Description
Author: Jonathan Cope. Paper back, 132 pages, First published 2012 by The Christadelphian (CMPA).
We can choose our friends, but not our families. However, we can control our beliefs and behavior, which if we choose to follow God's ways may put us at odds with our parents. Our physical similarities can be similar but to our parents but our character and walk may be quite different.
This was undoubtedly true in the case of Korah's family. His sons bore his family name but they could not have been less like him spiritually. Whilst their father rebelled against God and paid with his life, their lives speak of faith and courage, and challenge us to dare to be different however great the pressure to conform to ungodly ways is in our lives.
There is much we can learn from Korah's sons, from the stand they made, and from the beautiful psalms that they were inspired to write.
The first seven chapters of this book were serialised in The Christadelphian between March and September 2010; the remaining 13 chapters on their psalms have not previously been published and have been written especially for this book.
Book Review
One of the most dramatic events of the wilderness wanderings is the account of the rebellion of Korah, Dathan and Abiram in Numbers 16. These apparently charismatic leaders gathered strong support for their challenge of Moses and no doubt this is one of the reasons why God’s judgement of them was so decisive and peremptory. From the text it is clear that the families of Dathan and Abiram supported them in the challenge (Numbers 16:27). The chapter is moot, however, about the family of Korah and it is only from references to Korah’s descendents elsewhere in Scripture that we can confirm that his family did not support him in his rebellion.
In his brief new book, The Sons of Korah – their Faith and their Psalms, published by The Christadelphian in 2012, Bro Jonathan Cope draws out the lessons for disciples today that arise from the family of Korah. The book’s first seven chapters appeared originally as a series in The Christadelphian in 2010. The author commences by outlining the background to and reasons for the rebellion of Korah, Dathan and Abiram and their allies. Following this he discusses the reaction of Korah’s sons to their father’s rebellion and then the role of Korah’s descendents in the nation of Israel over the ensuing centuries. In doing so the author challenges readers to consider their ways during their own wilderness journey.
Why were the sons of Korah steadfast in their support for Moses against the urging of their father? The book suggests a very plausible answer to this question and it is one that has relevance for brothers and sisters in the meeting today. Many other such exhortations arise from a study of this remarkable family as Bro Jonathan follows the rebel leader’s descendents down through Israel’s history. In pursuing the study some intriguing facts are brought to light. For instance, some readers may be surprised to find that at least one well-known figure in Israel’s history was a son of Korah, a fact which is particularly apt given a task which was assigned to him as a young man.
The dedication of the sons of Korah – both his immediate sons and their descendents – to humble service in the Tabernacle would alone be an inspiration to the faithful in all ages. This practical service, however, was complemented by a series of Psalms which carry the title “for (RV of) the sons of Korah”, many of which are particularly well known and loved. These eleven Psalms are each the subject of a chapter, the content of which is published for the first time in this book.
Adopting the view that the Psalms were written by the sons of Korah at various time in history, the author provides a brief exposition of each of the Psalms. He makes a point of bringing out the relevance of the message to the experience of the Korah family as well as the messianic application of each Psalm. The author also considers the many visions of the kingdom that are contained within each Psalm. In addition to all this, Bro Jonathan suggests thought-provoking applications of many of the Psalms to incidents and figures in Israel’s history. His comments highlighting the relevance of Psalm 88 to the life of Joseph are a case in point.
In dealing with these Psalms Bro Jonathan comments where appropriate on their titles. He reminds his readers that these are indeed part of the text which, while sometimes neglected, deserve attention. His comments on some of the technical terms in the titles, for example “Shoshannim” (pages 56-57), are most interesting.
The comments above should not be taken as suggesting that Bro Cope’s concise exposition focuses only on exegetical details. In addition to this important material, Bro Jonathan demonstrates how the example of Korah’s sons and the Psalms they penned can inspire the modern generation of disciples to follow their faithful example:
“Are we experiencing times of hardship? Then let us be encouraged as we read the words of Korah’s sons. Here are men of intense integrity who went through times of the most extreme suffering and danger, yet maintained their faith in the God of Israel, and trusted that he would preserve them. Are we enjoying times of great happiness in the truth? Then let us rejoice as we read of Korah’s sons who gloried in God alone, knowing that it is of His good hand that we receive all that we have.” (page 34)
A feature of Bro Cope’s exposition is his attention to certain significant phrases in the text and their broader relevance. Two examples are “the Lord was with him” (page 27) and “the God of Abraham” (page 78). There is much in this short book to engage students of Israel’s history, the wilderness wanderings, the Lord Jesus Christ, as well as of the Psalms with which he deals; but this is more than a textbook for students. This is a book which will be enjoyed by the general reader and it is hoped that it enjoys wide circulation.
Geoff Henstock