The Rebellion of Korah- Part 1

00:00:00 Speaker 1: Previously on the Chosen People. 00:00:02 Speaker 2: I have heard the Israelites complaints against me. Tell them this, All who were counted in the censes twenty years older will die in the desert. I swear that none will enter the Promised Land except Caleb and Joshua. 00:00:20 Speaker 3: How could I possibly relay this message? 00:00:24 Speaker 2: Tell them what I said, Moses, And since Israel has refused to enter the Promised Land, you will have them turn back. 00:00:35 Speaker 4: You will all go. 00:00:36 Speaker 2: Back into the wilderness in the direction of the Red Sea. 00:00:40 Speaker 4: Moses, what did the Lord tell you? 00:00:43 Speaker 1: Moses bottom lip began to quiver, and his trembling hands grasped at Joshua's arm. The Lord spoken years for the years of what exile. As if to punctuate the end of his speech and the finality of his words, the cloud pillar above the tabernacle crackled with fiery energy, and thunder shook the skies. The people shrank back further, unable to take their eyes off the sky above. 00:01:31 Speaker 5: The ground you stand on is not as steady as you think. Shalloon, my friends from here in the Holy Land, I'm ye l Extein with International Fellowship of Christians and Jews. Welcome to the Chosen people. Each day we'll hear a dramatic story inspired by the Bible, stories filled with timeless lessons of faith, love, and the meaning of life. Through israel story, we'll find this truth that we are all chosen for something great. Now let's begin. The fierce desert wind sweeps through the camp, whispering secrets, secrets of power, of ambition, of rebellion, and somewhere in the shadows between the tents, a man named Krah waits. This moment has been brewing for months, since the spies returned and the Promised Land seemed further away than ever since dou began to creep into the hearts of the people. And now Corah is tired of waiting, tired of the wilderness, tired of Moses. What happens when we push against the will of God, when we decide that we know better than him. This story isn't just about a man. It's about the entire community of Israel, teetering on the edge of something dangerous, something that could tear them apart. 00:02:51 Speaker 1: The sun sank quickly, casting murky orange red rays that struggled to break through the stubborn gray clouds of the rainy season. In the wilderness of Paran. It had been months since the scouts were sent to the Promised Land during harvest, and now in the bleakness of winter, the mood in the Israelite camp was grim. The Lord's display of judgment months ago had left morale shattered, and bitterness had taken hold. News of the army's complete defeat in Canaan only deepened the despair. Yet, amid the literal and figurative storms, Corah since the winds of rebellion, and he intended to shape them. Cora's days of being a passive bystander a victim were behind him. Moses and Aaron had taken them as far as their stunted abilities could. The time was ripe for a change in leadership. As leader of the Cohathied clan, the most significant clan of the priestly tribe of Levi, Cora tasked with transporting the sacred vessels of the Tabernacle under divine protection. But despite this honour, it gnawded him that only Aaron and his sons were entrusted with actual authority. Cora's lineage was just as noble. He and Aaron shared the same grandfather, Levi, the tribe's namesake. Why should Kora not hold equal spiritual authority Despite knowing the law just as well as anybody, MOSE's appointments were limited to his own family. Cora was left feeling slighted, but that was about to change. Kra stood in the shadows at the edge of the camp, watching as Dathan and a bii Am from the tribe of Reuben approached. The men jumped when Cora's deep voice broke the silence. 00:04:53 Speaker 4: Were you followed? 00:04:55 Speaker 1: Cora smarked in the darkness. Dathan and Abiram were easy enough to coerce into his plans. Their fear was sufficient motivation, but it did not match Cora's cleverness and ambition. Daithan recovered from his initial fright of Cora's sudden appearance from the shadows and spoke first. 00:05:15 Speaker 3: No, we were not Cora, whereas on. 00:05:20 Speaker 1: He's late Dathan and abier Am were visibly rattled. The brothers were jumping at shadows and couldn't stop looking over their shoulders. Cora continued, savoring the upper hand he held over the brothers. 00:05:35 Speaker 4: Your nerves are close to fraying, still yourselves. We have a long night ahead, and yes, I. 00:05:42 Speaker 6: Would expect that you would know why your cousin is not here. 00:05:47 Speaker 7: He told us. He told us that he's not coming. He's not going to be a part of of what we've planned. 00:05:57 Speaker 3: What that's what he said? 00:06:00 Speaker 4: Ah, will he betray us? 00:06:03 Speaker 6: Will he go to Moses and Aaron? 00:06:05 Speaker 3: No, no, it's not like that. 00:06:07 Speaker 4: You're sure we've already had to hide our movements from your older brother, Nemuel. 00:06:12 Speaker 8: Do we need to be on God for a different betrayal from within your family? 00:06:16 Speaker 3: No, Nemuel knows nothing. We've been careful. 00:06:20 Speaker 7: As for an he told us. He told us he said his wife wouldn't let him come. She forbeyed him for being a part of it. What she's afraid, we're all afraid. Don't pretend you're not. You've seen what the stakes are, what the repercussions could. 00:06:40 Speaker 9: Be fine, but if I catch win that he went behind our Backstill he won't, But if. 00:06:48 Speaker 6: He does, I will hold you two responsible. 00:06:52 Speaker 4: Now to the matter at. 00:06:53 Speaker 1: Hand, Cora slipped into the empty tent without looking back, expecting Dathan and Abier to follow. Choosing men from the tribe of Reuben had been a strategic move, as descendants of Jacob's firstborn. The Rubenites harbored long standing resentment over losing their birthright generations ago. Even all these years later. That bitterness, coupled with their pride and ambition, made them eager to improve their political standing. Recent events only fueled their discontent. Shamois failed scouting report and the ensuing judgment still felt personal, especially as it seemed driven by Caleb of Judah. It was an insult they would not soon forget. Cora turned to face the men as they entered, his deep voice, calling their small coupd'etta to order. 00:07:48 Speaker 8: So tell me, were you able to rally the support we discussed? 00:07:52 Speaker 7: Yes, the men we discussed from Nanassa, Asher and Gad are in their number. Pluss the men from Simeon and Gad, who are in our sudden unit and very loyal, brings out total up to two. 00:08:08 Speaker 4: Hundred good and I was able to secure another fifty from the Levite clans. You have done well. 00:08:15 Speaker 6: Between our efforts. We have represented almost every tribe. 00:08:19 Speaker 3: God forget. 00:08:20 Speaker 7: Aaron's wife is a tribal Judah, and Miriam married him as well. All her sons and grandsons are tribe of Judah. They would never turn on the leadership. 00:08:31 Speaker 6: Yes, yes, two hundred and fifty it is. We should not wait any longer. The people are growing restless. 00:08:38 Speaker 4: We have enough support. 00:08:39 Speaker 9: Now we step in and make our stand. If we wait too long, no one will be able to control them, and it will be impossible to unite them. Fear is a delicate, fickled power. We must harness it. No, the timing has to be now. Why this time tomorrow the tribe of Reuben will rule all of Israel, and she. 00:09:03 Speaker 4: Will follow you whatever you want to take her. 00:09:06 Speaker 1: Daythan's and a Biurm's agitation and fear melted away, and unbridled ambition shadowed their faces. Cora sneered right along with them. The price for their part in this coup was the seat of civil power. These men of the Tribe of Reuben would replace Moses, and in return they would help him unseat Aaron. By the end of this Kud'etta, Cora would be high priest. When Moses woke up that morning, he thought it was still night, not that sleep found him easily these days. Moses weariness was bone deep. He looked up at the sky on his short walk to the tabernacle. Dark swollen clouds blotted out the sun. With the threat of rain to come. There was a bite in the air, and in a l electric energy on the breeze. A storm was brewing. Moses barely made it to his seat to hold court that morning. When the crowd started pushing their way into the clearing. He and Aaron exchanged where he looks. Moses tried to remain calm. He turned swiftly to Joshua. 00:10:19 Speaker 4: Joshua, do you know what's going on? I don't have a clue. They refused to tell me, and as you can see, they are very determined. 00:10:29 Speaker 1: Moses's stomach tightened with apprehension, but he marshaled all his strength and stood to face the crowd. 00:10:35 Speaker 3: Who speaks for you? 00:10:37 Speaker 1: Three men stood at the front of the throng. Two he recognized from leadership within the tribe of Reuben, and the other was his cousin Cora of the Kohathite clan. The three ringleaders stepped forward. It was clear to Moses that they had already stirred a wide audience in support of their cause. 00:10:57 Speaker 8: You know me, cousin Aura, son of Isah, son of Kazas, son of Levi, and I am daith. 00:11:07 Speaker 10: This is my brother Abiram. We are sons of eliab A priv Reuben Moses. 00:11:13 Speaker 8: We stand before you to tell you this. You go too far. Where has your leadership gotten us? Are we to die in the desert? It's because of you that we've been denied our inheritance. 00:11:26 Speaker 1: There were shouts and jeers from the crowd at that. Some seemed afraid of these bold words, but most, to Moses' dismay, most seemed to agree. Aaron leaped to his feet and sprang to his brother's side, but Moses caught him with a firm hand on his forearm. He eyed the crowd with apprehension. Cora's keen eyes saw moses Own calculation. 00:11:50 Speaker 6: He smiled, Yes, our leaders have failed us. 00:11:54 Speaker 8: The very liberty they promised has turned out to be a lie. Perhaps we have exchanged one mad king for another. Tell me, Moses and Aaron, do you enjoy lording over us? Did the Lord not say that the entire community is holy? So then why do you exalt yourself above the Lord's assembly? Why should the two of you, from a single family, in a single tribe be elevated over us? 00:12:22 Speaker 11: All? 00:12:23 Speaker 10: Here here I say this, There is too much power in the tribe of Levi. The Lord appointed them as priests, but should they rule us like a pharaoh as well? 00:12:37 Speaker 6: The high priest should know better. 00:12:39 Speaker 10: He seeks to keep his brother up in the seat of power for his own ambition. 00:12:44 Speaker 1: Aaron's mouth fell open in shock at these allegations. Moses held Aaron's arm fast to keep him from saying anything foolish, as his heart and mind raised. 00:12:55 Speaker 7: Easy Good explains, already choose your next words. 00:13:05 Speaker 1: Moses was right. The crowd looked bloodthirsty. Aaron pulled his arm back, forcing Moses to look him. 00:13:12 Speaker 4: In the eye. 00:13:13 Speaker 11: What would you have us? 00:13:14 Speaker 4: Do we have to respond? 00:13:17 Speaker 1: But Moses had no response. Aaron continued to speak to him frantically, but Moses heard only ringing in his ears as he watched the seething crowd continue to shout and shove each other, working themselves into a ladder. 00:13:33 Speaker 7: How many times do I need to see that people of God devolve into mindless madness? 00:13:39 Speaker 4: And its longer? 00:13:40 Speaker 3: Must I add this? 00:13:41 Speaker 1: Cora jeered and pointed a finger at the brothers. 00:13:44 Speaker 6: Yours speaceless, because you know what we say rings true. 00:13:48 Speaker 1: Moses stepped forward with Aaron at his shoulder. Cora puffed out his chest, expecting confrontation, but instead Moses did the unexpected. He took a single step forward, then collapsed to his knees, pulling Aaron with him. He then fell face first into the dirt path. 00:14:10 Speaker 6: It look at him, Moses is too old to lead us. 00:14:15 Speaker 1: Joshua stepped forward to defend Moses, but was quickly pulled back by Miriam. 00:14:21 Speaker 11: Oh, this isn't the time, Joshua. Wait, look, listen. 00:14:27 Speaker 1: Moses hadn't stumbled. He lay before the Lord with silent pleading, wordless groans. He called out to the god he had spoken with face to face. He beseeched him to speak with him again and show him what he should do. Cora was ignorant to the deafening fact that this was where Moses' power was truly found. 00:14:51 Speaker 3: The men want the mantle of leadership. If they truly think they could be a bit of job than me, this impossible task of leading their own. Maybe maybe I should let them. 00:15:05 Speaker 1: Try a test, the thought formed in his mind. Moses was not sure if it was from him or the Lord, but either way he grasped the idea like a drowning man. A test let the Lord decide who was worthy of leadership. Moses was done deciding. 00:15:26 Speaker 3: You want someone else to lead you. You want to be exalted. To see who the Lord will exalt among you. 00:15:35 Speaker 6: We the people, want what's fair, Moses. 00:15:39 Speaker 1: Moses shakily stood to his feet and pulled Aaron up as he addressed the crowd. 00:15:45 Speaker 10: Then tomorrow morning we will see the Lord will reveal who belongs to him, who has set apart, and who he will let come near him. 00:15:54 Speaker 1: The crowd stilled of moses words and nervously looked to the three men who led their rebellion. Moses zeroed in on Cora. He knew him well enough that he was the source of this scheming. Moses shrewdly noted that the attack against Aaron and himself would leave a Levite still in a position of spiritual authority over Israel. Cora had clearly offered the Reuben tribesman Moses's seat of power in exchange for them backing him as high priest. Moses sought to shake Cora out of his delusional, ambitious plans by reminding him of the last time someone sought an unearned position of spiritual authority. 00:16:37 Speaker 3: Corah, you and all your followers are to do this. 00:16:42 Speaker 10: Take fire pans, and tomorrow place fire in them and put incense on them before the Lord. 00:16:49 Speaker 3: Then the man the Lord jooses will be set apart. 00:16:53 Speaker 1: Moses held Cora's icy stare. He suddenly felt the strength of his grip return as he strangled the shaft of his staff. They were the hands that choked the life out of an Egyptian soldier. Yet Moses knew that this was not his battle to fight. It was the Lord's. 00:17:13 Speaker 3: You say, I go too far. It is you who have gone too far. 00:17:19 Speaker 6: Go now, all of you. 00:17:23 Speaker 3: Tomorrow we shall see the decision of the Lord. 00:17:27 Speaker 1: The crowd slowly started to disperse. Moses could not help but notice that Daithan and Abiram were among the first to depart. He would deal with them later. Cora remained where he was, unmoving, unnerved. His confidence was disturbing. He held his ground even as his supporters fell back. Yet, despite Cora's pride, Moses knew he had him cornered. Talking and scheming could only get one so far. Cora would find that leadership of God's people was more than mere politics. The people had gone. Even Aaron and Miriam had dispersed. Joshua remained at a short distance, but doubt a vera shot. It was Moses and Cora now in a standoff. 00:18:20 Speaker 3: Isn't your work at the Lord's tabernacle enough? You and your klan are already set apart and nearer to the Lord than anyone else. If you're pursuing the priesthood as well, this has clouded your judgments. 00:18:37 Speaker 7: Look upon the basis of those you've led astray you and all your followers. 00:18:46 Speaker 3: You have conspired against the lawn. As for Aaron, would you find for his office? Would you deny the appointment of the Lord? 00:18:56 Speaker 1: Cora's livid stare slid into a serpent life smile. That's when Moses understood what was truly happening. The same jealousy that had once plagued Cain had slithered its way into Cora's heart. 00:19:12 Speaker 9: I see. 00:19:14 Speaker 4: You won't relent. 00:19:16 Speaker 3: Doesn't matter what I say. 00:19:18 Speaker 4: I have said my peace. We will see how the Lord judges all of us tomorrow. 00:19:26 Speaker 1: Moses slipped into the large tent where Aaron and Miriam waited. 00:19:30 Speaker 11: What will happen tomorrow? 00:19:33 Speaker 1: Aaron was slumped over with weariness and drank deeply from the wine Miriam had poured them, but she could tell Moses anger was still silently churning within. 00:19:43 Speaker 3: We'll see if the Lord chooses different leadership. 00:19:46 Speaker 11: Yes, yes, but what of the tribe of Reuben men. Shouldn't we try to reason with them? They rallied support from nearly every tribe. We can diffuse the situation if we can get them to stand down. 00:20:00 Speaker 4: They've made their choices. O, Lord will decide. 00:20:04 Speaker 11: We have to try this test with the fire pants. Tomorrow will decide the priesthood. But what of your role, Moses. We can't have Deathan and Abim against you. It will divide the camp. There's already enough dissent. 00:20:19 Speaker 1: Miriam paste back and forth, and Aaron stroked his long beard, pondering. That's when Joshua entered with a somber look, Moses. 00:20:31 Speaker 11: Hi priest ere, just tell us, please, Joshua, what are the people saying? 00:20:37 Speaker 4: Sorry, Lady Miriam, they will not back down. 00:20:40 Speaker 1: I told you, Miriam shot Moses an incredulous look. 00:20:45 Speaker 11: What else did they say? 00:20:47 Speaker 4: They said? 00:20:48 Speaker 12: Is it not enough that you brought us up from a land flowing with milk and honey to kill us in the wilderness? Do you also have to avoid yourself as ruler over us. Ah, there's more. Then, they said, you didn't bring us to a land flowing with milk and honey, or give us an inheritance of fields and vineyards. Will you gouge out the eyes of these men? I'm not quite sure the meaning of that last bit, but they were not pleased. 00:21:17 Speaker 4: They accuse us of trying to blind the people to our true intentions, to deceive them. 00:21:27 Speaker 11: And apparently the promised land is behind us and not a head. They think the promised land was Egypt. They would have us back under the whips of our Egyptian masters if given half a chance. 00:21:44 Speaker 1: Moses slammed his cup down, rattling the table. 00:21:48 Speaker 11: Too far. 00:21:49 Speaker 3: They've taken all this too far. I will move against him, I will move against them. I'm done interceding. I'll call on the Lord and ask him to reject their offering. 00:22:02 Speaker 1: Miriam, Aaron, and Joshua gaped at Moses. The people had tested him time and time again, all of them at different times, but Moses had never turned against them. He had never asked the Lord to turn against them. Miriam's stomach twisted as she wondered how the Lord would respond to such a request from his prophet. All of Israel gathered at the entrance to the tabernacle courtyard, pressing in to catch a glimpse of the scene within. People peered through scenes and watched shadows move, straining to see how the Lord would judge the bold two hundred and fifty men, Moses and Aaron stood among them, preparing their firepans alongside the other candidates. The scent of incense from the two hundred and fifty two fire pans rose into the sky, mingling with the ever present pillar of cloud looming above. The camp fell silent, holding its breath. A winter wind swept through, causing the outer curtains of the courtyard to snap against their wooden frames. Yet no one looked away from the cloud, even as the wind clawded their skin and whipped their robes. Lightning began to crackle ominously within the cloud, followed by deep echoing thunder. Israel had sought a decision from the Lord, and his answer was coming. 00:23:39 Speaker 5: In this story, the chosen people have the same desires we often have, don't They The desire to be seen, to be chosen, to be in control. But in this story, Corah crosses a line. Let's pause for a moment and ask why this Bible story is so significant, why's it cut so deeply into. 00:23:58 Speaker 11: The heart of Israel. 00:23:59 Speaker 5: The first verse in this chapter begins with two Hebrew words vaikach korach, which is translated as and Korach took. The problem is the Bible doesn't tell us exactly what Korak took. Many English translations and certain words here to try and say what Korak took, but the original Hebrew doesn't actually say it. The great Jewish commentator Rashi has a very interesting suggestion. He says that since the Bible doesn't say what Korak took, it must mean that kork took himself. 00:24:33 Speaker 3: What does that even mean? 00:24:34 Speaker 5: Where did Korak take himself? Well, Rashi explains that Korch took himself aside to oppose Moses and Erin, and in fact, to oppose a vast majority of the Chosen people, and so began the revault in the desert against Moses and Aaron, God's chosen leaders. Jewish tradition draws a very important lesson from these chapters, an important lesson about the horrible effects of strife. The first step in Communal strife happens when one person, even a very accomplished, promising person, takes himself or herself off to one side to oppose the others. Once the seeds of disunity are sown, they are hard to call back. Disunity gives way to wild accusations, as we see in this chapter, and can even lead to collapse of the entire group or society. So no, Korak didn't actually take anything of value. He did something much worse. He took himself away from his own congregation, causing strife and discord, the very worst kind of taking, and that is still a very important lesson for us today. The story also begins with another name, Owen's, son of Peleth. Ownes's name appears in the opening of this rebellion, but then he disappears. Why While Jewish tradition teaches that Own's wife intervened. She saw the folly of Corah's uprising and urged her husband to step back, to turn away from the rebellion. She told him, what will you gain by following kora On? Listening to her wisdom, he left the rebellion, and he saved. And he was saved by the counsel of his wife. What a powerful reminder of the importance of who we surround ourselves with, especially our partners. A wise and loving spouse can help us see what we might be too blind to recognize. Ohene's wife saved him from destruction because she had the clarity that he lacked, and Owen had a humble heart that listened as a mother for one of the most important lessons that I worked very hard to instill in my children is not to be a complainer. And it's a lesson that needs to be taught over and over because children complain sometimes, don't they all of them. It's only natural. The way I see it, there are two main reasons that people complain. First is selfish. I might make a dinner that is the favorite dinner of one of my kids, but another kid wanted something else, and so is that a reason to complain. The second reason that people complains that they don't see the big picture. They don't see the full reasoning behind a decision that was made. So every time one of my kids complains about decision that my husband or I make, I ask them why they think we made that decision, and then I tell them that their complaint will only be heard if they're also proposing a solution to the problem. They have to propose a solution that makes sense for everyone involved, because my husband and I came up with the decision because it was the best thing we could decide. The reason I bring this up is because today's story is all about complaining, isn't it. First Korah and his mob complained about the special status of Moses and Aaron. But this complaint only makes sense if we ignore the fact that it was God himself who chose Moses and Aaron for their roles. Their entire nation, including Korach and his mob, had heard God speak to Moses at Sinai, so really their complaint showed a lack of trust in God. Then the rebels complained that they were still in the desert and they hadn't entered the Promised Land, which showed that once again they didn't trust God's plan. And that's the biggest problem with complaining, isn't it. It reflects a complete lack of trust in God and his plans. It's one thing to ask questions of God. We've already seen people like Abraham and Moses ask why God acts the way he does. But even when they didn't fully understand God's plan for them, they didn't complain. Their trust in God remained steadfast. What a wonderful lesson for us today is the Chosen People. Don't you think? Here's the thing? We've only heard the first half of this story. The rebellion has begun, the lines are drawn, and Korch made his move. But what happens next? What will God do in response to this challenge? What will become of Korach and his followers? The second part of the story is coming, and trust me, you don't want to miss it. If you think this was intense, just stay tuned. What happens next will leave you breathless. 00:29:07 Speaker 1: You can listen to The Chosen People with Isle Eckstein ad free by downloading and subscribing to the Prey dot Com app today. This Prey dog comproduction is only made possible by our dedicated team of creative talents. Steve Katina, Max Bard, Zach Shellabarger and Ben Gammon are the executive producers of the Chosen People with Yil Eckstein, edited by Alberto Avilla, narrated by Paul Coltofianu. Characters are voiced by Jonathan Cotton, Aaron Salvato, Sarah Seltz, Mike Reagan, Stephen Ringwold, Sylvia Zaradoc and the opening prayer is voiced by John Moore. Music by Andrew Morgan Smith, written by Bree Rosalie and Aaron Salvato. Special thanks to Bishop Paulinier, Robin van Ettin, kayleb Burrows, Jocelyn Fuller, and the team at International Fellowship of Christians and Jews. You can hear more Prey dot com productions on the Prey dot com app, available on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. 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