishment – they each have to place their own heat in their own firepan. This is the pain of one person being with himself. He is witnessing himself in this world instead of the wall of separation – these people get to see through a window but no contact.
This present yet absent feeling appears to be like God’s ability to divide soul and spirit (Hebrews 4:12). The message I hear is we need to love our neighbor as ourselves because we are boiling ourselves in our own putrid primordial soup of hate.
The Lord, not Moses, ordered separation and desolation (Nu 16:28). Moses is instructed to tell Eleazar to take up all the censers because they are holy but spread the ashes in verse 37. Verse 38 says they are forgiven and holy. This is like Leviticus 27:32 which says all things devoted to destruction are holy to the Lord. The final verse in this passage, Nu 16:40, says this is a reminder that nobody comes near. Importantly the ashes go to the east as Jonah did after preaching, and the east is where the wind originates for which we need deep roots to withstand (Ezekiel 17:1-10).
The Offense
Korah’s crime is found in Nu 16:3 when Korah and 250 leaders of the congregation said all people are holy and Moses had gone far enough. This made Moses fall on his face. Moses corrected them and said not everyone is holy, I’ll show you tomorrow. What Korah did not realize is there are some who were not yet good, therefore not yet time to end creation. So Moses instituted a test that caused Korah to be swallowed up by the earth in silence.
Perhaps one is tempted to go through the reasons why Korah failed or made mistakes, but it might be worth a second look. Everything falls apart based on the fall of man, pardon the pun, which was not really the fall. It’s a forced fall as I suggest in another post. That argument is not sufficient for complete vindication, however. We can find other places and reasons Korah is vindicated.
The Law
The law is very specific on how trials work. It takes two witnesses to condemn anyone and that cannot be missed in this story. Notice Korah came with others including Dathan and Abiram. There were two hundred and fifty, which I equate to two people as one is the elder and one the younger. Whether it is 250 or 2, Korah met the burden of testimony according to the law, “On the evidence of two witnesses or three witnesses, he who is to die shall be put to death; he shall not be put to death on the evidence of one witness.” Deuteronomy 17:6.
The most shocking realization for me, however, is Moses did not meet his burden according to Deuteronomy 19:15, which says, “A single witness shall not rise up against a man on account of any iniquity or any sin which he has committed; on the evidence of two or three witnesses a matter shall be confirmed.” Dt 19:15. His verdict was unilateral, therefore insufficient, in Numbers 16:5.
More notably Moses fell on his face, which means he fell from righteousness because he was called out by Korah according to the rules. He cannot render a valid verdict while in a place of unrighteousness. We see this when Jesus admonished the Adulterous woman not to sin any longer (John 8:11). Korah therefore cannot be condemned by a sinner, in the state of sinning, and nobody in their righteous state would either. Moses could not even get the unrighteous to come up from hell and support his claim (Nu 16:12). That has more profound meaning as it means they would not rise at the incorrect time, hence the earth swallowed them up though they could get up. They know better.
The Twist and Vindication
The twist is Korah saw no difference between good and evil. This meets the very first law – don’t try to discern between good and evil – withhold all judgment. Creation requires, though, for us to ultimately experience both good and evil. We need to be able to see and accept both sides. If we can only see and experience good, it is an incomplete understanding. They could love everyone as their neighbor if they saw all things as good and not evil. The ministry and priesthood had to be kept secret because there were some who were not yet cleansed. This is why the veil rips open at the time of Jesus’ death.
“Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. They then do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable.” 1 Cor 9:25
Confusion
We must not overlook one of the most quoted passages in Isaiah (Isaiah 6:8-12: Is 43:8; Matt 13:14; Mark 4:12; Luke 8:10; John 12:40; Acts 28:26; Rom 11:8). He answers the Lord’s calling to confuse everyone and cause all to fall.
“Then I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, ‘Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us?’ Then I said, ‘Here am I. Send me!’ He said, ‘Go, and tell this people: ‘Keep on listening, but do not perceive; Keep on looking, but do not understand.’ ‘Render the hearts of this people insensitive, Their ears dull, And their eyes dim, Otherwise they might see with their eyes, Hear with their ears, Understand with their hearts, And return and be healed.’ Then I said, ‘Lord, how long?’ And He answered, ‘Until cities are devastated and without inhabitant, Houses are without people And the land is utterly desolate'” Is 6:8–11.
The Meaning of the Confusion
Confusion and devastation are part of creation but we must also remember “Anything devoted to destruction is most holy to the Lord.” Lev 27:28. The word for devoted also means to put under the ban. That is the plight of Korah. Korah’s sons are under the ban, therefore most holy to the Lord. Numbers 6:1-27 give us the details of the ban and tell us something really special in verse 27. A person who can’t drink wine or cut his hair is connected and can’t break loose. They can see but cannot touch. This is why Samson lost his sight when he lost his hair. They are spiritually connected. This kind of person is a cup of wine yet to be drunk. They must carry their own cross (Luke 14:27). The name Korah means ice and hail. Perhaps their praise is on ice until it is time to glorify God.
That is an amazing and mind-bending calling. It makes me think of Justin Bieber’s song Purpose. It’s worth watching his video.
The Crime Which Wasn’t
Korah’s only crime was a desire for peace and quiet, love and praise. The Lord says the one who prophesies peace is the one truly sent from Him.
“The prophet who prophesies of peace, when the word of the prophet comes to pass, then that prophet will be known as one whom the Lord has truly sent” (Jer 28:9, NASB).
Peace is foretold and anyone who says so will be right, or that verse is mistranslated.
Korah’s cry for help and love plays out in Psalms 42-49 and 84-88. These beautiful Psalms seem to continue in our world today in the creative minds of musicians. While I cannot attest to the identification of certain musicians as sons or daughters of Korah, I am amazed at how closely the stories rhyme.
The first rule of creation is to stay quiet and divided. Separation from God is the requirement and Korah only wanted to be with God and proclaim innocence. Today I made a case that Korah is innocent (Ps 43:1) and I am certain God placed this on my heart to share. There are many, many, other ways but I think this is a story this Christmas season needs – Peace. After all, these are the original worship leaders to proclaim universal salvation. Give them praise and listen to the music around you – it’s probably angels singing. Raise them up, they’ve ministered to us and Jesus (Heb 13:2, Ps 78:25, Mt 4:11, Heb 1:7, Mk 1:13).
By the Rules
“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith; in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing.” 2 Tim 4:7–8.
Merry Christmas! Peace Be With You!
Let’s make this a special Christmas so those who can’t speak clearly can shine the light brightly for all to see. It’s time to unchain the sons of Korah – the original worship leaders of our God and King.
Talk to a musician or other artist sporting a tattoo that says only God judges or a cross on his or her body but they don’t look like they belong in church. They probably don’t but would love to return. Ask for their story. Maybe they will share. At least thank them for serving God so faithfully. Maybe I’ll share some songs with scriptural references and crack this rock wide open. No knives, cutting, chains, or casting aside – just love.
Personal note
This post was created quickly as God’s tug on my heart is profound. I don’t know everything there is to know about the sons of Korah, but I do know they have been faithful and never broke their silence, at least to me. They remained silent in the most deafening way.
God pulled me into this during my last church service when the worship leaders sang O Holy Night. I am shocked and saddened that I missed the power and meaning of the angels singing, especially in Sheol. David sang and played music whenever the evil spirit filled Saul (1 Samuel 16:16). Notably, the same word is translated as Saul. Sheol, and the underworld. The point is many people in our world feel like they are in a living hell and need to hear music and be reminded of their personal mission and the quest for peace.
Unfortunately, I couldn’t go into much depth on the redemption process here. However, my upcoming book Mystery of Man covers it well (if it ever gets published). It is worth noting, though, if Korah’s testimony was allowed out too early and indeed true, not all people would be cleaned from the inside out. More importantly, they would not have all been made dirty so they could experience the cleansing process (Lk 7:47, Eph 2:9, 1 Sam 2:3). This is unequivocally the primary purpose of Jesus’ ministry. Those who grumble must also be cleaned. They become vocal when they are also brought to redemption and repentance. The grumbling becomes praise.
