Numbers 16:32 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. 33 They, and all that appertained to them, went down alive into the pit, and the earth closed upon them: and they perished from among the congregation. 34 And all Israel that were round about them fled at the cry of them: for they said, Lest the earth swallow us up also. 35 And there came out a fire from the Lord, and consumed the two hundred and fifty men that offered incense.
This passage of scripture takes up from the destruction of Korah and his accomplices, and extends out to those who supported him in his rebellion against God-ordained authority. The principle that is involved here should receive due consideration by all who endeavor to walk in harmony with God, for there are certain pitfalls we should avoid at all costs. These princes were not the original instigators of the plots against Moses and Aaron, but they joined in with them after they allowed themselves to be deceived by the smooth talk and fanciful speeches given by Korah, Dathan, and Abiram.
The notion advanced by Korah, that all the people were holy and the Lord was among them, was specifically designed to incite distrust of God's wise leadership through His ordained servants, and the claim of itself was false. To begin with, Moses and Aaron had not taken it upon themselves to lead the Hebrews out of Egypt, for Moses was very hesitant to take on the responsibility God had given him. The other claim that all the people were holy was indeed untrue, for on several occasions they had taken up missiles to stone the God-ordained leaders. Holy people do not do these things but rather wait humbly on God to lead in the ways of His choosing. Let's read:
Exodus 17:3 And the people thirsted there for water; and the people murmured against Moses, and said, Wherefore is this that thou hast brought us up out of Egypt, to kill us and our children and our cattle with thirst? 4 And Moses cried unto the Lord, saying, What shall I do unto this people? they be almost ready to stone me.
Many of the congregation were also guilty by association, for although they may not have said anything verbally in support of the uprising, yet their heart sentiments were with the defectors, and thus they were found to be partaking of the very same spirit as those who were proactive and loud in their denunciations of God's servants. It is not necessary for us to actually do or say anything in favor of a wrong course of action, in order for us to be guilty in God's sight. All we have to do is to agree mentally, and it will be written against our names. The reason for this is that God brings both thoughts and actions into account, and many people will be lost eternally, based on the thoughts of their hearts, even thought they may have lived outwardly upright lives. This sacred truth must be clearly understood in the context of the judgment now taking place in the heavenly courts, and none should be deluded as to the perfect clarity with which God views visible and invisible issues. Let's read:
Ecclesiastes 12:13 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. 14 For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.
Genesis 6:5 And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.
This is the reason why the plague that followed on the heels of Korah's rebellion destroyed over 14,000 of those who otherwise might seem guiltless to the casual reader. It was not merely because of any overt actions that were taken, but because they partook of the same spirit as the perpetrators. And in our day the same error is being repeated in the support given to the violation of the marriage institution, by those who otherwise lead respectful lives and are currently in a monogamous relationship between one man and one woman, as God has ordained. They may not be guilty of any overt actions to the contrary, but because they have lent their moral or political support to the evil, or because they did not stand up for truth and righteousness because of political correctness, or because of self-preservation, they are therefore just as guilty as the men who accosted the angels at Lot's front door.
It thus behooves us to stay clear of any semblance of support for rebellion against God, and we are also thereby enjoined to raise our pen and voices in protest of the deluge of evil that is overspreading the land. When a trooper stops a vehicle that is found to contain drugs or narcotics, those who are in the vehicle are guilty by association, even if they had nothing to do with the actual possession of the forbidden products. Thus it will be with all who countenance evil for any reason, for the coming judgments upon the land will make no distinction between perpetrators or supporters. We therefore end with a passage of scripture which warns us against guilt by association, and it is the will of God that the lessons of the past be etched deeply into our consciousness, so that our feet may be guided into safe paths. Let's read:
Exodus 23:1 Thou shalt not " .... "put not thine hand with the wicked to be an unrighteous witness. 2 Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil; neither shalt thou speak in a cause to decline after many to wrest judgment.
May God add His blessing to the study and practice of His word. "Good night" and God bless!