Egalitarian-ism: Nothing New Under the Sun

This morning's devotions led me to Numbers 16-18, the story regarding Korah's rebellion.  What struck me about it is that it was nothing more than an egalitarian movement. 

Korah and his posse contended that Moses and Aaron were not special and did not have a place of prominence or authority because everyone in the congregation of Israel was holy and that the LORD was among them all.  To be sure, there is a kernel of truth to this: All were holy and the Lord was among the whole lot of them.  Their mistake though--and what eventually led to their being swallowed up by the earth!--was their denial of the distinct position and role Moses and Aaron held as divinely appointed leaders.  In other words, the sanctity of the many does not negate the authoritative and hierarchical structure God has put in place.

What's more, the passage points out that what is truly behind Korah and Dathan's push for radical democratization.  Moses states, "Would you seek the priesthood also?"  Though they were attempting to flatten the leadership plain, what they were really attempting to do was gain a greater place of influence.  In short, their cry for equality was nothing more than a power grab.

This simply shows that there is nothing new under the sun.  Everywhere we look today we see people raging against any and all lines of authority.  Politicians seek to advance socialistic and communistic causes so as to bring down the division of rich and poor.  Feminists and their supporters wish to erase any scent of headship within the home, church or society.  The heretics disavow the fact that Christ was, by his divinely natural position, in submission to the Father (as is evidenced here).

Those chapters in Numbers go to great lengths to express that the Lord will not tolerate such notions and has most definitely established positions of prominence among men.  Korah and his gang met with a death that can only be described as "from the Lord's miraculous hand."  The radical nature of which was only for the purpose of illustrating that their actions was nothing more than utterly offensive.  This was followed by a plague within the rest of Israel because, for some reason, the people didn't get the message that Moses was the man in charge.  After that, God confirmed Aaron's role among the people with the budding of his staff--the budding being much more than a little sprout (It was virtually a full grown tree!).  Finally, just in case you haven't gotten the picture, the Lord establishes Aaron's preeminence in that he is to receive a special tithe.  This one being from the Levites.

What's comforting is that the passage rounds out with a message of grace to the people, particularly the Levites.  While Aaron's role is affirmed, God reminds him that he is to bear the iniquity of the people and offer sacrifices for their (the Levites!) purification.  As well, the role of the Levites is affirmed.  They continue, despite their recent actions, to maintain their role of prominence among the people of Israel.  Their rations are not even revoked as God states that they ought to continue receiving the first fruits of the people and hefty portions of the daily offerings for food.

So yes, God is a loving and forgiving God.  But he is also a God who has delineated certain lines of authority.  And He expects us to respect these roles--particularly His.  He knows that ultimately, any flattening of these roles is an attack on his position and an feeble attempt at usurping his authority.  As we tear down the walls of heirarchy, we expresss our yearning for power and desire to become like God.