Overstepping
one’s calling and purpose assigned by God can cause strife, division, and
discord – and based on its motivation, can lead to self-destruction. Numbers 16:1-18
tells the story of Korach, a Levite, and his followers who rose up against
Moses. Acting out of envy and jealousy, Korach and his followers weren’t happy
with the position that God had chosen for them, being in charge of the
tabernacle, its structure and Holy vessels, a very important function in and of
itself. You see, all that the Levites did was in support of and service to the
Aaronic priests, who God gave the duty and honor of approaching the Holy alter
to perform sacrifices. The High Priest could even enter into the Holy of
Holies, where the ark of the covenant stood, a status that would certainly
drive wicked hearts to envy. This is exactly what happened with Korach and his
many followers, including Datan and Aviram, who were from the tribe of Reuben.
They challenged the authority that God had given to Moses, accusing him of
self-appointed glory seeking (Num 16:3), when in fact it was they who were
guilty of what they were accusing Moses of. In doing so, they challenged God
Himself. Moses never sought leadership but was chosen by God to lead. Korach
was inflamed with jealousy and his selfish ambition created division and ‘sowed
discord among the brethren’, one of the seven things that God hates (Pro
6:16,19) making himself an abomination to God. His punishment? death for him
and every one of his followers by an earthquake swallowing them up or by their
fire pans burning them alive. The word of God warns against self-aggrandizing
ambition - “For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find
disorder and every evil practice.” (James 3:16) and God will always have the
last word.
Envy and selfish ambition
cause all kinds of trouble in our personal lives, not only at home or at work,
but also in congregations and fellowships as those who are neither qualified
nor anointed vie for positions God never intended them to occupy. The current
state of the church is a disaster and the reason why is that the church is full
of people in leadership positions that God neither called, anointed or intended
to be in such positions. But He, as always, will have the last word in the
matter. I wear a gel bracelet on my wrist that says ‘Man of God’ and quotes
Isaiah 40:31 “Yet those who wait for the LORD Will gain new strength; They will
mount up with wings like eagles, They will run and not get tired, They will
walk and not become weary.” In the years since it was given to me by a pastor
in Miami, after preaching in his church, it has come to have great prophetic
meaning for me personally, for I have come to understand its meaning well: Be
content with where you are and what I have given you at this time – and wait
patiently for me. There *may* come a time for a different role in ministry for
me – and there may not. For now, I’m am content with what the Lord has given me
and wait at the ready in case He calls for further action. I guess the moral of
this story is to stay in your own lane, content with what you know the Lord has
called you for and no more - but be ready in season and out of season for an
instant change. Be a minuteman for God.
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