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Date: Tue, 27 Jun 1995 09:43:32 +0200
Reply-To: Christian explanation of the Scriptures to Israel
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From: Teus Benschop
Subject: The Scriptures opened, 37
To: Multiple recipients of list CHR-EXP
Contents
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Numbers 16, Korah, Dathan and Abiram, the rebels
Isaiah 40, part 6, God, the Only God, incomparable
1 Corinthians 1:26-31, Not the wise are called but the foolish
Numbers 16, Korah, Dathan and Abiram, the rebels
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Weekly reading: Num 16:1-18:32
1 Now Korah, the son of Izhar, the son of Kohath, the son of Levi,
and Dathan and Abiram, the sons of Eliab,
and On, the son of Peleth, sons of Reuben, took [men].
2 And they rose up before Moses,
with certain of the children of Israel,
two hundred and fifty princes of the assembly,
famous in the congregation, men of renown.
In this chapter, Numbers 16, we have the revolt of Korah and his
mates. They rose up against Moses and Aaron, saying that they also
were holy, and therefore also could lead the people. The very fact
that they arose against the leaders Moses and Aaron, leaders appointed
by God; that very fact falsified their claim that they were holy. For,
holy men revolt not. Korah, Dathan and Abiram however, not being holy,
but unholy, rose up against their leaders, saying that they were holy.
They also said, in verse three, that "the LORD was among them". As if
God is a Leader of revolutionaries. They had done better, and they had
spoken the truth, when they said that Satan was in their midst. Satan
is the revolutionary of the beginning, and the head of all rebellions.
But, as always, when men become proud, they imagine that they are
religious, and that they are holy, and they stand up against God's
servants.
When Moses heard these things, "he fell upon his face", verse five.
He did not defend his own office, but he said that the LORD would make
known, tomorrow, whom He had chosen, and who were the true holy men.
Moses defended not his own cause, but he laid it in the hands of Him,
Who knows all, and Who is the Righteous One. He will make known who is
His true servant.
The rebels were Levites. They already were chosen to the service of
the tabernacle of the LORD. They were not content with this.
Therefore, they sought also the priesthood. Pride drove them to this.
They were not content with their own position, but sought something
higher. This always is the cause of revolutions. The people are no
longer content, but they rebel against the rulers. Those rulers are
appointed by God. Who therefore rebels against those rulers, in
reality rebels against God Himself. Undoubtedly, their punishment will
be the same as Korah's punishment: the earth opened its mouth and
devoured him and his mates.
They complained that Moses has led them out of Egypt, a land "that
flows with milk and honey", as they say (verse 13). Also, according to
the complainers, Moses had not brought them in Canaan, a land of milk
and honey. What? Had Moses not brought them into that good land, they
say? Were they then forgotten, that they had not entered because of
their unbelief? What an unthankfulness; what a pride and
forgetfulness! First, they believed not, and then they rebel against
Moses and Aaron, saying "that they are holy". We see, that people of
short memory, through their spiritual blindness, forget their own
sins, and begin to complain about others. Moses has not brought them
into Canaan, they say! Had they but believed when they stood before
the borders of the land, when they had sent out the spies, then they
had been already in Canaan. What troubles does the unbelief bring!
To decide the matter, Moses said that they had to come with their
censer, and with incense therein, before the LORD, verse 17. Then God
would make known who were His true servants, and who not. The result
is known. The glory of the LORD appeared unto all the congregation.
The ground that was under Korah, Dathan and Abiram, clave asunder. And
the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed them up. They went down in
the pit, and the earth closed her mouth above them. Away were the
rebels; they were livingly gone down. Moreover, a fire came out from
the LORD, and consumed the two hundred and fifty rebellious Levites,
who offered incense.
This was God's judgement. In this chapter, a true picture is given us,
of what happens to the disobedient. In Moses' times, God directly
punished them, but in our times, He often delays it. But surely, the
punishment will come. Might the people more think about this. That
would learn much from the examples, written down in the Bible. It is
better to subject yourself to the ruling powers than to rebel against
them. Also walking with banners through the streets, and
demonstrating, is a kind of rebellion. The matter is so, because the
demonstrators skip the normal paths to make their will known to the
government. In a democratic system, the inhabitants can choose their
party, which is the common way to have influence on the government.
But the demonstrators, not being content herewith, take the right in
own hand, and rebel against the authorities. Let the example of Korah,
Dathan and Abiram warn them. Maybe, God will not punish the matter
directly, but the time will surely come. Let the people, instead of
drifting over the streets, do some good work, as helping the needy, do
some voluntary work, but above all, do God's will.
Isaiah 40, part 6, God, the Only God, incomparable
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20 He that is so impoverished that he hath no oblation chooseth a tree
that will not rot; he seeketh unto him a cunning workman to prepare a
graven image, that shall not be moved.
The previous verse spoke about the cast image, namely for the rich.
The impoverished makes not a golden image, but one of wood. No matter
how poor one is, he must needs transgress God's commandment! Even when
he must take the bread out of his mouth, an image he will have! How do
they dare. They must seek a cunning workman, lest the image be moved
and falls down. How do they dare comparing God with such an image.
21 Have ye not known? have ye not heard? hath it not been told you
from the beginning? have ye not understood from the foundations of the
earth?
They are making images as if they have never heard of the one God, who
laid the foundations of the earth. They compare the eternal God with a
shaky image. Truly, these people are dull; they don't know God.
22 It is he that sitteth upon the circle of the earth, and the
inhabitants thereof are as grasshoppers; that stretcheth out the
heavens as a curtain, and spreadeth them out as a tent to dwell in:
Here we have the answer on the question "Who has created all these
things?" The answer is: it is God, who sits upon the circle of the
earth. The prophet compares God's greatness with the littleness of the
inhabitants of the earth. They are but grasshoppers, compared with
God, Who sits in heaven. When we look up, we see the blue sky. God has
stretched it out as a blue curtain, and He spreads it out as a tent to
dwell in. In truth it may be said, with David, "The heavens declare
the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork." (Psalms
19:1)
23 That bringeth the princes to nothing; he maketh the judges of the
earth as vanity.
The mighty men of the earth think that they will subdue all nations.
But they forget that there is still a God, Who is King of kings. He
brings all proud princes to nothing. Their wars fail; their economy
collapses; they are brought to nought. Also the judges; they are made
vanity. They commonly have the might to acquit or to condemn. In God's
sight however, they are vanity. God is the Judge of judges, who has
the last word in all matters. When God brings the princes to nothing,
and also the judges, how much more does He annihilate the common man!
Let we keep this in mind. We are less then vanity before God.
24 Yea, they shall not be planted; yea, they shall not be sown: yea,
their stock shall not take root in the earth: and he shall also blow
upon them, and they shall wither, and the whirlwind shall take them
away as stubble.
When the prophet says that the rulers and the high people not shall be
planted, and that they not shall be sown, he means that they not will
be confirmed in their office. "Their stock shall not take root in the
earth", says he; what means the same. They shall not be confirmed in
their power. He also uses the picture of the whirlwind. As soon as
God's wind blows upon them, they will wither. You can see it around
you. Yesterday, that man was healthy; he had a fit colour in his face.
But as soon as God comes, and blows with His wind upon him, he
withers. He becomes sick; he gets an unhealthy face. In short, he
withers like the plants in the hot sunshine. And when they are
withered, they loose their firmness. When then God sends His
whirlwind, they are taken away as stubble. Men is taken out of the
dust of the earth, and he will return to dust.
25 To whom then will ye liken me, or shall I be equal? saith the Holy
One.
They had made images, dishonouring God and transgressing His laws. God
cannot be compared with anyone. "There is none like unto the God of
Jeshurun, [who] rideth upon the heaven in thy help, and in his
excellency on the sky." (Deuteronomy 33:26)
I cannot be compared with anyone, says the Holy One. We see here
that God calls Himself the Holy One. That is, He is so holy that He
cannot be compared with anyone. He is so Holy, that He has nothing to
do with our sins. The people have to keep in mind, that God is Holy,
and that they, therefore, ought to be also holy. "I am the LORD your
God: ye shall therefore sanctify yourselves, and ye shall be holy; for
I am holy: neither shall ye defile yourselves". (Leviticus 11:44) We
often forget that God is holy. We think that He is like a man, winking
at our transgressions. But who thinks this, is severely deceiving
himself. When he continues herein, he runs headlong into destruction.
The greatest part of mankind compares God with a man, thinking that He
will overlook their little sins. In early times, Israel made idols to
worship God thereby. But now, they make idols in another sense, namely
by comparing God with a man. In early times, they depicted God by
images. Now, they distort His essence by saying that He overlooks our
sins. Will the people never forsake making images?
26 Lift up your eyes on high, and behold who hath created these
things, that bringeth out their host by number: he calleth them all by
names by the greatness of his might, for that he is strong in power;
not one faileth.
Lift up your eyes on high. Look to the creation, people, and behold
Who has created these things. Heaven and earth, the whole universe is
created by God. Perhaps, when beholding those things, you might have
any idea about His majesty. He counts all the stars by number. We,
people cannot count them, even not with the most modern equipment. But
God, the Creator of them, knows them. He calls them by names, for He
is great. He keeps the universe in its state, and governs the course
of their celestial bodies.
27 Why sayest thou, O Jacob, and speakest, O Israel, My way is hid
from the LORD, and my judgement is passed over from my God?
Jacob and Israel are two names for the same nation. The Israelites
said: "My way is hid from the LORD". They mean, that is seems as if
God does not know them. Their life is hid from the LORD. They are in
fact as a dead one, who lies under the earth. The coming exile to
Babel is compared with being buried in the ground. They think that
they are out of the sight of God there. Moreover, they say, that their
judgement is passed over from their God. That is, God does not give
them the right. But the prophet answers: "Why do you say this, people?
You are wrong. God knows about you. Though the coming exile is a
punishment of your sins, yet, God will not forget you".
28 Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, [that] the everlasting
God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not,
neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding.
God has always taken care for His people. Why then should He forsake
you now? Do you not know that God doesn't change? He faints not,
neither is weary. How, people, can you think that God will forget you?
He is always the Same; He changes not. Though you and your fathers
have despised Him, He will not forsake the works of His hands. He will
punish you, that is right, but He will not utterly destroy you. A
remnant will be left. The prophet, before the coming exile, comforts
them with God's unchangingness.
"There is no searching of His understanding", says the prophet.
Gods ways are higher then our ways. We cannot understand His
directions. When all seems to go wrong in our lives, we may be
comforted by knowing that God governs all. Let we not think that we
can understand God. When it seems that all things end in destruction,
we may know that God leaves over His remnant.
29 He giveth power to the faint; and to [them that have] no might he
increaseth strength.
God gives power to the weak. Are you, reader, tired of this world? Are
you fed up with your own sins? Have you sinned very long, and do you
wish to be reconciled with God? "Come unto me, all ye that labour and
are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." (Matthew 11:28) Listen to
God, Who will give you power. Are you worn-out? Listen: God increases
strength to them that have no longer any might.
30 Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall
utterly fall:
31 But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew [their] strength; they
shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary;
[and] they shall walk, and not faint.
In these last two verses of the chapter, we see the difference between
the people who lack the trust of the LORD, and who wait upon Him. The
unbelievers will faint and be weary, but they that wait upon the LORD
shall renew their strength. The prophet says: "even the youths shall
faint". Young people often are full of strength; they are flourishing.
The prophet uses their example. Even those, who commonly flourish,
when they not wait upon the LORD, even those shall faint and be weary.
The young men shall utterly fall. That is the result of not knowing
the Lord. The ungodly and wicked shall utterly fall and never stand
up. But those who put their trust in the LORD shall renew their
strength. They shall mount up with wings as eagles. We know that the
eagles fly very fast. He speedily flies through the ear, and reaches
enormous heights. Like the fast eagles, so will the believers be. Who
waits upon the Lord will not lack strength. "They shall run, and not
be weary; they shall walk, and not faint". That is the part of God's
children. They seek strength in their LORD, Whom they serve. They
trust in Him, and will never be ashamed. Who trusts in own strength
shall utterly fall, but we shall stand upright. "Wait on the LORD: be
of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on
the LORD." (Psalms 27:14)
1 Corinthians 1:26-31, Not the wise are called but the foolish
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Paul, speaking about the rejection and acceptance of the Gospel, comes
to the conclusion that the Greek seek wisdom, and the Jews signs, but
that the called believe Christ crucified. Christ is a stumblingblock
to the Jews, foolishness to the Greeks, but for the called He is power
and wisdom of God.
26 For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men
after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, [are called]:
To prove his saying, Paul points to the congregation. They can see it
with their own eyes. They consist not of many wise men after the
flesh, not many mighty, nor many noble. It were the simple, of whom
the Christian congregations consisted mostly. They were not wise in
the world's vain eyes. They had no power, which blocks often the
belief. They were no nobles, but simple men. The people of the world
have no time to engage in these things. The Jews sought their own
righteousness.
27 But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound
the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound
the things which are mighty;
The wise think that they are wise, but in vain. The powerful think to
have much might, but they deceive themselves. To show that, God has
chosen the foolish things, to confound the wise and mighty. All their
wisdom and might must perish in God's presence.
28 And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath
God chosen, [yea], and things which are not, to bring to nought things
that are:
God turns all upside down. The proud people will be abased by Him. The
despised things has He chosen. The things which are not has he brought
into being. The things which are has He brought to nought. Let all
vain glory perish in God's presence. Let all boasting in own flesh be
silenced.
29 That no flesh should glory in his presence.
When a work is accomplished, and we ascribe some part of it to
ourselves, then we take at the same moment some glory away from God.
The more we honour ourselves, the more we dishonour God. In the
salvation of the sinner, all work is done by God, in order that He
gets all the honour. Salvation, merited by our own works, takes God's
glory away, and gives all glory to ourselves. Salvation however, out
of pure grace, exalts God's Name the most. The Jewish doctrine,
therefore, is execrable. Salvation earned partly by ourselves, highly
dishonours God. They say: "we and God work together." Just as if a man
is God's equal! Let we therefore reject that doctrine, and adhere to
the salvation out of pure grace. Why? That no flesh should glory in
His presence.
30 But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us
wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:
Christ Jesus is made unto us, believers, wisdom of God. That means, He
is the Source of all wisdom. He brings us back to God, and gives us
the fear of the LORD. The fear of the LORD is the beginning of all
wisdom. It is Jesus' work to give us that.
Further, He is made unto us righteousness. That is, while we are
unrighteous in God's sight, Jesus' righteousness is put in our stead.
Our sinful natures are counted unto Him, and are punished in Him. But
His righteousness is counted unto us, in order that we are counted
righteous before the LORD. That is it, what is also said of Abraham:
"And he believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for
righteousness." (Genesis 15:6) Abraham's belief in the Lord Jesus was
counted to him for righteousness.
Christ Jesus is also made unto us sanctification. That is, through
His power, we daily are sanctified. We must be transformed from a
great sinner to one who is more holy. That is done through the belief
in Christ Jesus. He is our sanctification; not our works are our
sanctification before God. People may sometimes think that they are
holy, but they are wrong. Nobody is holy, but he who is and stays in
Christ.
He is made unto us redemption. For, He delivers us from all
distresses and evils of this world, of ourselves, of our enemies.
Through Him, we are in principle delivered from evil, though we still
daily are attacked by sin. We are delivered in principle, but the full
redemption will be then, when we always will be with Him.
31 That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory
in the Lord.
All honour in our deliverance is ascribed unto God, like it is
written: "Thus saith the LORD, Let not the wise [man] glory in his
wisdom, neither let the mighty [man] glory in his might, let not the
rich [man] glory in his riches: But let him that glorieth glory in
this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the LORD which
exercise lovingkindness, judgement, and righteousness, in the earth:
for in these things I delight, saith the LORD. (Jeremiah 9:23,24) Let
nobody glory in himself, but let him glory in the Lord. All honour is
due to Him, for He delivered us from all evil. Let we therefore praise
the LORD, Who filled our hearts with love. The ungodly never
experience this, but God's children know what it is, to be delivered
from all sin. They say with David the words of "this song in the day
that the LORD delivered him from the hand of all his enemies, and from
the hand of Saul: And he said, I will love thee, O LORD, my strength."
(Psalms 18:1) They are far from ascribing any glory to themselves, but
praise the Lord. I will heartily love Thee, O Lord, my Strength.
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Teus Benschop | t.benschop@pobox.ruu.nl | editor of the list Chr-Exp
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