It’s great story, and one that a lot of children will enjoy! But what does it mean? well, if you’ve followed along with the sermon and perhaps dipped into the Bible Study notes for Num.16 you should have a pretty good idea that the focus is on the role and work of the High Priest (representing Jesus), and the fact that He is the only way for us to access the life of God. That’s probably where I would start any discussion or teaching on this passage: Why can we not just get to God ourselves?
Once you get past that into a discussion of the High Priest, and his ministry, the key ideas are about the fact that it is the Lord who gets to set the terms of our worship, and to choose who can have access to Him. It is nothing short of presumption to start anywhere else than there. And He chooses a High Priest. More specifically, He choose His own Son as High Priest (see Heb.4:14-5:10 if you want to unpack this). He approaches the Father – and anyone else who wants to has to go with Him. This is great news and gives us incredible confidence – we know the Father accepts His Son.
The idea of representation is an easy one to explore. Depending on age the idea of sports team representing a country (or a town); an MP representing people in their constituency; or an ambassador representing their government might all help.
In a similar way, Christ represents us in the throne room of heaven! There is no one better to trust to work in our best interests. The costume of the High Priest visualises this for us. He carries on his shoulder two onyx stones on which are engraved the names of the 12 tribes of Israel, literally carrying the Church into the heavenly throne room, as He appears before the Father with the blood of His sacrifice. Imagine a child being lifted up to on their parent’s shoulders to see something they couldn’t see on their own – that’s a pretty good picture of what’s going on!
Once we get past the drama of Num.16:25-34, it is worth pointing out that God isn’t being unfair in His dealing with these trouble-makers and their families and followers. There are two critical things to remember. The first is that the result of trying to get to God iwthout Jesus is always death. The second is that no-one actually had to suffer this fate! In fact we’re told in Num.26:11 that not everyone did. Some of Korah’s descendants wanted to stand with Christ, rather than with their families who rejected Christ.
This is such a rich (if quite challenging) area to explore. As parents it gives us a chance to help our children think through what it means to choose to follow Christ even when other important people in our lives choose not to. The danger of being carried along by other people’s decisions is one we will want them to recognise and avoid.
But one of my favorite obeservations on this whole incident is the realisation that the Sons of Korah can teach us a lot about how to approach God properly in worship. It might be good to explore one of the Psalms written by the Sons of Korah! One of the easiest would be Ps.45, which describes the wedding of Christ and the Church (Eph.5:25-27; Heb.1:8-9). Older hcildren might appreciate Ps.42-44 though, which explores what it feels like to live in a fallen world, waiting for Christ to come and fix it!
A great memory passage for this week might be from another Sons of Korah Psalm: 85:6-7, Will you not revive us again that your people may rejoice in you?Show us your unfailing love Lord, and grant us your salvation’. Worth praying that together as a family!!
