This proves it. It is not always a case of "like father, like son". The Sons of Korah quit themselves like men and so did many of their descendants thereafter.
Korah was of the Levitical tribe of Kohath. The Kohathites were in charge, rather "ordained," to take care of the Tabernacle implements as well as the Ark of the Covenant. This was a very holy and sacred "job". Or, to put it in a more God-honored term, "ministry".
"Ministry" implying it comes from a willing heart of love and gratitude to God their Father, as opposed to "job" being an obligatory duty one must preform.
Even with such a high ministry, Korah aimed for the priesthood of Aaron and sons. He wanted to know who had made them (& Moses, for that matter), "Boss". So in insolent revolt he rounded up three others of similar sentiment and they stirred up two hundred and fifty community leaders, forming a conspiracy against Moses and Aaron, to protest the issue.
What made it worse was that Korah was Moses' relative; a nephew. However, Moses did not play cronyism. He meekly sought God in the matter.
God was very displeased with Korah and these wicked upstarts. He dealt with them very quickly and decisively. There was an earthquake that swallowed up Korah, Dathan, Abiram and their belongings. Fire came out of Heaven and consumed the two hundred and fifty men (Numbers 16). In terror, the rest of the assembly of Israelites fled.
With such an infamous father as Korah, what was the effect upon his sons' souls? They had made a choice to fear God and walk in His ways, and to honor His authority and the role He'd given them.
Remarkable!
Scripture does not say why they had not been swallowed up by the ground as had their father but years later, out of the ashes of disgrace, shame and shards of rebellion, came forth submission, worship and praise to God their Heavenly Father. Get this, eleven Psalms are attributed to them.
What's more, we can see they "panted" and "thirsted...for the living God" (Psalm 42:1, 2).
Oh yes, they had had tears, they had been "disturbed" within themselves; they had been, "downcast" as if the breakers of the sea had bashed over and over them. Yet, they'd learned to put their "hope in God". They'd "loved to go to God's house" and that with "shouts of joy and praise among the festive throng".
Their foes had taunted them, and that, "all day long".
Yet, these Sons of Korah, had learned to stand with dignity as in Psalm 42:11 (NIV), which is beautiful. They direct,
"...Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise Him, my Savior and my God."
Do you know what is so wonderful about the Sons of Korah? They had learned to be thankful. They were content with their "ministry" and felt the honor of that position of caring for the Tabernacle's holy implements and the Ark of the Covenant. Years later, they were seen as doorkeepers and custodians of the Temple. Furthermore, during King David's time they became renown for their choral and orchestral talents. They were such men as: Asaph, Jeduthan and Heman.
Father God, I thank You that despite any of our ancestor's behavior, we can put our hope and trust in You and in Your Son, Jesus, our Savior. Any stigma that may fall on our shoulders because of what a parent or grandparent or some other relative has done in the past or is doing even in the present, that we do not need to be defined by that.
Yes, we may be bowed down in shame and devastation for a while, Father. Lift us up as we put our hope in You.
May our rebellious hearts learn to humbly submit to Your authority in our lives; making conscious effort with the Lord's help. Then we can learn, as the Sons of Korah, did, to be content and grateful with the ministry you ordain us to do and to sing Your praises while engaged in Your work. May it be our "family business" forte and not seen as a job of duty and obligation.
Give us that intense longing to meet with You, to pour out our souls in song to You even when things get tough in our lives. Remind us, Your offspring, that we do not need to be like our fathers who may have done/do nefarious deeds.
Heavenly Father, we do want to be like You though and put our hope in You.
In Jesus most precious name we praise, pray and petition.
~ERC December 2020~
Based on Psalm 42.
Sing, To Be Like You, along with Hillsong Worship singers.
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