Being Satisfied With Our Portion (Korach)
(Korach, 5763)
Through the whole first portion of the book of Bamidbar we have seen a focus on the structure of the community of Israel, including its organization and its various functions. It reflects G-d creating distinctions in this “new humanity” similar to the way in which G-d, by separating or creating distinctions in the physical world brought order out of the chaos of creation’s beginnings (Bereshit, 1). And just as by doing so in the beginning, now, G-d has ordered a blessing in the distinctions he has created in His people Israel.
But into that order comes a contrary force. Korach and his cohorts seek to disturb the order and peace which those very distinctions serve to protect, and why? Because they covet that which has been given to another by G-d. He says; "You have gone far enough, for all the congregation are holy, every one of them, and the LORD is in their midst; so why do you exalt yourselves above the assembly of the LORD?" (Num 16:3,NAS) He uses the argument that insists that everyone is equal therefore everyone has the right to do whatever they choose on their own. He fails to see that it is G-d Himself who has ordered things this way, even accusing Moses of advancing himself for his own benefit.
But it is not Moses who has ordered things this way. G-d has determined the roles each of His children will play in the kingdom He has created. And even though Korach is correct when he says that all the congregation is holy, never the less they are not all the same. When we choose to blur the boundaries that G-d establishes we too bring chaos where G-d has ordered blessing.
It begins when we covet the position, honor or distinction which belongs to another. It is interesting to note that the tenth commandment is “You shall not covet…”. This is the motivation for the breaking of just about all the other commandments. When we decide that we want what has been given to another, when we decide that we should take, even by force if necessary, what we might otherwise receive from another, we bring in curse instead of blessing.
What it seems that Korach really wants is not to be the servant that Aaron and his sons are called to be, but rather the honor that he perceived they would have being the priests of Israel. But with every great position, comes great responsibility as well. Was Korach willing to pay the price for being a priest? It recalls to mind the discussion Messiah Yeshua had with the two sons of Zebedee. In this case their mother comes to advocate for them. She asks; "Command that in Your kingdom these two sons of mine may sit, one on Your right and one on Your left.", (Matt 20:21,NAS). Somehow, she believes her sons worthy of this great honor. Yet are they the ones who G-d has selected?, and are they willing to pay the price for that honor? Yeshua teaches them that if one wants to be great in the kingdom of G-d, one must be willing to be the servant of all. When G-d sets leaders apart it is for the purpose of serving and blessing others.
Consider the case of King David. As a boy, G-d sends the prophet Samuel to anoint him as king over Israel. It is clear that G-d’s intention is that he be the leader of his people. Later, King Saul threatens the life of David unjustly, yet twice when David had Saul in his power he refused to kill him, rather he chose to continue as a fugitive rather than kill Saul, even though he knew that he was destined to be the King of Israel. Instead he humbled himself , choosing to accept what G-d had established and waiting for G-d to determine his future. He said; "Far be it from me because of the LORD that I should do this thing to my lord, the LORD'S anointed, to stretch out my hand against him, since he is the LORD'S anointed."(1 Sam 24:6, NAS). Because of his humility and his willingness to honor what G-d had established, David is given an immortal place in the kingdom of G-d.
In stark contrast to this is the episode of Korach. He is given his own place of greatness, yet it is not enough, he must have what belongs to another. Moses admonishes him for his presumption. He says; "Hear now, you sons of Levi, is it not enough for you that the God of Israel has separated you from the rest of the congregation of Israel, to bring you near to Himself, to do the service of the tabernacle of the LORD, and to stand before the congregation to minister to them; and that He has brought you near, Korach, and all your brothers, sons of Levi, with you? And are you seeking for the priesthood also?(Num 16:8-10, NAS)
It all ends badly. G-d established an order of things. He gave to Korach great honor, and privilege, yet it was not enough. By insisting on having that which belonged to another, he brought curse, instead of the blessing which G-d intended.
When we respect the order and distinctions which G-d Himself establishes we make it possible for G-d to use us in the way He determines. What each of us must learn is that we are given our own distinctions and roles in G-d’s kingdom, and that each is honorable and good in itself. We need not compare and covet, but rather learn to appreciate and respect what each of us is, and contributes to the order and shalom of G-d’s world.
Rabbi Tony Eaton, Jerusalem 2003