Weekly Sidra: Korach (Korah)
Torah Portion: Bamidbar/ Numbers 16:1-18:32
Haftorah: Shamuel Alef / I Samuel 11:14-12:22

“Samuel said to the people, "Come, let us go to Gilgal and there inaugurate the monarchy." 15 So all the people went to Gilgal, and there at Gilgal they declared Saul king before the Lord. They offered sacrifices of well-being there before the Lord; and Saul and all the men of Israel held a great celebration there. Then Samuel said to all Israel, "I have yielded to you in all you have asked of me and have set a king over you. Henceforth the king will be your leader. (I Sam 11:14-12:2)

This week we read of the rebellion of Korach against Moses. In Samuel 15:23 we read that rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft.

In the Haftarah portion we read of a different type of rebellion, the act of appointing a king over Israel. "I have yielded to you in all you have asked of me and have set a king over you. Henceforth the king will be your leader. “ God was supposed to be King of Israel, not a human king! However, in the same way God gave Israel quail when they cried for meat. He also gave them a human king just like all the other nations.

God knew the people’s hearts and gave into their human desires. Much like the quail made Israel sick, so too Saul eventually disobeyed God and the Kingdom was taken away from him. This caused Israel to be divided into two Kingdoms and the restoration was long and hard.

We must be careful what we ask for from God. Do we really need a big house, a fancy car, or a supermodel spouse? These things may look good in the beginning, but in the end we are stuck with a huge mortgage, high insurance premiums and a spouse who may care more about themselves than God.

We may need a house, a car, or a spouse. God may give us those things, and if we seek Him with a pure heart and a pure mind, He will give us what we need and not necessarily what we want.

So the next time you ask God for something check your motive. Because, you just may get what you wished for and not what you need.