“Notwithstanding the children of Korah died not.” (Nu 26:11 AV)
What Moses is referring to is the rebellion of Dothan and Korah. Korah, being the only Levite of that number, agreed with the supposition of Dathan that anyone from the tribe of Levi could lead Israel and Moses and Aaron were not the only ones qualified to do so. Dothan and Abiram came from their tents with their wives and little ones. Number 16:27 tells us Korah came from his tent, but there is no mention of children coming from his. Some suggest the sons of Korah were of age and decided not to support their father in his rebellion. We don’t know why the sons of Korah were not with their father, but giving them the benefit of the doubt, they had decided to walk in obedience to the LORD and thus escaped the judgment passed on their father and remaining family. This had to be hard. To separate from someone whom you love, respect, and look up to because they are in disobedience had to be a hard choice. But this hard choice saved their lives. And much more. The descendants of Korah’s sons contributed much to the ministry of the tabernacle. So much so there are many psalms written by their respective families. God rewarded their integrity in the face of familial rejection.
To walk with God in obedience and faith requires hard choices. Jesus said, “For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law…He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.” (Mt 10:35, 37KJV) This is not to say that Jesus came and that He might spread hate in a family or among family members. Rather, in walking with God by faith and obedience, relationships become strained. Perhaps even estranged. This is not limited to family. Our prayer is our faith in Jesus Christ as LORD and Savior would strengthen close relationships. That would be our prayer. Our prayer is those who are close to us would also bow their knee to Jesus Christ as their only means of salvation. However, this often is not the case. An unfortunate but necessary choice then must be made. Does the saint follow Christ, or does he compromise his relationship with God to please those closest to him? This is what the sons of Korah were faced with. Do they support their father and hope that God understands? Or, do they choose God and hope their father understands? A really hard choice.
It is really interesting when one studies the result of the choices of the three sons of Korah. They had a huge impact on the nation and on today’s church. These three men chose to do the right thing. They chose to do the hard thing. And by doing so, left behind a legacy that affects even today’s saints. These three men decided to stand with God. I don’t see them having an attitude about it. Rather, they knew what they had to do. They knew it would hurt. They knew the hard choice would mean heartache. They knew there was no way of easing the impact of what they had to do. No doubt, being priests, they offered prayers continually for their extended family and nation. They would live with this for the rest of their lives. But it had to be done. God comes first. No matter what.
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