Numbers 16:3Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

For us, priests are those to whom spiritual rebirth and baptismal renewal have been given; through them, we are clothed with Christ, buried with the Son of God, and made partakers of His holy body. Hence, it is fitting that we should not only hold them in greater reverence than earthly rulers but also honor them more than our own parents. While our physical fathers have given us life "of blood, of the desire of the flesh" (John 1:13), these priests facilitate our birth from God, offering us the true liberty and gracious adoption of the divine.

The Jewish priests had the power to declare a person cleansed from leprosy, though they did not have the authority to perform the cleansing itself (Lev. 14). The honor of that priestly role was indeed significant. Our priests, however, have been granted the power not merely to proclaim cleansing but to effect it—not for physical ailments, but for the moral and spiritual contaminants of the soul. Thus, those who fail to honor them are far more culpable than Dathan and his followers and deserve even greater consequences. Dathan and his party sought authority that did not rightfully belong to them, believing they were entitled to it and demonstrating their ambition through persistent effort. In contrast, disregarding a priesthood that is much more glorious and elevated constitutes a far greater act of disrespect; it is far graver to pursue honor that is not yours than to scorn such rightful blessings. The disparity between contempt and reverence is immense. Is there truly anyone so unfortunate as to regard such profound gifts with disdain? I can think of no one, save for a soul consumed by demonic fury.

The Lord instructed that altars be built and incense offered by Korah and those who had rebelled against Moses and Aaron, the priests of the Lord, ensuring that every saint was duly recognized and established among the Levites of the Lord. Moses implored Korah, 'Listen, you sons of Levi! Is it not enough that the God of Israel has set you apart from the rest of the community? Yet you still seek the priesthood; you and your associates are opposing the Lord. What is Aaron that you should complain against him?' Consider the reasons for their downfall: the unworthy sought to assume priestly roles and fell into dissent, grumbling against the divinely appointed priest. Consequently, a deep fear overtook the people as they feared for their own punishment. As they began to plead for mercy, concerned that the arrogance of a few might lead to the destruction of all, those responsible for the offense were judged, and the two hundred and fifty men along with their leaders were removed from among the people. The earth trembled and opened up in their midst, swallowing the guilty and distancing them from the elements of this world, preventing them from contaminating the air with their breath, the sky with their sight, the sea with their touch, or the ground with their graves.

Why then do you set yourselves above the Lord’s assembly?" As a result, they and their families were swallowed up by the earth at God's command. This mirrors the assertions and declarations of the fraudulent individuals that now infiltrate the church, and it is certain that they will meet a similar fate at God’s final judgment. These individuals have always existed and will persist in the defiant and envious nature of humanity, presumptuously seizing the role of teachers and leaders of the nations, in opposition to the established Church hierarchy and to the detriment of the church.

We must bear this in mind to rightly assess the number and status of those currently called and those who intrude into the governance of our national church. While the Israelites were aware of the calling of Aaron and his descendants to serve in the Old Testament church, we are even more informed through the Gospel about how Jesus Christ instituted the hierarchy of the New Testament church. He personally selected the first twelve and later seventy apostles from among the people, granting them the authority and responsibility to establish the New Testament church. In their obedience, and following the descent of the Holy Spirit upon them, the apostles appointed bishops and elders in all the congregations they founded (2 Tim. 1:6, Titus 1:5). They also instructed that bishops should ensure, through ordination, the succession of teaching the grace and legitimacy of the priesthood to the newly chosen shepherds of the Church (Prav. St. Ap. 1. 2. 32). This practice has been upheld in the Orthodox Church for nearly two millennia, so that legally ordained bishops and presbyters, united in purpose, form a protective barrier—referred to by Jesus Christ—of the flock, or Church of God. Access for those wishing to enter can only be obtained through the designated door, symbolizing legal election.

This entrance is ultimately based on the will of the Head of the Church, the Lord Jesus Christ, who invisibly directs His Church, as He stated: "I am the door; whoever enters through Me will be saved. They will come in and go out, and find pasture" (John 10:9). Bishops, ordained according to divine ordinance and consecrated by the Holy Spirit's grace, serve as the doorkeepers who permit entrance. The Lord warns that anyone who enters the sheepfold not through the door but climbs in another way is a thief and a robber; the thief comes only to steal, kill, and destroy (John 10:1, 10). This reflects Christ's judgment on the self-appointed teachers of His people who breach the church's boundaries with human doctrines instead of God’s truth, promoting alternate principles of morality rather than adhering to divine commandments, and veering away from the ultimate aim of eternal salvation, which the Saviour has promised to His faithful followers: "I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of My hand" (John 10:28). Therefore, understand, O sons and daughters of the Orthodox Church, that all self-appointed teachers of faith and morality, who share the transient doctrines of this age, are "thieves and robbers," robbing your souls and depriving them of stability in the Kingdom of God on earth, in the Church of Christ, and of their inheritance in the age to come in the heavenly mansions of the Father.

As documented in the Book of Numbers, this event unfolded before all, as those with the toxic bite of jealousy sought to seize the grace granted to Aaron and Moses, aiming to secure for themselves the honor which they understood was a gift from God’s mercy. They met a similar fate; their rebellion stemmed from a single source, and those who were wise in earthly matters were consumed by the ground, serving as a testament to their wrongdoing.

It is essential to identify Moses or those akin to him, while also discerning Korah and his followers. It is not unusual for Moses to shy away; thus, it becomes imperative to seek him out and acknowledge his esteemed role behind the veil of humility and modesty. There may be times when he might deny his election; in such cases, he should not hastily abandon it but thoughtfully evaluate whether to honor his denial or to uphold the truth of his election. On the other hand, Korah conspires and rallies support for his cause, attempting to win over “the leaders of the assembly” through flattery, asserting that “the whole congregation are holy.”