LESSON 2: Punishment to the Rebels of Mosaic Priesthood (Numbers 16)

Priesthood was not tied to any specific tribe until Moses was given the Law. Before that, the firstborns of each family acted as priests and offered their own sacrifices. After Moses received the Ten Commandments, the tribe of Levi was chosen for the priesthood. Aaron was made high priest, and his sons — Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar — became under-priests.

Opposing Moses and Aaron:

The children of Israel were wandering in the wilderness. Korah, a Levite and relative of Moses and Aaron, was jealous of Aaron’s position as high priest. He, along with Dathan, Abiram, and On, conspired and persuaded 250 leaders of Israel to oppose Moses and Aaron. They accused Moses of being a tyrant and blamed him for their wandering, showing rebellion against the Lord.

God instructed Moses to have the rebels bring their censers alongside Moses and Aaron. When they stood before the Tabernacle, God’s glory appeared.

Bringing Others Down:

The glory-cloud appeared among the assembly, and God told Moses and Aaron to separate from the rebels to end their rebellion. Moses and Aaron interceded for the people, and God spared the entire nation. However, He punished the rebels.

Moses told the people to move away from Korah, Dathan, and Abiram. The rebels refused, challenging God. Moses warned that if they died an ordinary death, God had not sent him, but if God caused the earth to swallow them alive, then they had treated God with contempt.

God’s Wrath:

The earth opened and swallowed Korah, his followers, and their households alive. The earth closed on them, and they disappeared from the assembly. The 250 leaders who had offered incense were consumed by fire.

The next day, the Israelites grumbled against Moses and Aaron. God sent a plague that killed 14,700 people, stopping the grumbling.

This shows that God punishes those who challenge the priesthood, which is a divine calling. No one has the right to oppose this calling.

What can we learn from Korah and his rebellion?

Grumbling is common but when it becomes a habit, it shows ingratitude. God is patient but not accepting sin. He disciplines those He loves. Unconfessed anger and rebellion put us in danger of punishment. God’s harsh dealing with sin should make us thankful for His grace through Jesus, our mediator who took the punishment for us.