In Numbers chapter 26, as Moses orders a registration of Israel’s troops, the story of the rebellion of Dathan, Abiram, and Korah is retold. 

Numbers 26:9-11 “And Eliab was the father of Nemuel, Dathan, and Abiram. This Dathan and Abiram are the same community leaders who conspired with Korah against Moses and Aaron, rebelling against the LORD. But the earth opened up its mouth and swallowed them with Korah, and fire devoured 250 of their followers. This served as a warning to the entire nation of Israel. However, the sons of Korah did not die that day.” 

Korah was the son of Kohath, who was the son of Levi. The tribe of Levi was responsible for the care of the tabernacle and Ark of the Covenant. Korah’s family was responsible for transporting the holy things of the tabernacle on their shoulders. They were not permitted to use carts or oxen for transportation like all the others. It was a difficult job and perhaps Korah began to have disdain for this task and covet the role of the priests. Maybe Korah was jealous of Moses and Aaron and that is why he conspired against them. He acted out of a rebellious attitude and paid for his rebellion with his life. If you go back and read Numbers 14:18, it says that God punishes the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation. I’m sure Korah’s sons expected to die along with Korah that fateful day. But according to our reading today, the sons of Korah did not die that day. 

I believe the sons of Korah found grace in the eyes of the Lord. If you research, you will discover that God still had a purpose and plan for the line of Korah. After seven generations, the prophet Samuel arose from the line of Korah. The Korahites became doorkeepers and custodians for the tabernacle. Some accompanied King David in his military exploits and gained the reputation of being great, expert warriors. Most notably, some of the Korahites became great leaders of the music within the tabernacle. They were instrumental in planning the return of the Ark of Covenant to Jerusalem and some of the Psalms are attributed to the sons of Korah. Check out Psalms 42, 44-49, 84-85, and 87-88. You’ll see very clearly that there was a point in which the sons of Korah made a decision not to follow in the footsteps of their father, but to live with hearts of humility and devotion to the things of God. I believe that is because they were shown grace. 

We, too, have been freely given the grace of God. Through Jesus Christ, we are free from any generational curses that may be in our family line. I knew a person who believed that since his father died young from a heart attack that he was destined to, as well. He made no effort to improve his health by exercising or not smoking. He just accepted his father’s fate as his own. How many of us have this faulty mindset? Do you know that Jesus broke every curse of sin, including those of previous generations? When you make Jesus your Lord and Savior, those curses no longer apply to you! You become a brand new creation when you are born again! (2 Corinthians 5:17) 

Lisa Bevere tells the story that in her family history, there is divorce after divorce. When she was young, she thought that she was going to end up divorced, too. Once she learned that she was not powerless in that situation, she determined to be the one to end the curse of divorce for her family line. Now, she and John have a wonderful marriage and their sons have very healthy marriages, also. 

In Deuteronomy 7-9, we read that God is a faithful God who keeps covenant and mercy for a thousand generations with those who love Him and keep His commandments. Be the one that stands up to the enemy and says, “The buck stops here, Satan,” not only for you, but for your children and your children’s children, for a thousand generations! 

We are not helpless victims of the addictions, vices, mental illnesses, health problems, and habits of our bloodline, but victors through Christ Jesus! Decide and determine today to root out any of these faulty mindsets. Surrender them to the Lord and be free! I declare, according to the Word of God, that any generational curses are broken by the power of the Holy Spirit and in Jesus’ mighty name! There is power in the name of Jesus to break every chain!