Numbers 16 -- Rebellion Against God Never Pays

This chapter records attempts by the people to challenge the leadership of Moses and Aaron.  In doing so, the people were actually challenging God’s will, but they failed to understand that. 

Korah was a Levite who wanted to be a priest.  Only those descended from Aaron could be priests.

Four men, including Korah, persuaded 250 men – “well-known leaders chosen by the community” – who challenged Moses, claiming that all the people were holy, every one of them, and that the Lord as among them.  With this claim, they wanted a role in leadership as priests.

Moses’ first reaction was to bow facedown.  It was a sign of humility.  Seeking God’s will, Moses then told the rebels to assemble the next morning to see who God would allow to present incense before Him – a priestly function.

Moses also summoned two of the rebels who refused to come.  This greatly angered Moses and instead of interceding for those two, he told God he was innocent of their charges and let God handle things.

The next morning, despite the intercession of Moses and Aaron in prayer, Dothan and Abiram and their families and belongings were swallowed by the earth, and fire from the Lord came down and destroyed the 250 men who’d rebelled.

Despite all this, the next day a general rebellion began among the people!  Before Moses could say a word, God ordered Aaron and him to move away s o He could destroy the people rebelling.  Moses had Aaron take fire and incense from the altar and run into the crowd to offer forgiveness for their sin.  A plague had already begun and people were dropping dead.  Aaron offered the incense, standing between the living and the dead, yet 14,700 people did in the process.

My commentary summed it all up – “What is there about the human heart that makes it so easy to follow the crowd and disobey the Lord? … The one thing we learn from history is that we don’t learn from history, and that includes church history.”

Father, help me to see Your leadership and understand where You are truly leading and through whom.  Let me know when I am rebelling against Your will.

Your Brother In Christ,

Gary Ford