Numbers 16:1-3
In Numbers 4 the Kohathites were assigned to carry the holy furniture and other items kept in the holy place. Aaron and his sons would prepare all these things by covering them, then the Kohathites would carry them, being careful not to touch anything. The rebellion may have been fueled by the discouragement of not being able to enter the land. They may have felt inferior in being the moving crew for the holy furniture.
Korah appears to be the instigator of four rebellions.
- The Levites against Aaron
- Dathan and Abiram against Moses
- The tribal chieftains against Aaron
- The community against Moses and Aaron
Over and over, we can see the people are prone to be swayed by nearly anyone with an agenda or complaint. Leaders from every tribe joined together to stand against Moses and Aaron. The accusation was, "You take too much upon yourselves." They saw themselves as just as holy and just as important and capable of leading.
While they accused Aaron and Moses of exalting themselves, it is clear that is what these accusers are doing.
Numbers 16:4-7
Moses must have thought, 'Here we go again!" He fell on his face – prone and humbled before the accusers. The text uses a military term for those with Korah. Moses did not need to explain or defend himself. The Lord would speak for Himself. In this we can see Moses is submitted to the Lord and under His guidance.
The challenge was that Korah and others wanted a share in the priesthood. Only a priest could offer incense. So, the challenge to Korah was to test their claim. Censers were like pans with a long handle. They could scoop up hot coals carry them as a portable altar. Incense was burned in them.
Moses turns the accusation of Korah back on them, saying, "You take too much upon yourselves, you sons of Levi!"
Numbers 16:8-11
The sons of Levi despised their service to the Lord at the tabernacle as a small and insignificant thing. They wanted the priesthood. They saw it as more in line with who they were. This rebellion is to say to the Lord, "I think you got it wrong appointing Aaron and his sons, You should have appointed us!"
Numbers 16:12-15
Moses called to Dathan and Abiram, sons of Reuben; but they said they would not come up. Every rebellion fundamentally starts with, "I will…" Their accusation included Moses bringing them from a land flowing with milk and honey – a reference to Egypt in this case. This is incredible hypocrisy and offense to the Lord. They liken the Promise to their place of bondage. Moses simply had not delivered what they expected, so they wanted to replace him.
The idiom of putting out their eyes seems to refer to a deception. We might say someone pulled the wool over our eyes. The idea was to blind them to the deception – which was these rebels' way of saying they were smarter than others and saw this deception.
It is noteworthy that Moses answers to the Lord and not these men. Their offering may have been any offering or it could be a reference to the incense offering.
Numbers 16:16-27
It's unclear of how Korah thought this might go. Did he anticipate a discussion? A promotion as some appeasement to his complaint? An apology? This mob came to the tabernacle and filled their censors with fire and incense to stand before the Lord. It must have been a little bit of surprise that the Lord's anger came so quickly against them.
Aaron and Moses quickly intercede on behalf of the congregation. The Lord calls for the separation from Korah, Dathan and Abiram.
Numbers 16:28-35
Moses put his reputation and name in the Lord's hands. If he was truly called by the Lord, then these men were rebelling against Him, not Moses. The Lord would display His anger towards them by supernaturally causing them to go to the grave alive. This is horrifying thought and a terrible way to die.
Everyone else fled for fear of being swallowed up also. It may be that they were aware of their own rebellious heart and attitude. They may have realized they deserved the same as those men. The Lord brought down fire on the 250 men who were offering incense with some thought they could be a priest apart from the Lord's desire and calling.
Numbers 16:36-40
The smoke had not settled when Eleazar was instructed to pick up the censors. They were holy because they had been presented before the Lord. The fire was to be scattered some distance away – apparently no longer holy fire. The censors were to be made into a cover for the altar which served as a memorial. The sign was to help people remember Korah and these other men who 'sinned against their own souls.' This is a fascinating phrase. God has our best in mind, He's not trying to trick us or keep us held back. To rebel against Him is to sin against our own soul. The message was clear. The priests were assigned to the line of Aaron and no other.
This rebellion is referenced in Jude 11 and 1 Corinthians 10:10
Numbers 16:41-50
Rebellion among the people seemed to spread like a disease. This had the effect of inciting God's wrath against them. This plague spread among the people like the rebellion did. This plague appears like some supernatural being – similar to the destroying angel of the tenth plague in Egypt. Aaron runs ahead of it and stands between the living and the dead to appease God's anger with this incense offering. The plague is stopped in this way.
There were 14,700 that died that day.
© 2023 Doug Ford, Calvary Chapel Sweetwater
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