The rebellion of Korah

Numbers 16:1–22
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The most critical event of the years of wandering was the rebellion of Korah and his company against Moses and Aaron.  Miriam’s and Aaron’s envy against Moses before the pronouncement of judgment at Kadesh was mild compared to this rebellion stirred up by Korah (vv. 1-35). When you review the history of Israel from Egypt to Canaan, you discover that the nation got into trouble every time they resisted the leadership of Moses and Aaron. Whenever God sought to build the people’s faith by bringing them into a difficult situation, they immediately rebelled against Moses and Aaron, blamed them for their plight, and wanted to return to Egypt.

Whether it’s the ancient camp of Israel or a modern city today, no society can function without subordination in a chain of command. Someone has to be in charge. Parents have authority in the home, teachers in the classroom, managers in the factory or office, and civil servants in the city or nation (Rom. 13:1). When this order breaks down, society is in serious trouble. God had chosen Moses to be the leader of the nation and Aaron to be the high priest; to resist this arrangement was to rebel against the will of God and bring serious division to the camp.

Though he was Israel’s top leader, Moses recognized those occasions where it was the best part of wisdom to let God reveal His mind directly to the people without using him as the spokesman (v. 5).  He didn’t debate with Korah and his crowd and try to change their minds, because he knew their aim was to take over the priesthood, something the Lord would never permit. One of the easiest ways to fall away from following God is to look at our present problems and exaggerate them. Two men by the names of Dathan and Abiram did just that. They made the complaint that Moses had not only failed to take them into the Promised Land flowing with milk and honey (Canaan) but had made himself a prince and was “lording it over” the people (v. 13). Their was no doubt that these spiritually ignorant men had envy in their hearts and wanted to take over the leadership themselves.

Application

Lord help me to never argue with those who may accuse me falsely but pray to the Lord and ask Him to vindicate me just as Moses did with Korah and his company.