Korah Leads a Rebellion
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Numbers 12:8
. These instructions were not intended for Aaron and
Miriam alone, but for all Israel.
Korah and his fellow conspirators were of the number who went
up with Moses into the mount and beheld the divine glory. But a
temptation, slight at first, had been harbored until their minds were
controlled by Satan. They first whispered their discontent to one
another and then to leading men of Israel. At last they really believed
themselves actuated by zeal for God.
They were successful in alienating two hundred and fifty princes.
With these influential supporters they felt confident of greatly improv-
ing upon the administration of Moses and Aaron.
Jealousy had given rise to envy, and envy to rebellion. And they
deceived themselves and one another into thinking that Moses and
Aaron had themselves assumed the positions they held, that these lead-
ers had exalted themselves in taking the priesthood and government.
They were no more holy than the people, and it should be enough for
them to be on a level with their brethren, who were equally favored
with God’s presence and protection.
Korah’s Method: Praise the People
Korah and his associates enlisted the support of the congregation.
The charge that the murmurings of the people had brought the wrath of
God was declared a mistake. They said that the congregation were not
at fault, since they desired nothing more than their rights; but Moses
was an overbearing ruler; he had reproved the people as sinners when
they were a holy people.
Korah’s hearers thought they saw clearly that their troubles might
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have been prevented if Moses had pursued a different course. Their
exclusion from Canaan was in consequence of the mismanagement of
Moses and Aaron. If Korah would be their leader and encourage them
by dwelling upon their good deeds instead of reproving their sins, they
would have a very prosperous journey; instead of wandering in the
wilderness they would proceed directly to the Promised Land.
Korah’s success with the people increased his confidence. He
claimed that God had authorized him to make a change in the govern-
ment before it should be too late.