The Gospel of Korah

Moses was the man God had chosen. It was Moses whom God spoke to from the burning bush. It was Moses who stood before Pharoah, who carried the rod of God, whose face shone with Yahveh's glory, who spoke with the Lord, and who delivered the law to Israel. Moses was the appointed leader and mediator of God's covenant people, but Korah would not have it so. Korah and his company rebelled (Numbers 16). They would not have this man Moses to reign over them. Korah challenged Moses' authority, and ultimately challenged God's authority.

Of course, God's approval of Moses was shown. Korah is mentioned by Jude in his brief list of examples of those who come under the wrath of God. Jude speaks of fallen angels, the twin cities of Sodom and Gomorrah, of Cain, Balaam, and Korah. Cain's judgment was seen slowly through his lineage. Balaam's judgment was momentary. Sodom and Gomorrah stored up wrath. But Korah's judgment was sudden. The earth opened her mouth and swallowed Korah's company.

Korah's sin should not surprise us, the tenants of the Lord's vineyard were constantly rejecting God's servants (Mark 12:1-11). When the son came they said, "This is the heir, let us kill him." Judgment certainly awaits those who have rejected the Lord's Christ, but what is radically different about the appearance of the true Mediator between God and man is that instead of sudden judgment falling upon the guilty, it fell upon the innocent. The Son of God was swallowed in God's wrath while he cried, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” He was taken to the grave for them. In the case of Korah the ground was opened to demonstrate God's approval of Moses by consuming Korah, with Jesus it was opened as he came forth from the grave being declared as the Son of God though his resurrection and promising the end of death for all he came to save.