Rebellion of Korah
349
They were successful in alienating two hundred and fifty princes,
men of renown in the congregation. With these strong and influential
supporters they felt confident of making a radical change in the gov-
ernment and greatly improving upon the administration of Moses and
Aaron.
Jealousy had given rise to envy, and envy to rebellion. They had
discussed the question of the right of Moses to so great authority and
honor, until they had come to regard him as occupying a very enviable
position, which any of them could fill as well as he. And they deceived
themselves and one another into thinking that Moses and Aaron had
themselves assumed the positions they held. The discontented ones
said that these leaders had exalted themselves above the congregation
of the Lord, in taking upon them the priesthood and government, but
their house was not entitled to distinction above others in Israel; 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 special presence and protection.
The next work of the conspirators was with the people. To those
who are in the wrong, and deserving of reproof, there is nothing
more pleasing than to receive sympathy and praise. And thus Korah
and his associates gained the attention and enlisted the support of
the congregation. The charge that the murmurings of the people had
brought upon them the wrath of God was declared to be a mistake.
They said that the congregation were not at fault, since they desired
nothing more than their rights; but that Moses was an overbearing
ruler; that he had reproved the people as sinners, when they were a
holy people, and the Lord was among them.
Korah reviewed the history of their travels through the wilderness,
where they had been brought into strait places, and many had perished
because of their murmuring and disobedience. His hearers thought
they saw clearly that their troubles might have been prevented if Moses
had pursued a different course. They decided that all their disasters
were chargeable to him, and that their exclusion from Canaan was
in consequence of the mismanagement of Moses and Aaron; that if
Korah would be their leader, and would encourage them by dwelling
upon their good deeds, instead of reproving their sins, they would have
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a very peaceful, prosperous journey; instead of wandering to and fro
in the wilderness, they would proceed directly to the Promised Land.