Moses was God’s appointed leader from the Exodus through the years of wilderness wandering. This forty year journey was filled with ups and downs, complaining and rejoicing, the Lord giving the Law, the Lord sending judgment, the people obeying, the people disobeying, rebellion, worship, sacrifices, Tabernacle building, and incredible miracles. It was quiet a journey at the end of which the generation that refused to enter the Promised Land had died.
A new day was now upon the new generation of Israelites. Time was drawing close for the people to exit the wilderness and began to settle in the Promised Land. God has proven His power to overcome their enemies on several occasions already. They will go in and possess the land. God will go before them. They will transition from wandering nomads to a sovereign nation with actual boundaries.
The new day would bring forth a new leader. It would be Joshua’s duty to lead the people into the Promised Land. Moses’ leadership was cut short due to his sin at the rock, but even this was part of God’s plan. Moses commissioned Joshua before the priest, bestowed him with authority before the people, and the Lord filled him with the Spirit. It’s a new day. God is leading. His plan is being fulfilled.
God brings about “new days” in our journey, “new days” in our lives, our families, and our churches. “New days” include saying “Goodbye” to some things and making transitions. Remember, however, it’s all part of God fulfilling His promises and providing for His people! The “new day” will be a better day if we are following the Lord!
About a year ago I saw that a Christian band had named themselves "Sons of Korah"! I remembered Korah of Numbers 26 first and thought, "WHY would any music group honor KORAH!?? But I did a little digging and figured out why these folks must have thought that the name would reflect their desire to praise God: the "Sons of Korah" were musicians involved with the writing of Psalms 42, 44-49, 84+85, 87+88. Songleaders under kings David and Solomon. Then I wondered, how do descendants of Korah even exist? He and all of his family died when the earth swallowed them up? (Num. 16:32) But a verse in our reading for today gave the clue: (Num. 26:11) "But the sons of Korah did not die." SO, maybe Korah's sons decided that they did not want to support their father's "cause" and backed away from his rebellion?? This would fit with Deut. 24:16, Josh. 7:24 and Ezek. 18:1-20 which all state that neither the fathers nor the children will be punished for the other's sins. Isn't it fascinating that these descendants of Korah (Levites) end up being part of the organization of worship in Israel? But why would they honor this particular ancestor, "sons of KORAH", instead of one of their more Godly predecessors, "sons of KOHATH" for instance?? I wondered if there could be more than one Korah, but the cross references all led me back to the same Korah. (I Chron. 6:16-48 gives the genealogy)
ReplyDeleteWe don't get to hear all of details of all of the stories HERE, and all of my questions don't get answers. Somewhere along the line I have to shake my head and say, "God is JUST" and HE gets to define justice, not me. Even when I wonder how Achan's family could all have been responsible and were condemned with their father (Josh. 7:24), but Korah's sons were not.
Maybe I need to focus on the amazing grace (that's a song, isn't it??) that can be found in the fact that these descendants of such a rebellious, divisive, grasping-for-honor man (Korah) are remembered in the Word as leaders of praise for God! It's like all of the less-than-honorable people that end up in the Messianic line. GRACE.
Still, I wouldn't chose "Sons of Korah" for the name of any band I was organizing!