Numbers 16 (v20-35), The Rebellion of Korah

Numbers 16-17 go together: 16 has the story of rebellion, 17 has God’s method of laying the issue to rest.  Let’s begin with a reminder of the Levi and Reuben ancestral lines so we know more of these men who led the rebellion.

Jacob >> Levi >> Gershon, Kohath, Merari

     Kohath >> Amram, Izhar, Hebron, Uzziel (Num. 3:19)

·       Amram >> Aaron, Moses (Ex. 6:20)

o   Aaron >> Nadab, Abihu, Eleazer, Ithamar

·       Izhar >> Korah, Nepheg, Zichri (Ex. 6:21)

o   Korah >> Assir, Elleanah, Abiasaph (Ex. 6:22-23)

·       Uzziel >> Elizaphen (Ex. 3:30)

    o   Elizaphen >> Michel, Elzaphan, Zithri

Jacob >> Reuben >> Hannoch, Pallu, Hezron, Carmi

Pallu >> Eliab (Num. 26:7-9)

            ·       Eliab >> Nemual, Dathan, Abiram.

Thus, the leaders of the rebellion were a cousin of Aaron and Moses who was also from the priestly line (Kohath; they carried the holy things), and men from Reuben, Jacob’s oldest but disgraced son who had been passed over for the birthright.  How often has this happened in a church, that men elevated to leadership and others overlooked for leadership join in rebellion, splitting the church? 

Concerning the charges brought against Moses and Aaron, note the following.  This is the rise of false teachers and bad theology in Israel.  Second, they are calling for a democracy (“all the congregation is holy;” they all should have a say in this) rather than the dictatorship God established.  Num. 16:13-14 is an amazing twisting of the facts.  Moses’ leading of the people into the land was delayed because of the sin of the people.  I have heard the same things today about Jesus.  I know a very intelligent Jewish man who rejects Jesus as the Christ because Jesus didn’t bring in peace and prosperity.  Jesus also is “delayed” because of the sin of the Nation.  Yet, He will come again and establish a saved Nation in peace and prosperity.

Moses and Aaron make intercession for the congregation of Israel in response to the LORD’s anger (v20-22).  God’s “training” of Moses to be a loving shepherd has certainly been fruitful.  He continued to stand for them, and would again the next day when the congregation itself rebelled against Moses’ leadership (v46-50).  This should be a challenge to me and all believers not to become weary in praying for unsaved loved ones.  Even stories like this, when three clans fall into the middle of the earth, should be a reminder of God’s mercy.  He will punish the guilty but He will also forgive many!  That is His name (Ex. 34:6-7).