Numbers 16:1-3  One day Korah son of Izhar, a descendant of Kohath son of Levi, conspired with Dathan and Abiram, the sons of Eliab, and On son of Peleth, from the tribe of Reuben. They incited a rebellion against Moses, along with 250 other leaders of the community, all prominent members of the assembly. They united against Moses and Aaron and said, “You have gone too far! The whole community of Israel has been set apart by the Lord, and he is with all of us. What right do you have to act as though you are greater than the rest of the Lord’s people?” (NLT)

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Tod Bolsinger is the author of several recent leadership bestsellers. You may be familiar with Canoeing the Mountains: Christian Leadership in Uncharted Territory and Tempered Resilience: How Leaders are Formed in the Crucible of Change. He spoke at a conference I attended this week at Dallas Baptist University. 

His most apt book for this chapter in the Exodus journey is a newer release entitled Leading Through Resistance: Quit Pushing Back. In this book few in pages and oversized in wisdom, he says leadership involves managing change and sabotage. Sabotage is a natural human response to anxiety. Key strategies include staying calm, connected, and committed to mission. Leaders must maintain core purpose and integrity during disruption. 

Whatever you lead, wherever you lead, progress will be threatened by anxious people. It is not change people fear; it is loss. They, and we, fear loss of place, loss of importance and significance, loss of familiarity and meaning, loss of self-determination and freedom. 

When anxiety and fear are enhanced with arrogance, you get what happens in Numbers 16. The ordinary and expected sabotage turned darker than it should have been. Honest questions turned into dishonest accusations. Pride and rebellion led to death, destruction, and a devastating plague. 

For a masterclass on how to handle sabotage, look at Moses and Aaron and listen to what they said. Notice the response to the accusations of verses 1-3. 

“When Moses heard what they were saying, he fell face down on the ground.”
‭‭Numbers‬ ‭16‬:‭4‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Moses then countered the accusations with reminders of their standing in the community and God’s call on their lives. He confronted their unjust accusations against Aaron. (See verses 8-11.)

Things went downhill from there. (See verses 12-14.) 

Moses prayed an angry prayer in verse 15. This is a good habit. Take your anger to God before you unleash it anywhere else. Make sure it is just, fair, and kind. Listen and obey when God tells you what to do with it. That’s what Moses did in verses 16 and 17. 

Korah made a bad situation worse by stirring up the whole community against Moses and Aaron (verse 19). At this point, God showed up in glory and power and told Moses and Aaron to get out of the way so that he could destroy them (verses 20 and 21). God vindicated Moses and Aaron and punished the rebels (verses 25-35). 

That should have been the end of the matter. However, the next day, more sabotage arose from the whole community of Israel (verses 41 and 42). Again, God showed up in glory and power. Again, it was not a good experience for the rebels. (See verse 49.)

“Moses and Aaron fell face down on the ground” (verse 45). This is the posture from which leaders lead in times of sabotage. They pray. They seek God’s clear directions. They do what he says. They seek God’s mercy and grace for innocent souls. They seek God’s highest and best, even for rebels. 

Moses and Aaron demonstrated the key strategies of staying calm, connected, and committed to mission. They maintained core purpose and integrity during disruption. They saved a people group from complete annihilation. 

Who will you save when times of sabotage come? 

How will you apply these leadership lessons?

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I will learn the lessons of successfully managing sabotage.

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Our Father, remind me as often as necessary that my best leadership posture is on my face before you. Train me to listen for your voice before I attempt to speak your truth. Place your thoughts in my mind and your words in my mouth. Let me move at the impulse of your love, mercy, grace, and kindness. Use me to bring about your highest and best for everyone concerned. Amen.