Chapter 35—Korah Leads a Rebellion
This chapter is based on
Numbers 16
and 17.
The judgments visited upon the Israelites served for a time to
restrain their murmuring and insubordination, but the spirit of rebellion
was still in the heart. Now a deep-laid conspiracy was formed to
overthrow the authority of the leaders appointed by God Himself.
Korah, the leading spirit in this movement, a cousin of Moses,
was a man of ability and influence. He had become dissatisfied with
his position and aspired to the dignity of the priesthood. For some
time Korah had been secretly opposing the authority of Moses and
Aaron, though He had not ventured upon open rebellion. He finally
conceived the bold design of overthrowing both the civil and the reli-
gious authority. Dathan and Abiram, two princes, readily joined in his
ambitious schemes and determined to divide with Korah the honors of
the priesthood.
The feeling among the people favored Korah. In the bitterness
of their disappointment, their former doubts, jealousy, and hatred re-
turned, and again their complaints were directed against their patient
leader. They forgot that they were under divine guidance, that the pres-
ence of Christ went before them, and that from Him Moses received
directions.
Unwilling to die in the wilderness, they were ready to believe that
it was not God but Moses who had pronounced their doom. Although
the marks of God’s displeasure at their perverseness were still before
them, they did not take the lesson to heart.
He who reads the secrets of all hearts had given His people warning
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and instruction as might have enabled them to escape the deception of
these designing men. They had seen the judgment of God on Miriam
because of her jealousy and complaints against Moses. The Lord had
declared: “With him will I speak mouth to mouth.” “Wherefore, then,”
He added, “were ye not afraid to speak against My servant Moses?”
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