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Testimonies for the Church Volume 3
Israel murmured against Moses and against Aaron, saying, Ye have
killed the people of the Lord.” The people were disappointed that the
matter resulted as it did in favor of Moses and Aaron. The appearance
of Korah and his company, all impiously exercising the priests’ office
with their censers, struck the people with admiration. They did not see
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that these men were offering a daring affront to the divine Majesty.
When they were destroyed, the people were terrified; but after a short
time all came in a tumultuous manner to Moses and Aaron, and charged
them with the blood of those who had perished by the hand of God.
“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.” Notwithstanding the
rebellion of Israel and their cruel conduct to Moses, he still manifested
for them the same interest as before. Falling upon his face before the
Lord, he implored Him to spare the people. While thus praying for
the Lord to pardon the sins of His people, Moses requested Aaron to
make an atonement for their sin while he remained before the Lord,
that his prayers might ascend with the incense and be acceptable to
God, and that all the congregation might not perish in their rebellion.
“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 con-
gregation, 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.”
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