Numbers 16: Rebellion Against Authority
Now Korah, the son of Izhar, the son of Kohath, the son of Levi, and Dathan and Abiram, the sons of Eliab, and On, the son of Peleth, sons of Reuben, took men:
And they rose up before Moses, with certain of the children of Israel, two hundred and fifty princes of the assembly, famous in the congregation, men of renown:
And they gathered themselves together against Moses and against Aaron, and said unto them, Ye take too much upon you, seeing all the congregation are holy, every one of them, and the Lord is among them: wherefore then lift ye up yourselves above the congregation of the Lord?
And when Moses heard it, he fell upon his face:
And he spake unto Korah and unto all his company, saying, Even to morrow the Lord will shew who are his, and who is holy; and will cause him to come near unto him: even him whom he hath chosen will he cause to come near unto him.
This do; Take you censers, Korah, and all his company;
And put fire therein, and put incense in them before the Lord to morrow: and it shall be that the man whom the Lord doth choose, he shall be holy: ye take too much upon you, ye sons of Levi.
And Moses said unto Korah, Hear, I pray you, ye sons of Levi:
Seemeth it but a small thing unto you, that the God of Israel hath separated you from the congregation of Israel, to bring you near to himself to do the service of the tabernacle of the Lord, and to stand before the congregation to minister unto them?
And he hath brought thee near to him, and all thy brethren the sons of Levi with thee: and seek ye the priesthood also?
For which cause both thou and all thy company are gathered together against the Lord: and what is Aaron, that ye murmur against him?
And Moses sent to call Dathan and Abiram, the sons of Eliab: which said, We will not come up:
Is it a small thing that thou hast brought us up out of a land that floweth with milk and honey, to kill us in the wilderness, except thou make thyself altogether a prince over us?
Moreover thou hast not brought us into a land that floweth with milk and honey, or given us inheritance of fields and vineyards: wilt thou put out the eyes of these men? we will not come up.
And Moses was very wroth, and said unto the Lord, Respect not thou their offering: I have not taken one ass from them, neither have I hurt one of them.
And Moses said unto Korah, Be thou and all thy company before the Lord, thou, and they, and Aaron, to morrow:
And take every man his censer, and put incense in them, and bring ye before the Lord every man his censer, two hundred and fifty censers; thou also, and Aaron, each of you his censer.
And they took every man his censer, and put fire in them, and laid incense thereon, and stood in the door of the tabernacle of the congregation with Moses and Aaron.
And Korah gathered all the congregation against them unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation: and the glory of the Lord appeared unto all the congregation.
And the Lord spake unto Moses and unto Aaron, saying,
Separate yourselves from among this congregation, that I may consume them in a moment.
And they fell upon their faces, and said, O God, the God of the spirits of all flesh, shall one man sin, and wilt thou be wroth with all the congregation?
And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying,
Speak unto the congregation, saying, Get you up from about the tabernacle of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram.
And Moses rose up and went unto Dathan and Abiram; and the elders of Israel followed him.
And he spake unto the congregation, saying, Depart, I pray you, from the tents of these wicked men, and touch nothing of theirs, lest ye be consumed in all their sins.
So they gat up from the tabernacle of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram, on every side: and Dathan and Abiram came out, and stood in the door of their tents, and their wives, and their sons, and their little children.
And Moses said, Hereby ye shall know that the Lord hath sent me to do all these works; for I have not done them of mine own mind.
If these men die the common death of all men, or if they be visited after the visitation of all men; then the Lord hath not sent me.
But if the Lord make a new thing, and the earth open her mouth, and swallow them up, with all that appertain unto them, and they go down quick into the pit; then ye shall understand that these men have provoked the Lord.
And it came to pass, as he had made an end of speaking all these words, that the ground clave asunder that was under them:
And the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed them up, and their houses, and all the men that appertained unto Korah, and all their goods.
They, and all that appertained to them, went down alive into the pit, and the earth closed upon them: and they perished from among the congregation.
And all Israel that were round about them fled at the cry of them: for they said, Lest the earth swallow us up also.
And there came out a fire from the Lord, and consumed the two hundred and fifty men that offered incense.
And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying,
Speak unto Eleazar the son of Aaron the priest, that he take up the censers out of the burning, and scatter thou the fire yonder; for they are hallowed.
The censers of these sinners against their own souls, let them make them broad plates for a covering of the altar: for they offered them before the Lord, therefore they are hallowed: and they shall be a sign unto the children of Israel.
And Eleazar the priest took the brasen censers, wherewith they that were burnt had offered; and they were made broad plates for a covering of the altar:
To be a memorial unto the children of Israel, that no stranger, which is not of the seed of Aaron, come near to offer incense before the Lord; that he be not as Korah, and as his company: as the Lord said to him by the hand of Moses.
But on the morrow all the congregation of the children of Israel murmured against Moses and against Aaron, saying, Ye have killed the people of the Lord.
And it came to pass, when the congregation was gathered against Moses and against Aaron, that they looked toward the tabernacle of the congregation: and, behold, the cloud covered it, and the glory of the Lord appeared.
And Moses and Aaron came before the tabernacle of the congregation.
And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying,
Get you up from among this congregation, that I may consume them as in a moment. And they fell upon their faces.
And Moses said unto Aaron, Take a censer, and put fire therein from off the altar, and put on incense, and go quickly unto the congregation, and make an atonement for them: for there is wrath gone out from the Lord; the plague is begun.
And Aaron took as Moses commanded, and ran into the midst of the congregation; and, behold, the plague was begun among the people: and he put on incense, and made an atonement for the people.
And he stood between the dead and the living; and the plague was stayed.
Now they that died in the plague were fourteen thousand and seven hundred, beside them that died about the matter of Korah.
And Aaron returned unto Moses unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation: and the plague was stayed.
Numbers 16 recounts a grave rebellion against the divinely appointed leadership of Moses and Aaron. This chapter serves as a stark warning about the dangers of pride, envy, and the consequences of challenging God's established order. Understanding the context and implications of this rebellion is crucial for grasping the importance of humility, obedience, and respect for authority, both in the Old Testament and in our lives today.
The Instigators: More Than Just Riffraff (Numbers 16)
Numbers 16:1-2 highlights that this rebellion was not instigated by the common folk, but by prominent men within the Israelite community. These were not the "riffraff" who had previously complained about food (Numbers 11:4). Instead, they were leaders of the community, representatives in the assembly, and men holding positions of considerable honor. Korah, a Levite (Numbers 16:1), was among those set apart to serve the Lord at the tabernacle. This detail is significant because it underscores that sin is no respecter of persons; it can infect anyone, regardless of their status or privilege. The fact that these men, already blessed with significant roles, sought more power reveals a deep-seated issue of discontentment and ambition.
The Charge: Challenging Divine Authority (Numbers 16:3)
Korah and his followers confronted Moses and Aaron en masse, echoing the earlier complaints of Miriam and Aaron (Numbers 12:2). Their central claim was a challenge to the authority of Moses and Aaron, asserting that the entire community was holy and questioning why Moses and Aaron exalted themselves above the LORD’s assembly (Numbers 16:3). This was a direct attack on God's chosen leaders and, ultimately, against God Himself. Moses and Aaron had not exalted themselves; they were called and appointed by the Lord. It is mind-blowing that they thought they could pull off a successful rebellion against Moses. Not one of these previous incidents or God’s responses, however, penetrated the hard hearts of Korah and his followers. Their accusation even included Aaron, the high priest, suggesting that they were challenging both the religious and governmental leadership of God’s kingdom structure.
One has to wonder if Korah and his followers had been paying any attention at all. Where were they when the people complained against Moses, cried for meat, stuffed themselves on quail, and then died when God struck them with the food still in their mouths in chapter 11? Were they sleeping when Miriam and Aaron challenged Moses’s authority and God struck her with leprosy in chapter 12? Were they ill in their beds when the ten spies and the people defied the Lord, refused to take the promised land, and were banished to the wilderness for forty years in chapters 13 and 14?
Moses' Response: Humility and Seeking God's Guidance (Numbers 16:4-7)
Upon hearing their accusations, Moses recognized that the rebellion was not merely against him but against the Lord. He responded with humility, falling facedown in worship and prayer before God (Numbers 16:4). This act of submission underscores the importance of seeking God's guidance in the face of opposition. Moses sought divine instruction, and God provided a clear test: Korah and his followers were to take firepans, place fire and incense on them, and present them before the LORD. The man whom the LORD chose would be the one set apart (Numbers 16:6-7).
Unveiling the Motives: A Thirst for Power (Numbers 16:8-11)
Moses understood that Korah's real motive was a lust for power. Korah, as a Levite, already had a significant role in caring for the tabernacle, but he desired the priesthood, a ministry God had specifically assigned to Aaron and his family (Numbers 16:9-10). God had already brought Korah near (Numbers 16:10) by sanctifying him for ministry, but that wasn’t good enough for him. This ambition revealed a deeper issue of discontentment and a rejection of God's established order. By seeking the priesthood, Korah and his followers were essentially conspiring against the LORD (Numbers 16:11).
The Defiance of Dathan and Abiram (Numbers 16:12-14)
Dathan and Abiram, two other prominent leaders allied with Korah, further demonstrated their rebellious spirit by refusing to answer Moses' summons (Numbers 16:12). Their grievances were outrageous, claiming that Egypt—the land of their enslavement—was a land flowing with milk and honey (Numbers 16:13). They accused Moses of deceiving them, failing to deliver the promised land, and plotting to kill them in the wilderness (Numbers 16:13-14). Their words were a distortion of reality, fueled by bitterness and a rejection of God's plan. In a word, they were delusional.
Moses' Righteous Indignation and the Impending Judgment (Numbers 16:15-30)
Filled with righteous indignation at their nonsense, Moses declared that Dathan and Abiram's accusations were lies (Numbers 16:15). He had always cared for and interceded for the Israelites. The time for dialogue was over, and the test was set: Aaron, Korah, and all of Korah's followers were to present their firepans before the LORD the next day (Numbers 16:16-17).
Korah, exploiting his prominence, assembled the whole community against Moses and Aaron at the entrance to the tent of meeting (Numbers 16:19). However, popularity does not equate to righteousness. God, provoked by their faithlessness, threatened to destroy the entire nation. Once again, Moses and Aaron interceded, falling facedown and pleading for God's mercy (Numbers 16:22).
God spared the community, but judgment was imminent for Korah and his fellow rebels. The community was warned to distance themselves from the dwellings of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram (Numbers 16:23-27). Moses then prophesied that the manner of their death would reveal whether he was truly sent by God. If they died naturally, Moses was an imposter (Numbers 16:29). But if the earth opened its mouth and swallowed them, it would be an unmistakable sign that Korah had led a rebellion against God (Numbers 16:30).
Divine Judgment: The Earth Opens and Fire Consumes (Numbers 16:31-40)
The consequences were swift and terrifying. As Moses predicted, the earth opened up and swallowed Korah and all his people (Numbers 16:32). The ground then closed over them, and they vanished from the assembly (Numbers 16:33). Simultaneously, fire from the Lord consumed the 250 men who had offered incense (Numbers 16:35). The people of Israel were horrified (Numbers 16:34).
The firepans of the deceased rebels were hammered into sheets and used as plating for the altar. This served as a holy reminder that only those authorized by God, specifically the descendants of Aaron, were permitted to offer incense before the LORD, lest they suffer the same fate as Korah and his followers (Numbers 16:38-40).
The Community's Unrepentant Response and the Plague (Numbers 16:41-50)
Tragically, the story did not end with repentance. The very next day, the entire Israelite community complained against Moses and Aaron, accusing them of killing the LORD’s people! (Numbers 16:41). This outrageous claim demonstrates the tenacity of human stubbornness and the willingness to reject truth in favor of lies.
Once again, God's anger was kindled, and He threatened to destroy the nation. Moses and Aaron, in their unwavering compassion, fell facedown once more, pleading for God to spare the people (Numbers 16:45). God relented to a degree, but the consequences of sin were unavoidable. A plague broke out among the accusers. Moses instructed Aaron to take a firepan, fill it with incense, and make atonement for the people (Numbers 16:46). Aaron obeyed, running into the midst of the camp and standing between the living and the dead, halting the plague (Numbers 16:47). However, before the plague stopped, 14,700 more rebels perished (Numbers 16:49).
Lessons for Today
Numbers 16 is a powerful reminder of the importance of respecting God's authority and the dangers of pride and rebellion. It teaches us:
- Humility and Submission: Recognize and submit to God-ordained authority in our lives, whether in the church, family, or workplace.
- Contentment: Guard against envy and the desire for power or position. Be content with the gifts and calling God has given us.
- Obedience: Obey God's commands and trust in His plan, even when we don't fully understand it.
- Intercession: Follow the example of Moses and Aaron by interceding for others, even those who oppose us.
- The Holiness of God: Never take God lightly. He is a holy God, and sin has consequences.
The events of Numbers 16 should instill in us a reverential fear of the Lord and a renewed commitment to living in obedience to His will. The fresh revelation of God’s fierce holiness no doubt put reverential fear in the hearts of the remaining Israelites, so that they might not sin against the Lord. It should have a similar impact on us. The Lord is a holy God. The worst thing you can do in life is fail to take him seriously.
Now Korah, the son of Izhar, the son of Kohath, the son of Levi, and Dathan and Abiram, the sons of Eliab, and On, the son of Peleth, sons of Reuben, took men:
And they rose up before Moses, with certain of the children of Israel, two hundred and fifty princes of the assembly, famous in the congregation, men of renown:
And they gathered themselves together against Moses and against Aaron, and said unto them, Ye take too much upon you, seeing all the congregation are holy, every one of them, and the Lord is among them: wherefore then lift ye up yourselves above the congregation of the Lord?
And when Moses heard it, he fell upon his face:
And he spake unto Korah and unto all his company, saying, Even to morrow the Lord will shew who are his, and who is holy; and will cause him to come near unto him: even him whom he hath chosen will he cause to come near unto him.
This do; Take you censers, Korah, and all his company;
And put fire therein, and put incense in them before the Lord to morrow: and it shall be that the man whom the Lord doth choose, he shall be holy: ye take too much upon you, ye sons of Levi.
And Moses said unto Korah, Hear, I pray you, ye sons of Levi:
Seemeth it but a small thing unto you, that the God of Israel hath separated you from the congregation of Israel, to bring you near to himself to do the service of the tabernacle of the Lord, and to stand before the congregation to minister unto them?
And he hath brought thee near to him, and all thy brethren the sons of Levi with thee: and seek ye the priesthood also?
For which cause both thou and all thy company are gathered together against the Lord: and what is Aaron, that ye murmur against him?
And Moses sent to call Dathan and Abiram, the sons of Eliab: which said, We will not come up:
Is it a small thing that thou hast brought us up out of a land that floweth with milk and honey, to kill us in the wilderness, except thou make thyself altogether a prince over us?
Moreover thou hast not brought us into a land that floweth with milk and honey, or given us inheritance of fields and vineyards: wilt thou put out the eyes of these men? we will not come up.
And Moses was very wroth, and said unto the Lord, Respect not thou their offering: I have not taken one ass from them, neither have I hurt one of them.
And Moses said unto Korah, Be thou and all thy company before the Lord, thou, and they, and Aaron, to morrow:
And take every man his censer, and put incense in them, and bring ye before the Lord every man his censer, two hundred and fifty censers; thou also, and Aaron, each of you his censer.
And they took every man his censer, and put fire in them, and laid incense thereon, and stood in the door of the tabernacle of the congregation with Moses and Aaron.
And Korah gathered all the congregation against them unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation: and the glory of the Lord appeared unto all the congregation.
And the Lord spake unto Moses and unto Aaron, saying,
Separate yourselves from among this congregation, that I may consume them in a moment.
And they fell upon their faces, and said, O God, the God of the spirits of all flesh, shall one man sin, and wilt thou be wroth with all the congregation?
And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying,
Speak unto the congregation, saying, Get you up from about the tabernacle of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram.
And Moses rose up and went unto Dathan and Abiram; and the elders of Israel followed him.
And he spake unto the congregation, saying, Depart, I pray you, from the tents of these wicked men, and touch nothing of theirs, lest ye be consumed in all their sins.
So they gat up from the tabernacle of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram, on every side: and Dathan and Abiram came out, and stood in the door of their tents, and their wives, and their sons, and their little children.
And Moses said, Hereby ye shall know that the Lord hath sent me to do all these works; for I have not done them of mine own mind.
If these men die the common death of all men, or if they be visited after the visitation of all men; then the Lord hath not sent me.
But if the Lord make a new thing, and the earth open her mouth, and swallow them up, with all that appertain unto them, and they go down quick into the pit; then ye shall understand that these men have provoked the Lord.
And it came to pass, as he had made an end of speaking all these words, that the ground clave asunder that was under them:
And the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed them up, and their houses, and all the men that appertained unto Korah, and all their goods.
They, and all that appertained to them, went down alive into the pit, and the earth closed upon them: and they perished from among the congregation.
And all Israel that were round about them fled at the cry of them: for they said, Lest the earth swallow us up also.
And there came out a fire from the Lord, and consumed the two hundred and fifty men that offered incense.
And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying,
Speak unto Eleazar the son of Aaron the priest, that he take up the censers out of the burning, and scatter thou the fire yonder; for they are hallowed.
The censers of these sinners against their own souls, let them make them broad plates for a covering of the altar: for they offered them before the Lord, therefore they are hallowed: and they shall be a sign unto the children of Israel.
And Eleazar the priest took the brasen censers, wherewith they that were burnt had offered; and they were made broad plates for a covering of the altar:
To be a memorial unto the children of Israel, that no stranger, which is not of the seed of Aaron, come near to offer incense before the Lord; that he be not as Korah, and as his company: as the Lord said to him by the hand of Moses.
But on the morrow all the congregation of the children of Israel murmured against Moses and against Aaron, saying, Ye have killed the people of the Lord.
And it came to pass, when the congregation was gathered against Moses and against Aaron, that they looked toward the tabernacle of the congregation: and, behold, the cloud covered it, and the glory of the Lord appeared.
And Moses and Aaron came before the tabernacle of the congregation.
And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying,
Get you up from among this congregation, that I may consume them as in a moment. And they fell upon their faces.
And Moses said unto Aaron, Take a censer, and put fire therein from off the altar, and put on incense, and go quickly unto the congregation, and make an atonement for them: for there is wrath gone out from the Lord; the plague is begun.
And Aaron took as Moses commanded, and ran into the midst of the congregation; and, behold, the plague was begun among the people: and he put on incense, and made an atonement for the people.
And he stood between the dead and the living; and the plague was stayed.
Now they that died in the plague were fourteen thousand and seven hundred, beside them that died about the matter of Korah.
And Aaron returned unto Moses unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation: and the plague was stayed.
Numbers 16 recounts a grave rebellion against the divinely appointed leadership of Moses and Aaron. This chapter serves as a stark warning about the dangers of pride, envy, and the consequences of challenging God's established order. Understanding the context and implications of this rebellion is crucial for grasping the importance of humility, obedience, and respect for authority, both in the Old Testament and in our lives today.
The Instigators: More Than Just Riffraff (Numbers 16)
Numbers 16:1-2 highlights that this rebellion was not instigated by the common folk, but by prominent men within the Israelite community. These were not the "riffraff" who had previously complained about food (Numbers 11:4). Instead, they were leaders of the community, representatives in the assembly, and men holding positions of considerable honor. Korah, a Levite (Numbers 16:1), was among those set apart to serve the Lord at the tabernacle. This detail is significant because it underscores that sin is no respecter of persons; it can infect anyone, regardless of their status or privilege. The fact that these men, already blessed with significant roles, sought more power reveals a deep-seated issue of discontentment and ambition.
The Charge: Challenging Divine Authority (Numbers 16:3)
Korah and his followers confronted Moses and Aaron en masse, echoing the earlier complaints of Miriam and Aaron (Numbers 12:2). Their central claim was a challenge to the authority of Moses and Aaron, asserting that the entire community was holy and questioning why Moses and Aaron exalted themselves above the LORD’s assembly (Numbers 16:3). This was a direct attack on God's chosen leaders and, ultimately, against God Himself. Moses and Aaron had not exalted themselves; they were called and appointed by the Lord. It is mind-blowing that they thought they could pull off a successful rebellion against Moses. Not one of these previous incidents or God’s responses, however, penetrated the hard hearts of Korah and his followers. Their accusation even included Aaron, the high priest, suggesting that they were challenging both the religious and governmental leadership of God’s kingdom structure.
One has to wonder if Korah and his followers had been paying any attention at all. Where were they when the people complained against Moses, cried for meat, stuffed themselves on quail, and then died when God struck them with the food still in their mouths in chapter 11? Were they sleeping when Miriam and Aaron challenged Moses’s authority and God struck her with leprosy in chapter 12? Were they ill in their beds when the ten spies and the people defied the Lord, refused to take the promised land, and were banished to the wilderness for forty years in chapters 13 and 14?
Moses' Response: Humility and Seeking God's Guidance (Numbers 16:4-7)
Upon hearing their accusations, Moses recognized that the rebellion was not merely against him but against the Lord. He responded with humility, falling facedown in worship and prayer before God (Numbers 16:4). This act of submission underscores the importance of seeking God's guidance in the face of opposition. Moses sought divine instruction, and God provided a clear test: Korah and his followers were to take firepans, place fire and incense on them, and present them before the LORD. The man whom the LORD chose would be the one set apart (Numbers 16:6-7).
Unveiling the Motives: A Thirst for Power (Numbers 16:8-11)
Moses understood that Korah's real motive was a lust for power. Korah, as a Levite, already had a significant role in caring for the tabernacle, but he desired the priesthood, a ministry God had specifically assigned to Aaron and his family (Numbers 16:9-10). God had already brought Korah near (Numbers 16:10) by sanctifying him for ministry, but that wasn’t good enough for him. This ambition revealed a deeper issue of discontentment and a rejection of God's established order. By seeking the priesthood, Korah and his followers were essentially conspiring against the LORD (Numbers 16:11).
The Defiance of Dathan and Abiram (Numbers 16:12-14)
Dathan and Abiram, two other prominent leaders allied with Korah, further demonstrated their rebellious spirit by refusing to answer Moses' summons (Numbers 16:12). Their grievances were outrageous, claiming that Egypt—the land of their enslavement—was a land flowing with milk and honey (Numbers 16:13). They accused Moses of deceiving them, failing to deliver the promised land, and plotting to kill them in the wilderness (Numbers 16:13-14). Their words were a distortion of reality, fueled by bitterness and a rejection of God's plan. In a word, they were delusional.
Moses' Righteous Indignation and the Impending Judgment (Numbers 16:15-30)
Filled with righteous indignation at their nonsense, Moses declared that Dathan and Abiram's accusations were lies (Numbers 16:15). He had always cared for and interceded for the Israelites. The time for dialogue was over, and the test was set: Aaron, Korah, and all of Korah's followers were to present their firepans before the LORD the next day (Numbers 16:16-17).
Korah, exploiting his prominence, assembled the whole community against Moses and Aaron at the entrance to the tent of meeting (Numbers 16:19). However, popularity does not equate to righteousness. God, provoked by their faithlessness, threatened to destroy the entire nation. Once again, Moses and Aaron interceded, falling facedown and pleading for God's mercy (Numbers 16:22).
God spared the community, but judgment was imminent for Korah and his fellow rebels. The community was warned to distance themselves from the dwellings of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram (Numbers 16:23-27). Moses then prophesied that the manner of their death would reveal whether he was truly sent by God. If they died naturally, Moses was an imposter (Numbers 16:29). But if the earth opened its mouth and swallowed them, it would be an unmistakable sign that Korah had led a rebellion against God (Numbers 16:30).
Divine Judgment: The Earth Opens and Fire Consumes (Numbers 16:31-40)
The consequences were swift and terrifying. As Moses predicted, the earth opened up and swallowed Korah and all his people (Numbers 16:32). The ground then closed over them, and they vanished from the assembly (Numbers 16:33). Simultaneously, fire from the Lord consumed the 250 men who had offered incense (Numbers 16:35). The people of Israel were horrified (Numbers 16:34).
The firepans of the deceased rebels were hammered into sheets and used as plating for the altar. This served as a holy reminder that only those authorized by God, specifically the descendants of Aaron, were permitted to offer incense before the LORD, lest they suffer the same fate as Korah and his followers (Numbers 16:38-40).
The Community's Unrepentant Response and the Plague (Numbers 16:41-50)
Tragically, the story did not end with repentance. The very next day, the entire Israelite community complained against Moses and Aaron, accusing them of killing the LORD’s people! (Numbers 16:41). This outrageous claim demonstrates the tenacity of human stubbornness and the willingness to reject truth in favor of lies.
Once again, God's anger was kindled, and He threatened to destroy the nation. Moses and Aaron, in their unwavering compassion, fell facedown once more, pleading for God to spare the people (Numbers 16:45). God relented to a degree, but the consequences of sin were unavoidable. A plague broke out among the accusers. Moses instructed Aaron to take a firepan, fill it with incense, and make atonement for the people (Numbers 16:46). Aaron obeyed, running into the midst of the camp and standing between the living and the dead, halting the plague (Numbers 16:47). However, before the plague stopped, 14,700 more rebels perished (Numbers 16:49).
Lessons for Today
Numbers 16 is a powerful reminder of the importance of respecting God's authority and the dangers of pride and rebellion. It teaches us:
- Humility and Submission: Recognize and submit to God-ordained authority in our lives, whether in the church, family, or workplace.
- Contentment: Guard against envy and the desire for power or position. Be content with the gifts and calling God has given us.
- Obedience: Obey God's commands and trust in His plan, even when we don't fully understand it.
- Intercession: Follow the example of Moses and Aaron by interceding for others, even those who oppose us.
- The Holiness of God: Never take God lightly. He is a holy God, and sin has consequences.
The events of Numbers 16 should instill in us a reverential fear of the Lord and a renewed commitment to living in obedience to His will. The fresh revelation of God’s fierce holiness no doubt put reverential fear in the hearts of the remaining Israelites, so that they might not sin against the Lord. It should have a similar impact on us. The Lord is a holy God. The worst thing you can do in life is fail to take him seriously.