The heart, physically and spiritually, is the center of our very being. Yeshua spoke of the good and evil treasure of the heart depending on the words and actions of the person (Luke 6:45). What is the condition of our hearts today?
In this week’s Torah Portion we meet a particular man whose heart was not in the right place and we know this by both his words and actions. His name is Korah and he led 250 leaders of Israel in a rebellion against Moses and Aaron (Num. 16). Moses’ response to Korah and the rebels was very simple. He told Korah and the group to take censers and put fire in them with incense. Moses exclaimed that God Himself would judge who is right on the morning of the next day.
Korah and the rebels did as Moses said and the following day they came and stood at the doorway to the tent of meeting. God’s anger burned against the Israelites and he wanted to destroy them all but Moses and Aaron pleaded with God and God told them to tell the people to separate themselves from the tents of Korah, Dathan, and Aviram. The people did so and at Moses’ word the earth opened its mouth and swallowed up these men, their families, and all that stood with them. Fire also came out from the LORD and consumed the 250 men who burned incense. This scene is similar to what happened to Aaron’s two sons (Lev. 10:1-2).
The story of Korah and this mob of rebels against Moses and Aaron was in essence a rebellion against God. Their hearts were not right before God and He judged these men accordingly.
In the Psalms we read of a fascinating contrast to Korah and these rebels. At least eleven Psalms are credited to the “sons of Korah:” Psalm 42, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 84, 85, 87, 88. How do the sons of Korah survive when it seems that the families of these rebel leaders perished (Num. 16:25-30)?
It appears that although the families of Dathan and Aviram stood with them at their tents, the family of Korah is not mentioned (Num. 16:27). This is also confirmed in the Scriptures; “The sons of Korah, however, did not die.” (Num. 26:11). Thus the sons of Korah did not stand with the rebellion of their father. Today we have the record of their words in the Psalms.
In contrast to the rebellion of their father, Psalm 84 paints a beautiful picture of submission to the God of Israel and longing for His presence. The sons of Korah state that they would rather stand at the threshold of the house of God then dwell in the tents of the wicked (84:10). This verse is perhaps a reminder of the judgment on Korah (their own father) and those who stood with him. The hearts of Korah’s sons were good.
In Proverbs 14:30 it is recorded:
“A tranquil heart is life to the body, but passion is rottenness to the ones”
This verse is more accurately translated this way:
“A healing heart is life to the body, but jealousy (envy) is rottenness to the bones.”
The envy and jealousy of Korah towards Moses and Aaron brought death. The sons of Korah, however, sought healing with God and the community of Israel, which brought life to themselves and the generations after them.
Let us forsake jealousy and envy in our hearts and cultivate a healing heart, which brings life!
Shabbat Shalom!
Torah Reading: Numbers 16:1-18:32
Haftarah Reading: 1 Samuel 11:14-12:22