In reading through the book of Numbers (chapters 16 - 17) this morning, I was struck by how Israel's, yet more specifically, Korah's rebellion and how it goes hand in hand with worship and God's divinely established order. Korah and his company ultimately thought they could do better than God.
To grace all things are possible. Korah stirs up a great rebellion, and he himself perishes. But this great miracle follows. . .his sons are nevertheless preserved. Later they became renowned by reason of most excellent virtues, since they composed very beautiful psalms which can easily stand comparison and vie with the psalms of David. Yet they were descendants of Levi and Korah. . . Accordingly, God always observes this rule. He sets forth His threats; yet He chooses something good from evil men and sinners, just as He preserves some out of the whole human race, which is lost because of sins. (Luther's Works. American Edition. 8:227-228)
God has set forth a divine service - the way He has chosen to deal with His Church. Much of modern Christendom has gone the way Korah and thinks it can do 'worship' better - on it own terms. This modern iteration of the church ultimately trusts itself than God's Word.
Yet God, in His mercy, has given us His Son. And yet while we were still sinners, Christ died for us and has forgiven all our iniquities.
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