Korach Portion Summary (a joint production by mijiale & chatgpt)
Portion Korach Starts: Numbers 16:1
Ends: Numbers 18:32
Highlights of the portion and some related New Testament verses:
1. Rebellion of Korach: Korach and his followers challenge the leadership of Moses and Aaron, resulting in divine intervention and their punishment (Numbers 16:1-35).
New Testament verse: “But in their greed, they will exploit you with false words. Their condemnation from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep.” – 2 Peter 2:3
2. Moses’ intercession: After the rebellion, a plague breaks out, and Moses intercedes on behalf of the people, stopping the plague through Aaron’s atonement (Numbers 16:36-50).
New Testament verse: “For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.” – 1 Timothy 2:5
3. The budding of Aaron’s staff: Aaron’s staff miraculously buds, blossoms, and bears almonds, confirming his position as the chosen high priest (Numbers 17:1-13).
New Testament verse: “And no one takes this honor for himself, but only when called by God, just as Aaron was.” – Hebrews 5:4
4. Duties, inheritance, and tithes of the priests and Levites:
- The priests (descendants of Aaron) are responsible for the service of the sanctuary, offering sacrifices on the altar, and ministering before the Lord. They receive specific offerings, including the most holy offerings, as their portion (Numbers 18:1-20).
- The Levites, who are not from the lineage of Aaron, assist the priests in their duties and take care of the tabernacle. They are given to Aaron and his sons as a gift, helping them in their service. However, they do not have direct access to the most holy offerings like the priests do.
- The Levites themselves have a unique inheritance. They are to receive the tithes (a tenth part) offered by the people to the Lord. The Levites, in turn, give a tithe of the tithes to the priests. This arrangement serves as their inheritance and a recompense for their service in the tent of meeting (Numbers 18:21-32).
New Testament verse: “One might even say that Levi himself, who receives tithes, paid tithes through Abraham.” – Hebrews 7:9