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Korah Leads a Rebellion
This chapter is based on Numbers 16 and 17.
The judgments inflicted on the Israelites held back their com-
plaining and rebellion for a while, but the spirit of rebellion was still
in their hearts. Now a seriously planned conspiracy was formed to
overthrow the authority of the leaders appointed by God Himself.
Korah, the leading person in this movement, a cousin of Moses,
was a man of ability and influence. He had become unhappy with
his position and wanted the dignity of the priesthood. For some time
Korah had been secretly opposing the authority of Moses and Aaron,
though He had not dared to openly rebel. He finally devised a bold
plan to overthrow both the civil and the religious authority. Dathan
and Abiram, two princes, readily joined in his ambitious schemes
and decided to divide the honors of the priesthood with Korah.
The feeling among the people favored Korah. In the bitterness
of their disappointment, their former doubts, jealousy, and hatred
returned, and again they complained against their patient leader.
They forgot that they were under God’s guidance, that the presence
of Christ went in front of them, and that Moses received directions
from Him.
Unwilling to die in the wilderness, they were ready to believe that
it was not God but Moses who had decided their doom. Although
the evidence of God’s displeasure at their rebellious nature was still
before them, they did not take the lesson to heart.
God, who reads the secrets of all hearts, had given His people
warnings and instructions that could have given them the power to
escape the deception of these scheming men. They had seen the
judgment of God on Miriam because of her jealousy and complaints
against Moses. The Lord had declared, “I speak with him face
to face. ... Why then,” He added, “were you not afraid to speak
against My servant Moses?” (
Numbers 12:8
). These instructions
were intended not for Aaron and Miriam alone, but for all Israel.
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