Numbers 13:1-33
The spies sent into Canaan
Numbers 14:1-10
Israel refuses to enter Canaan
Numbers 14:11-25
Moses intercedes for the people
Numbers 14:26-38
Death sentence on the rebels
Numbers 14:39-45
A futile invasion attempt
Numbers 15:1-15
The transition from one generation to the next
Numbers 15:17-41
Sacrifice for the sin of ignorance
Numbers 16:1-22
The rebellion of Korah
Numbers 16:23-50
God’s severe judgment on Korah’s crowd
Numbers 17:1-13
The budding of Aaron’s rod
Numbers 18:1-19
God held Aaron and his sons responsible for the tabernacle ministry
Numbers 18:20-32
Servants of the Lord deserve to be supported by His people
Numbers 19:1-22
The ashes of a heifer used to purify the unclean
God’s severe judgment on Korah’s crowd
Numbers 16:23–50
» View this passage in NIV (Bible Gateway)
In a book entitled Down to Earth, John Lawrence tells the story of a city that dared God to show Himself and paid a terrible price. It seems that the city of Messina, Sicily, was home to many wicked, irreligious people. On December 25, 1908, a newspaper published in Messina print … More
In these verses, we find that a time of public demonstration was set where Korah and his company were to bring their censers with burning incense before the Lord at the door of the tabernacle (vv. 23-30). At that time, God would identify His holy servants. As the events of the day unfolded, there was no question as to who was master of the day. It was the One whose glory appeared to all the congregation as these rebels gathered the people to the side door of the tabernacle, in the presence of Moses and Aaron. God told Moses and Aaron to remove themselves from the congregation, for He would consume the people in a moment. However, because of their plea to spare the people, since Korah was the real instigator of the rebellion, God gave the people another chance.
God warned the Jews to move away from the tents of Korah, Dathan and Abiram; then the earth opened up and swallowed those evil men and their households (vv 31-33). In terror, the people fled, while the 250 rebel princes, holding censers in their hands were consumed with fire (vv. 34-35). At this point Moses and Aaron hastened to bring an offering of incense as an atonement for the people. But God’s judgment had already begun, so that by the time Aaron had arrived he was standing “between the dead and the living” (vv. 36-48). When they counted the corpses, they found that 14,700 people had died because of their foolish rebellion against the Lord (vv. 49-50).
Korah’s story gives us several warnings:
Application
German philosopher Hegel in his introduction to Philosophy of History said, “The one thing we learn from history is that we don’t learn from history.” Lord help me to be a person who can learn from history and the lives of those who have gone before me.
Numbers 16:23-50 (English Standard Version)
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