Numbers 16:1-11
“Now Korah son of Izhar, son of Kohath, son of Levi, with Dathan and Abiram, sons of Eliab, and On son of Peleth, sons of Reuben, took 250 prominent Israelite men who were leaders of the community and representatives in the assembly, and they rebelled against Moses. They came together against Moses and Aaron and told them, You have gone too far! Everyone in the entire community is holy, and the Lord is among them. Why then do you exalt yourselves above the Lords assembly?
When Moses heard this, he fell facedown. Then he said to Korah and all his followers, Tomorrow morning the Lord will reveal who belongs to Him, who is set apart, and the one He will let come near Him. He will let the one He chooses come near Him. Korah, you and all your followers are to do this: take firepans, and tomorrow place fire in them and put incense on them before the Lord. Then the man the Lord chooses will be the one who is set apart. It is you Levites who have gone too far!
Moses also told Korah, Now listen, Levites! Isn’t it enough for you that the God of Israel has separated you from the Israelite community to bring you near to Himself, to perform the work at the Lords tabernacle, and to stand before the community to minister to them? He has brought you near, and all your fellow Levites who are with you, but you are seeking the priesthood as well. Therefore, it is you and all your followers who have conspired against the Lord! As for Aaron, who is he that you should complain about him?”

This chapter in Numbers contains yet another painful account documenting the brokenness of humanity. Dathan, Korah and Abiram, along with so many others, have seeds of discord sown in their hearts and jealousy ruining their love. They come desiring power, fame and recognition, thinking that positions of service among their brothers can be claimed, grabbed and stolen. They misunderstand the most basic nature of the priesthood, and imagine that it is some status or title that can be cheaply taken and applied to themselves. They do not understand what it means to be called and set apart for the sake of God. They do not understand the honor the whole assembly has been given, being included they way they already have been, in the plan of God to reveal Himself to the nations. And so, tragically, they rebell, jealous and accusing because they want what they perceive to be power and authority.

But when God calls an individual to serve as a minister, calling them out from the priesthood of all believers and into full time dedicated service, it is not done as an ego boost for the individual, but rather to honor and glorify God. It is never about the man behind the pulpit, but the Word that is spoken, and the One who spoke it. It is never about the woman who spends her days toiling in service in the Name of God, but it is for the glory of God that she serves as she ministers to other women or to the youth and children of the church. Some people are offended because women are not called out in Scripture to be preachers, but who are we to decide who God calls and how He chooses to use us in His service? All we can do is serve Him as He calls us to serve, according to His Word, and our ego cannot have anything to do with it. It is never about us. It is always about Him, because He is worthy to be honored and praised and served, not because He has an ego, but because He is the Sovereign Lord of all.

No preacher should ever look at the pulpit of another preacher and feel jealous. No minister should ever look at the resources God has given to someone else over what He has apportioned to him. The Lord has us all where He desires us to be, and so we serve Him In contentment, joy and with thanksgiving. We remain humble even as we lift Him up. We maintain an attitude of holiness, even as we see Him raise others up. We pay attention to the calling He has placed on our lives, and we learn our contentment from Him and His Spirit. Because it is never about any one of us. We have all been called to GoLove others in His Name, and it is always about His Name, and not some sin-influenced, human understanding of rank, status or entitlement. Our time here is far too short to be concerned with such petty things. Instead, we should serve the Lord faithfully, doing as He commands.