민수기 Chapter 16

Translation: ESV

1

Now Korah the son of Izhar, son of Kohath, son of Levi, and Dathan and Abiram the sons of Eliab, and On the son of Peleth, sons of Reuben, took men.

Key Message

Not being satisfied with the sphere of calling God has given and coveting greater authority is the seed of rebellion; covetousness splits the community.

▸Korah's rebellion is the most serious act of rebellion in Numbers.

Korah's rebellion is the most serious act of rebellion in Numbers. Korah the Levite, together with 250 tribal leaders, challenges Moses and Aaron. Korah already held the special service position of a Levite, but he coveted the priestly office as well, desiring a higher authority. Not being satisfied with the calling one has received is the root of rebellion.

Related Verses

Woe to them! For they walked in the way of Cain and abandoned themselves for the sake of gain to Balaam's error and perished in Korah's rebellion.
3

They assembled themselves together against Moses and against Aaron and said to them, "You have gone too far! For all in the congregation are holy, every one of them, and the LORD is among them. Why then do you exalt yourselves above the assembly of the LORD?"

Key Message

Misapplying truth is as dangerous as falsehood; when the principle of equality is used to deny the authority structure God has established, the community is in crisis.

▸Korah's rebellious logic sounds theological.

12

And Moses sent to call Dathan and Abiram the sons of Eliab, and they said, "We will not come up.

Key Message

Refusal to submit to authority is the beginning of community division; disobedience to the leader God has appointed is ultimately disobedience to God himself.

▸Dathan and Abiram refuse even Moses' summons.

32

And the earth opened its mouth and swallowed them up, with their households and all the people who belonged to Korah and all their goods.

Key Message

A direct challenge to God's authority inevitably brings judgment; this event dramatically shows the seriousness of disregarding God's holy order.

▸The earth opening its mouth and swallowing the rebels is one of the most shocking scenes of judgment in Scripture.

46

And Moses said to Aaron, "Take your censer, and put fire on it from off the altar and lay incense on it and carry it quickly to the congregation and make atonement for them, for wrath has gone out from the LORD; the plague has begun."

Key Message

Intercessory prayer can stop judgment; just as Aaron stood between the living and the dead, Jesus Christ stands between God and humanity as the perfect intercessor.

▸After Korah's rebellion, as the people continue to grumble and a plague falls, Aaron takes his censer and stands between the living and the dead to make intercession.