Old Testament: Numbers 26.8–11

To read the Bible in a year, read Numbers 26–27 on March 1, In the year of our Lord Christ 2025

By Don Ruhl 

As Moses listed leaders from the various tribes of Israel, he spoke of Reuben, and made note of two men from Reuben who failed in their job: 

And the son of Pallu was Eliab. The sons of Eliab were Nemuel, Dathan, and Abiram. These are the Dathan and Abiram, representatives of the congregation, who contended against Moses and Aaron in the company of Korah, when they contended against the Lord; and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed them up together with Korah when that company died, when the fire devoured two hundred and fifty men; and they became a sign. Nevertheless the children of Korah did not die.

– Numbers 26.8–11 

Dathan and Abiram represented the congregation, but they used their authority and power to side with Korah in contending against Moses and Aaron, which truly was a rebellion against the Lord. 

However, Moses quickly noted that the sons of Korah did not participate in that rebellion, but truly the sons of Korah devoted themselves to the Lord, even writing some of the Psalms (See Psalms 42; 44; 45; 46; 47; 48; 49; 84; 85; 87; 88). 

Unfortunately, the families of Dathan and Abiram backed them, unlike the sons of Korah, and so they all perished when the Earth opened its mouth and swallowed them. 

Are you a representative? If so, be sure that you use it for good, and not for evil.

Questions from today’s reading and devotional: 

• What number of son was Reuben? 
• How have you handled your position of influence? 

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Don preaches with the Savage Street Church of Christ in Grants Pass, Oregon. 

Listen to his sermons here: GrantsPassChurchOfChrist.com