The Dangers of Role Discontentment
- jacarroll71
- Feb 19, 2013
- 2 min read
Today’s reading: Numbers 16:1-18:32
My selection: Numbers 16:8-11
8 And Moses said to Korah, “Hear now, you sons of Levi: 9 is it too small a thing for you that the God of Israel has separated you from the congregation of Israel, to bring you near to himself, to do service in the tabernacle of the Lord and to stand before the congregation to minister to them, 10 and that he has brought you near him, and all your brothers the sons of Levi with you? And would you seek the priesthood also? 11 Therefore it is against the Lord that you and all your company have gathered together. What is Aaron that you grumble against him?”
My reflections: Here rebellion breaks out again, this time led by a Levite who, though a worker in the tabernacle, was not a priest, and two members of the tribe of Ephraim. The former wants promotion to the priesthood and the latter want political power. They have joined together in a common cause to bring down Moses.
Once again the theme of contentment (or the lack thereof) arises. Moses specifically confronts the Levite, Korah, on the issue with the words above. Lack of contentment includes the unwillingness to accept the role God has given him to play while at the same time focusing on, what he considers, a greater role in the spiritual life of Israel.
As a consequence of this evil craving, Korah, Dathan, and Abiram not only did not gain more power and prestige, but they lost all that they had including their lives and the lives of their families and associates.
My challenge: What are your God-given roles? Are you fulfilling them to the best of your ability? Are you distracted with an unholy desire for some other role? How can re-focusing on your place in God’s kingdom help to reduce the coveting of some other place? How can coveting a role not given to you endanger your place in your family, the church, your job, and your community?
Beware of coveting good things not meant for you. Be content. Be faithful to the roles and tasks to which God has called you.
Tomorrow’s reading: Numbers 19:1-21:35
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