“Who can stand in the presence of the Lord?” (Hebrews 7:25)
The story of Korah’s rebellion in Numbers 16 is a striking reminder of the holiness of God and the dangers of challenging His appointed authority. The passage showcases the consequences of pride, disobedience, and presumption—qualities that Korah and his followers displayed as they rose up against Moses and Aaron. However, while the narrative of Numbers 16 primarily serves as a warning about the consequences of rebellion, it also points us to the truth that only Jesus Christ is our true High Priest, the Mediator who stands before God on our behalf and saves us from the wrath of sin.
The Rebellion of Korah – A Challenge to God’s Authority
In Numbers 16, Korah, a Levite, along with Dathan, Abiram, and 250 leaders of the Israelite community, questioned Moses’ leadership. They accused Moses and Aaron of exalting themselves above the assembly of the Lord, claiming that all of the congregation was holy, and thus, everyone should have the same privilege of serving before God. Korah and his followers were presumptuous, assuming that they could approach God’s holy presence without the appointed mediator, Moses, and without the specific role given to Aaron and his descendants.
This act of rebellion was not just a personal challenge to Moses’ leadership but a direct challenge to God’s order and holiness. In their arrogance, they forgot that no one can stand in God’s presence without a proper mediator. The holiness of God is so pure and so set apart that no one can enter His presence without being cleansed or without the proper covering. The rebellion of Korah serves as a reminder that we, too, are utterly unworthy to stand before God on our own merits.
The Holiness of God and the Need for Mediation
God’s response to the rebellion was swift and severe. The ground itself opened up and swallowed Dathan and Abiram, and fire consumed the 250 men offering incense. This dramatic event demonstrates the seriousness with which God treats disobedience and the holiness of His presence. No one can stand in the presence of the Lord without the proper covering and mediation.
This incident points us to a deeper truth found in Hebrews 7:25: “Therefore, he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.” In contrast to the flawed mediators of the Old Testament, who were human and could not ultimately cleanse us from sin, Jesus Christ is our true High Priest. He is the only one who can stand before God on our behalf, offering not the blood of animals, but His own blood, which purifies us completely.
Jesus – Our True High Priest
The rebellion of Korah emphasizes the need for a perfect mediator who can stand in the gap between sinful humanity and a holy God. In the Old Testament, the priesthood was a temporary system that pointed forward to a greater reality. The priests in the Old Testament had to offer sacrifices repeatedly, as their own sinfulness required them to atone for themselves before atoning for the people. They were finite, fallible, and limited in their ability to bring true reconciliation.
Jesus, however, is the ultimate High Priest. His sacrifice was once and for all. He didn’t need to offer sacrifices for Himself, as He was sinless and perfect. He was fully man and fully God, the perfect Mediator between God and humanity. As Hebrews 7:24-27 tells us:
“But because Jesus lives forever, he has a permanent priesthood. Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them. Such a high priest meets our need—one who is holy, blameless, pure, set apart from sinners, exalted above the heavens. Unlike the other high priests, he does not need to offer sacrifices day after day, first for his own sins, and then for the sins of the people. He sacrificed for their sins once for all when he offered himself.”
The True Mediator
What sets Jesus apart from all other mediators is His ability to completely save. While Korah and his followers suffered the consequences of their rebellion, we see in Jesus the fulfillment of God’s plan to provide a way for us to stand in His presence. Jesus doesn’t just intercede for us in the sense of pleading on our behalf; He has done the work necessary to secure our salvation. His sacrifice on the cross paid the penalty for our sins, and His resurrection ensures our eternal life.
When we come to Jesus, we don’t approach a holy God in our own strength or righteousness. We come through the perfect mediation of Christ, who has made us worthy by His blood. Just as the Israelites could not approach God without the priestly mediation, we, too, cannot approach God except through Jesus. He is the one who made a way for us to stand before God, not because of anything we have done, but because of what He has done for us.
The Call to Approach God Through Jesus
The question remains, “Who can stand in the presence of the Lord?” Without Jesus, none of us could stand. But through Him, we can approach the throne of grace with confidence, knowing that He is the only Mediator who can save us completely. In the rebellion of Korah, we see the grave consequences of trying to stand before God on our own terms. But in Jesus, we see the hope of salvation, the promise that, through Him, we can stand blameless and holy before God.
Conclusion
Numbers 16 serves as a stark reminder of the seriousness of approaching God without the right mediator. The rebellion of Korah shows that only Jesus is the rightful High Priest, the Mediator who saves us from our sin and wrath. Through His perfect life, death, and resurrection, Jesus has made a way for us to stand in the presence of the holy God. We must never forget that, apart from Him, we are unworthy to approach God. But in Him, we are made righteous, holy, and blameless. As we reflect on this powerful truth, let us draw near to God with confidence, knowing that we have a Savior who always lives to intercede for us.
