The Gainsaying of Korah
Jude 11 – “Woe unto them! for they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward, and perished in the gainsaying of Core.”
As we have seen, some false teachers are like Cain in that they teach a perverted doctrine of salvation. Other false teachers are like Balaam in that they teach a warped principle concerning money. Jude, then, gives a third illustration to which to compare false teachers. They have perished in the gainsaying of Core (Korah).
What is meant by the term “gainsaying of Korah”? James Strong tells us that the Greek word translated “gainsaying” is antilogia, and he defines it as “dispute; disobedience.” Noah Webster, in his 1828 dictionary, defines “gainsay” with more detail – “to contradict; to oppose in words; to deny or declare not to be true what another says; to controvert; to dispute; applied to persons, or to propositions, declarations or facts.” From these definitions, it clear that the gainsayer is one who contradicts or disobeys. The false teachers who are like Korah have a problem with authority. To see this problem clearly illustrated, let us examine the story of Korah.
Korah’s Rebellion
The story of Korah is found in Numbers 16. In the beginning of the account of Korah and his rebellion, Korah and his company are identified.
Numbers 16:1 – “Now Korah, the son of Izhar, the son of Kohath, the son of Levi, and Dathan and Abiram, the sons of Eliab, and On, the son of Peleth, sons of Reuben, took men.”
So the men who were identified with Korah’s “gainsaying” was, of course, Korah, Dathan, Abiram, and On. These men who were set to rebel against Moses then gathered other men together – the famous, popular men of the congregation of Israel.
Numbers 16:2 – “And they rose up before Moses, with certain of the children of Israel, two hundred and fifty princes of the assembly, famous in the congregation, men of renown.”
At this time, Korah wishes to rebel against the authority of Moses. But he does not rebel alone. He brings with him a group from the congregation. He brings with him popular men. These men I would suppose have a charismatic personality. They are likeable fellows – well liked by most of the congregation. Rebels never do their work alone. Pastor, listen very carefully. When someone from your congregation has a bone to pick with you, but they will not discuss it with you alone, you have a Korah on your hands. Mark it down – Korahs are cowards. They will never sit in your office man to man, but instead will round up the most popular in the congregation to come against you. They are like Absalom, who only came against his father David after winning the hearts of the people. Their cowardice will never let them work alone.
Korah, after having gathered 250 men of the congregation, then makes his accusation against Moses.
Numbers 16:3 – “And they gathered themselves together against Moses and against Aaron, and said unto them, Ye take too much upon you, seeing all the congregation are holy, every one of them, and the LORD is among them: wherefore then lift ye up yourselves above the congregation of the LORD?”
Korah’s first accusation against Moses was that he “took too much on himself.” On this point, Korah knows nothing about which he is talking. Moses did not take any authority on himself. God placed Moses in authority over the people, and it was Moses who tried to escape such authority. At the burning bush, it was Moses who offered excuses because he did not want the job! So, Korah’s first accusation against Moses was as false as it could be. Korah’s next accusation against Moses is summed up in the words “…seeing all the congregation are holy.” Here, Korah makes the claim that the whole congregation is as holy as Moses and Aaron. Korah, in essence, is saying to Moses, “We’re just as holy as you are.” This statement, like Korah’s first accusation, is inaccurate. Actually, no one in the congregation was as holy as Moses in terms of authority. Moses was “holy,” or “set apart” for the job of leading God’s people out of Egypt and into the promised land. Not one other person in the congregation was “set apart” or “made holy” for that job. No one. There could have been someone in the congregation who lived as good as Moses lived; but not one member of that vast congregation was made holy for the purpose of leading God’s people. Only Moses possessed the authority by God to lead the people out of Egypt. This authority was given to him at the burning bush.
In the remainder of the story, God met with Moses, as well with Korah’s company. As the judgment of God, the ground opened up and swallowed Korah and his company. God, as He most often does, sided with authority.
Modern-day Korahs
Who are the Korahs of today? Sometimes, Korah represents the “lay preacher;” the preacher who goes to a church, but is not the pastor. Often, it is the lay preacher who rises against the pastor and makes the same claim that Korah made to Moses – “We’re just as holy as you are.” Sometimes, Korah represents a deacon, a Sunday School teacher, or a trustee. Whomever the individual is that is represented by the Biblical figure “Korah,” two things are certain: first, Korah is not the pastor; and second, Korah wants to be the pastor. Korah has no authority from God, but Korah wants authority from God. Korah has no calling from God to lead, but Korah wants to lead.
Let me say here that there is something very wrong with the individual who actually wants to be accountable for immortal souls. It is no wonder that Moses tried to escape being the leader of that vast Hebrew multitude; that Jonah fled to Tarshish when commissioned to go to Nineveh. Real men of God do not crave to be in authority. Real men of God, on the other hand, realize the weight that comes with being accountable for the souls of men. To a genuine man of God, the authority that comes with pastoring a church is frightening. When I hear about men who get angry because someone else got a pastoring job that they wanted, I shake my head. Such a man does not understand the burden and responsibility of having pastoral authority. Korah is that man – although he has no authority, he wants authority, because he does not understand authority.
Korah represents in some cases, the preacher who is not a pastor, but wishes to be pastor. He will not submit to authority, but he wants to be in authority. He won’t sit under the teaching of a pastor, but he thinks he is ready to take the mantle of the pastor. He has never lightened a pastor’s load, but is certain he is ready to take on the challenges of being a pastor. Modern-day Korahs are usually preachers who do not yet pastor a church, but they long to do so.
When Korahs Become Pastors
There are times when Korah gets his wish. He keeps demanding that he be pastor until he assumes the role of pastor. Usually this is done when Korah splits the church he attended and starts another. I can usually tell when a pastor is a “Korah.”
When I moved to Indiana, I learned a new term – “shepherding.” I had never heard it before. It was explained to me that “shepherding” is what a pastor does when he controls every aspect of his members’ lives. When a member of a church is expected to gain the pastor’s permission to buy a house, buy a car, or take a job, this is referred to by some as “shepherding.”
I am not sure that “shepherding” is a right term for this type of pastor. The word “pastor” means “shepherd.” It is the shepherd’s job to feed the sheep. The pastor does this through teaching and preaching. Sometimes, this involves correcting behavior of the sheep. A good pastor will correct his sheep when it is needed. Sometimes, feeding the sheep involves giving a warning to someone in the congregation who may be on the brink of making a wrong decision. However, it is NOT the job of the pastor to be the head of each and every household in the church. As a pastor, it is none of my business which house a family in my church buys. It is none of my business whether a man in my church takes a certain job (unless, of course, it is a job that would dishonor God or bring shame on our church). I do not control every aspect of the lives of the members of my church (nor do I want to). When a pastor is controlling to the degree of which we are speaking, some call it “shepherding.” I would call it “lording.” Look at what Peter says regarding elders of the church:
I Peter 5:2-3 – “Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock.”
“Neither as being lords over God’s heritage.” Pastors are not “lords” over God’s heritage. Godly pastors do not dictate every aspect of the lives of those in his congregation. Usually, pastors that are very controlling in this unbiblical manner are pastors who exactly like Korah. Chances are, such a pastor has never submitted to the authority of a godly pastor. They have probably never taken orders, so they are very hard when they give them.
Let me speak a moment to the pastors. I understand that a pastor must, at times, be very firm. Pastors must take a stand for right. Pastors must identify what is sinful and wrong. However, if you take pleasure in being hard, you are nothing more than a Korah. If your idea of leading the flock involves telling your congregation, “I’m the pastor and you’ll do this or that because I said so,” you are a Korah. You have no understanding of authority. If you expect your members to gain your permission before buying a house, buying a car, adopting a child, taking a job, or other personal matters that have nothing to do with the church, then you are a Korah. The authority you have is not God-given; it is usurped. You wrongfully took it upon yourself.
It would do well for all of us pastors to examine our ministries. We should lead and feed the flock of God with the humility and the firmness of Moses, not with the rebellion of Korah.
