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THE CHARACTER OF APOSTASY (VII)
THURSDAY, APRIL 16
Jude 11
Numbers 16:1-35
 
“… they have … perished in the
gainsaying of Core.”
 
THE CHARACTER OF APOSTASY (VII)
 
The third character mentioned by Jude is Core (or Korah). The word “gainsaying” (Jude 11) has the sense of opposition or rebellion, and refers here to that rebellion against the authority of Moses and Aaron which was instigated by Korah and others. The incident is recorded for us in Numbers 16.
 
Korah, Dathan, and Abiram, together with 250 “princes of the assembly,” confronted Moses and Aaron and charged them with taking too much upon themselves (in terms of their holy service to God), and elevating themselves “above the congregation of the LORD” (Num 16:1-3). They complained that Moses had made himself “a prince” over them (Num 16:13), when in reality they sought that prestige and authority for themselves. They were an Old Testament echo of the apostates who “despise dominion” (Jude 8).
 
The sin of rejecting anyone whom God has appointed to a position of authority is very serious in God’s eyes. The command had been given to Israel, “Honour thy father and thy mother” (Exod 20:12); and the duty enjoined in that commandment extends beyond the family to the whole society. Moses was God’s appointed leader, and Aaron God’s appointed priest. To oppose them was to oppose God ‒ and to court His judgment. Just as Sodom was destroyed by brimstone and fire out of heaven, as an example to all generations, so also Korah was made an example by God. “And the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed them up, and their houses, and all the men that appertained unto Korah, and all their goods” (Num 16:32).
 
The false teachers now infiltrating and polluting the church, Jude warns, will perish for their rebellion just as certainly as Korah did for his. Dear reader, beware of anyone who seeks to stir up dissent in the church, and anyone who sows seeds of discontent against the leaders of the church. Yes, even godly pastors and elders are capable of error, and sometimes need to be rebuked or corrected; but there are biblical, God-honouring ways to do this. Note well Jude’s warning concerning these apostates: “Woe unto them!” (Jude 11). And woe to all who follow them!
 
THOUGHT: I must honour those whom God has placed over me.
PRAYER: Help me, O Lord, to honour my father and my mother.

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