When I think of Korach/Korah, and his rebellion against the Lord, the famous saying of legendary Russian theater director Konstantin Stanislavski come to mind: “There are no small roles, only small actors.” Stanislavski required, or even demanded that every actor in his production committed to their part, no matter how important or unimportant it may have seemed to them. When you were cast, no matter the role you were cast for, on the stage each actor completed the vision, the staging, and ultimately the story portrayed. Even if you just walked across the stage at that one important moment to distract for a dramatic shift or set change, your part was vital to the whole.

In Numbers 16:1-2, the rebellion starts, with men of importance and renown gathering behind Korach/Korah moving against Moses:

וַיִּקַּח קֹרַח, בֶּן-יִצְהָר בֶּן-קְהָת בֶּן-לֵוִי; וְדָתָן וַאֲבִירָם בְּנֵי אֱלִיאָב, וְאוֹן בֶּן-פֶּלֶת–בְּנֵי רְאוּבֵן

וַיָּקֻמוּ לִפְנֵי מֹשֶׁה, וַאֲנָשִׁים מִבְּנֵי-יִשְׂרָאֵל חֲמִשִּׁים וּמָאתָיִם, נְשִׂיאֵי עֵדָה קְרִאֵי מוֹעֵד, אַנְשֵׁי-שֵׁם “

“Now Korah the son of Izhar, the son of Kohath, the son of Levi, with Dathan and Abiram the sons of Eliab, and On the son of Peleth, sons of Reuben, took men; and they rose up before Moses with some of the children of Israel, two hundred and fifty leaders of the congregation, representatives of the congregation, men of renown” (Num. 16:1-2).

In last week’s Torah portion we read of the devastating testimony of the ten spies who gave a false report to Israel, and the forty year judgment. Korach’s rebellion starts with an accusation, “Enough of you! For all the congregation is holy, all of them, and the Lord is in their midst. Why then do you lift yourselves above the assembly of the Lord?” (Num. 16:3).

Moses sees through this very quickly and responds, “He has brought you near to Himself, you and all your brothers, the sons of Levi, with you? Yet you seek the priesthood as well?” (Num. 16:10).

The Lord very quickly demonstrates that Moses and Aaron are the ones He has anointed for their purpose, consuming with fire the 250 leaders who came with Korach, while Korach himself was swallowed up by the earth. Nevertheless, the children of Israel came and accuse, the very next day, Moses and Aaron of killing the people of the Lord – and He settles this new question of leadership by causing the staff of Aaron to bring forth buds, and blossom and bring forth ripe almonds: the almond branch of resurrection.

The Living God brought forth fruit from a dead branch, a rod that Aaron had probably carried for many years. A staff that without a doubt had no life in it.

The sages of Israel question why Korach would be so bold as to believe he could overthrow the will of God in His choosing of Moses and Aaron for their respective roles.

We learn from the psalms that some of Korach’s sons did not join him in his rebellion, rebelling against the leadership and rebellion of their father, they did not die in the wilderness; as Psalms 42, 44–49, 84, 85, 87 and 88 are attributed to “sons of Korach.”

The rabbis explain that Korach had a vision of seeing his descendants serving in the Temple, and writing/singing songs and psalms of praise. This, they explain, led him to believe that he would be victorious in his rebellion.

Yet, the Lord demonstrated that His choice had not changed. No matter the “prophetic” vision, if it does not line up with the revealed will of God, it is not from Him. How did the Lord testify as to His choice? Resurrection.

This was the sign of the Lord’s chosen High Priest and Messiah: life from the dead. This sign of life from the dead (resurrection) was to remain before the Ark of the Testimony (Num. 17:10), a reminder that the authority of the high priest lay in the resurrection: the sign of the shepherds staff.

As the author of Hebrews writes, “Now may the God of peace, who brought up from the dead the great Shepherd of the sheep by the blood of an everlasting covenant, our Lord Yeshua, make you complete in every good thing to do His will, accomplishing in us what is pleasing in His sight, through Messiah Jesus. To Him be the glory forever and ever. Amen” (Heb. 13:20-21).

And in Him, you have been chosen, by His resurrection, to serve Him and accomplish His will upon the earth. In His Kingdom there are no small roles to play, as we are called, not cast, in His Great Commission. Walk where He has set you, do so in faithfulness, and in due time He will allow you to see just how monumental your role actually is. You may not receive an academy award, but He will be your eternal reward (Rev. 22:12; Eph. 2:6).

“So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God” (I Cor. 10:31).

Be well. Shalom.