14 January 2022 – Rebels - Dathan and Abiram

We were reading Psalm 106 a couple of nights ago at our family bible reading and prayer. The Lord highlighted my focus on the names Dathan and Abiram. Tonight I have asked the Holy Spirit to guide me and this is what was revealed.

Psalm 106:16-18

16 The people in the camp were jealous of Moses and envious of Aaron, the Lord’s holy priest.

17 Because of this, the earth opened up; it swallowed Dathan and buried Abiram and the other rebels.

18 Fire fell upon their followers; a flame consumed the wicked.

Who are Dathan and Abiram?

Numbers 16 tells us of the rebellion led by Korah, Dathan and Abiram. These 3 men disrespected the authority God had given to Moses and Aaron to lead the Israelites out of Egypt to the Promised land. Numbers 16:2 They incited a rebellion against Moses, along with 250 other leaders of the community, all prominent members of the assembly. They quarrelled with Moses and Aaron and argued regarding their hardships during this journey. They felt that Egypt was far better than what was being provided, despite seeing the signs and wonders displayed during their exodus from Egypt and the miracles in their journey.

The question then, who are the Korahs, Dathans and Abirams in your camp? Irrespective of their knowledge and sight of God’s signs and wonders, they influenced and weaved doubt and fear in their camp due to their lust for power, ambition and comfort. They became bitter, resentful, skeptical and they complained. They were not confident of God’s plans and did not walk in faith but walked by sight.

Lesson:

Don’t let difficulties hinder your sight for God’s direction in your life. You may be in the journey and it does not feel like the ‘grass is greener on the other side’. You must not lose faith and hope. Do not take the wide road because the journey is too hard. When you come to that crossroad of endurance during your journey and you decide to throw in the towel, you are giving up on God’s plan for you. Proverbs 3:6 Seek God in all that you do and he will show you which path to take. Don’t be fooled and be blinded by the prince of darkness. The wrong way is always so attractive and compelling until you are sucked into its darkness. This is what happened to the 3 men and the 250 that rebelled against God’s plans. Numbers 16:32 The earth opened its mouth and swallowed the men, along with their households and all their followers who were standing with them, and everything they owned.

‘Korah was a Levite, a cousin of Moses, and a man of ability and influence. Though appointed to the service of the tabernacle, he had become dissatisfied with his position and aspired to the dignity of the priesthood. He was jealous of Aaron, and secretly opposed him and Moses.’ Does this not remind you of Lucifer and the 1/3 rebellious fallen angels? They knew God!

Warning: Do not speak wrongfully against God’s anointed and appointed leaders. The consequences without repentance are severe. When we aspire in the flesh, we will fail! You may not be as lucky as Jonah who called on God when he was swallowed by the fish. Psalm 46:10 Be still and know that I am God. If you have turned away from God’s plan and you are walking to the beat of your own drum – I urge you to reflect on the condition of your life. Is it a bed of roses?

I can assure you there is peace, joy, hope, love and laughter no matter what the journey is to get to the promised land when you rest in God. Don’t live and look at the situation by the world’s standards, you will limit yourself. When you view and walk in the situation by God’s standards you are then dancing to a different tune. A tune full of favour, hope and it is rewarding.

Whether you are Korah, Dathan or Abiram or you have such people surrounding you, I suggest you pray for yourself or intercede for that person to yield to God and to open their hearts and eyes to the Lord. We therefore pray for a humble and discerning spirit so that we walk in faith and not by sight.

James 1:2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.

Romans 8:28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.