Accusers
Young Cecilia lost her mother when she was 3 years of age. Since then she stayed with her grandmother. Her Aunt Heather looked after her. Aunt Heather mad sure she had enough money for things. She paid for Cecilia's school, bought her clothes, and bought her expensive gifts. All other Aunts pitched in occasionally but not as much as Heather.
One day when many of the Aunts were home. They approached Cecilia and started asking her about her relationship with Heather. In doing so, they started to tell her things about Heather so as to question Heather's best interest in Cecilia. Cecilia was now confused. Could they be right? Aunt Heather was like a mother to her. All the things they said made sense, but how could it be? How could Heather have deceived her all these years?
Cecilia decided to approach Heather and ask her. Needless to say, Heather was hurt that Cecilia would question her intentions. Wise grandmother was overhearing the conversation. She called Cecilia. Cecilia reluctantly came to her. Then grandmother said to Cecilia, "Some of the things that you're Aunts said may be true. I know. I raised them all. I also know that about sibling rivalry. I have siblings myself, and a few of us do not get along until now. My daughters are no different. It hurts me that they do not get along. It hurts me more that they are trying to use you to play games with each other. Aunt Heather loves you. The others are jealous of her. Where were they when you needed help and nurturing? Where were they when you needed someone to look after you? Never forget that. Aunt Heather has always been here for you. They have not. I love my daughters, but the truth is the truth." Cecilia cried and ran to Aunt Heather, hugged her and asked for forgiveness.
Behind many an accusation there is a hidden agenda. On the surface the reasons for the accusation may seem rational and logical, and even altruistic in nature. But, more often than not, there is underneath a self serving reason. Typically, the accuser is trying to position him/her to gain something. Even when the accusations are false the accuser is trying to gain something.
Such seems to be the case with Korah. We read in Numbers 16: 1 - 3,
Numbers 16
1Now 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:
2And 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:
3And they gathered themselves together against Moses and against Aaron, and said unto them, Ye take too much upon you, seeing all the congregation are holy, every one of them, and the LORD is among them: wherefore then lift ye up yourselves above the congregation of the LORD?
From an outsider point of view it may seem that way. Of course the accusations were false. God was not with them in the same way He was with Moses, had this been true they would have never rebelled against Moses and accuse him that way. It was not Moses decision to create a division of labor. It was God's decision based on the people's rejection of God's plan to make them all priests. It seems Korah thought that what God had appointed him to do was beneath him. Korah wanted more. This is what Moses implies in his response to the accusations in Numbers 16: 9 - 11,
Numbers 16
9Seemeth it but a small thing unto you, that the God of Israel hath separated you from the congregation of Israel, to bring you near to himself to do the service of the tabernacle of the LORD, and to stand before the congregation to minister unto them?
10And he hath brought thee near to him, and all thy brethren the sons of Levi with thee: and seek ye the priesthood also?
11For which cause both thou and all thy company are gathered together against the LORD: and what is Aaron, that ye murmur against him?
Moses unmasked Korah's real intention. Moses also told Korah that although he is accusing Moses and Aaron, Korah's rebellion is really against God. When the people rejected the prophet Samuel as Judge and asked for a King God told Samuel "… they have not rejected thee, but they have rejected me, that I should not reign over them" (1 Samuel 8:7). It is the same today. The same two things happening with those accusing God's appointed servants of wrong doing: 1. they have a hidden agenda and an ulterior motive, and 2. they are really rebelling against God. Next time you are accusing or accused keep this in mind.
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Raul Diaz
www.wolfsoath.com
