More Drama in the Desert

The unfaithful hearts of those Moses led out of the wilderness were fast becoming obvious. Any little hurdle or hurt feeling to arise was an opportunity to doubt God, to question Moses, and to pine for the "good old days" in Egypt.

The recurring judgments, plagues and fires (even the Leprosy that stuck Moses' sister for what she said against Moses) were not sufficient deterrent for this cycle. They were locked in their way of thinking, no matter what God did to demonstrate Himself.

At this point in the Narrative, Israel has refused to march into the Promised land, and God has responded by committing the whole nation to a 40-year "time out" (to use modern language) where those who did not trust God to be able to do as He promised died in the desert. That is to say, in the physical embodiment of their unbelief.

Earlier in Numbers, certain of the Levites were given differing tasks. Some worked in the Tabernacle. Some cared for the tools of the priesthood, sort of a support role.

God named different families to their divinely-assigned roles.

As is typical, someone was not content with his role, and wanted 'something better'. They know they're going to die in the wilderness under Moses' leadership. He even said so. Things were not looking good to this ambitious fellow.

So, this guy who should have known better, (Korah) was a Levite whose role was the care of the sanctuary, no less, started a revolt. The Kohathites were camped in the Southern portion of the assembly. (This is where the Rubenites were also camped. )

So Korah used his circle of influence to foment a plot against Moses. He collected 250 chiefs of the congregation, well-known men to stand with him against Moses. (verses 2 & 3) Their claim was that Moses was trying to wrest power for himself.

Moses "fell on his face". He didn't argue, or try to demonstrate his authority. He didn't point to the tremendous series of events that took them from the fiery bush to the edge of the Promised Land. He offered God an opportunity to demonstrate who was right and who was wrong. Moses trusted that God would vindicate His servant as God saw fit.

Korah used God's word (poorly) to demonstrate the 'rightness' of his position. You're holy, we are too. We have just as much claim to authority as you.

Moses singled out Korah for chastisement, and focussed on his religious ambition: Is the role God gave you too small, that you want the priesthood, too? You haven't risen against us, you have risen up against God.

Next, Moses singled out the political leaders, Dathan and Abiram, and called them to meet with him. They refused, and accused Moses of trying to be "a Prince" over them. They left the "bounty" of Egypt (they even dared to speak of it as flowing with milk and honey!) only to die in the wilderness.

This was the test: Each party was to offer incense before the Lord.
God had already by this point indicated that He was prepared to wipe out all of Israel for this sin, but after Moses prayed, God restricted His wrath to the rebels themselves.

The people were warned to separate themselves from the offenders. Moses declared what was to happen, and it did.

The ground opened up under the tents of the three offenders, and swallowed up them, their possessions and their families*.

After that, (the next verse) fire went out and destroyed the 250 men that backed them.

So Israel learned its lesson, right? They repented and fell into line with God's plan?

Nope.

The VERY NEXT DAY, the congregation accused Moses and Aaron of killing the people of the Lord. (As though Moses somehow made God open the ground beneath their feet.)
The people had tested God's patience enough. Wrath went out and a plague began among the people.

Aaron ran, gathered some fire from the altar, some incense and ran to the place where the plague was fiercest. He "stood between the dead and the living" (verse 48) and the plague was stopped. He didn't have to risk his life by jumping into the middle of the plague. He could have said this judgment was just. But as High Priest, he advocated for the people, and appealed to God for Mercy. They did receive it.

The lesson was still not learned, as we see from Israel taking matters into their own hands a few more times under Moses.