I thought about the way that the talk might be given....
SAMPLE TALK: Abiram
Is it wise to simply follow a crowd just because it seems that they are right and someone else is wrong? Is it wise to give in to the peer pressure of a group?
There is an old saying, "show me who you associate with and I will tell you who you are."
This saying aptly can be made of Abiram. Now there are 3 different Abirams mentioned in the Bible, I guess it was once a common Hebrew name. But, the one we are referring to tonight is the one mentioned in the book of Number. He is mentioned in connection with his brother, Dathan and another, more notable fellow...Korah.
You may remember Korah as the principal "noteworthy" who challenged the authority of Moses and Aaron in the desert. Abiram was part of his inner circle. Although he was complicit in relation to this rebellion against Moses, it was apparently the "fame" of Korah that moved him to join in this endeavor. Let's read about this in Numbers chapter 16 (choose a couple of the verses that highlight Korah as the ringleader.)
We learn valuable lessons from this account. Notice how the men involved in this rebellion were men of "fame" or "noteworthy." They were respected men who used their notariety to promote their interests NOT God's. By rebelling, they were in direct conflict with God.
We must remember that Moses was the mediator between God and Israel. These "noteworthy" ones did not wish to see Moses fulfill those duties, rather, they wished to take the place of Moses. Afterall, didn't they say in verse 3 "are we not all consecrated?" (Or something like that...I am trying to remember the story from memory)
No, they wished the fame for themselves. Today, Jesus is God's chosen mediator. Never should we allow someone or something to try and overshadow his relevance in God's purpose or try to take the honor and prestige for themselves and thus, affect our relationship with the Most High, just a Korah Dathan and Abiram did.
The example of Korah Dathan and Abiram serves in another capacity as well. Notice Number 26:10-11. There were others that joined in the rebellion against the Mediator, Moses, 250 others in fact. They did so willingly. They may have been pressured by others in the group to conform to a line of reasoning that was shallow or unfounded, Who knows? But, they blindly followed. Yes, they should have asked questions. They should have wondered if there was some "other" reason why Korah Dathan and Abiram were asking people to follow them or at least "respect" their authority, although self-appointed. Who knows why? But, they apparently did not. No, in the eyes of God, they were just as guilty as the three, no four with the inclusion of the man On. They accepted that these "men" wanted to be treated as special. That they "deserved" consideration because they "believed" that they were in fact special and others conferred that "specialness" to them. No, the destruction of those 250 was a warning for the Israelites and serves as a warning for us. Never, never should we allow anyone to take the place of God's chosen Mediator. It is he alone that Jehovah has appointed. Let the example of Abiram be a warning for us. A warning to not simply follow others, but, as Christians, follow God's appointed ruler.
