Commentary on "Power Struggle"

PHIL HARRIS

 

Day 7: Friday, November 13, 2009

 

Overview

Quoted from today’s quarterly lesson summary:

The rebellion of Korah and his associates against Moses and Aaron was so deep-seated that God had to destroy them and their followers by earthquake, fire, and plague. This account should serve as a warning against envy and jealousy, as did the memorial bronze plates on the altar. If we would pray for our leaders and cherish what God has done for them and us, we may be spared the internal troubles that beset ancient Israel in Korah’s uprising.

 

Observations

It was not an earthquake that destroyed Korah, Dothan and Abiram along with their families. Numbers 16:30-32 clearly states that “the Lord creates something new, and the ground opens its mouth and swallows them up”. This something new was not an earthquake. Clearly this should have warned the people that the destruction came from God. It was not natural phenomena nor could it have been the work of Moses or Aaron.

In Numbers 16:35 it says that the fire that destroyed the 250 men “came out from the Lord”, not from heaven, as stated earlier this week in the teacher’s edition of the lesson. The Bible places the focus on who the fire came from, not where it came from. It was a holy God sinful men were approaching and it was God who responded.

Now we need to back up to the beginning of today’s lesson and look at the quote from Ellen White which includes the following statement: “I question whether genuine rebellion is ever curable. . . .”.

This reflection of hers is totally unbiblical and very close to heresy. Yes, with mankind this is our true condition, but the person and work of Jesus Christ was for the very purpose of ending our rebellion. While there are a multitude of examples that can be given, both in Scripture and within modern times, we need only look at the life of the apostle Paul to understand that there is a cure. We see that Paul was initially and totally committed to the destruction of the Christian faith. He was in complete rebellion against the will of God.

In Acts 8:1 we see where Saul (Paul) approved the stoning of Stephen. Then, on his way to Damascus with the intention of murdering Christians, Jesus Christ intervenes:

But Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. Now as he went on his way, he approached Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. And falling to the ground he heard a voice saying to him, "Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?" And he said, "Who are you, Lord?" And he said, "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. "But rise and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do." (Acts 9:1-6 ESV)

Rebellion in the life of Paul ended on the road to Damascus. The rebellion our Savior brought to an end in the life of Paul is available to each and every person on this earth. Enough said!

 

Summary

1. The practice of misquoting the Bible, intentionally or otherwise, such as “earthquake” instead of “the ground opens its mouth” or fire from “heaven” instead of from “God” introduces the danger of not understanding and applying important Biblical lessons. Only God creates. When “the ground opens its mouth”’ this was proof for those willing to see that God had acted. Fire from God that killed the 250 men points to the holiness of God that sinful men cannot approach without the covering of the blood of Jesus Christ.
2. The life and testimony of the apostle Paul clearly demonstrates that the blood of Jesus Christ has provided a cure, the only cure, a perfect and complete cure, for the rebellion of mankind.

 

 

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The Sabbath School Bible Study Guide and the corresponding E.G. White Notes are published by Pacific Press Publishing Association, which is owned and operated by the Seventh-day Adventist church. The current quarter's editions are pictured above.

 

Official Adventist Resources

Standard Edition Study Guide Week 7

Teacher's Edition Study Guide Week 7

Easy Reading Edition Study Guide Week 7

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