DBG - February 21 - Numbers 16-18

This chapter covers the rebellion of Korah.

vs. 1-3 – Korah, a Kohathite Levite, leads a rebellion against Moses and Aaron.  The rebellion against God in not entering the Promised Land now turns to rebellion against the men God had put in authority.  The pride of Korah made him seek to usurp and take the priesthood for himself.  Dathan and Abiram from the tribe of Reuben led a coalition of 250 leaders to take control of the nation from Moses.

vs. 4-7 – Moses tells Korah there will be a test to determine who God chooses to lead the priesthood. 

vs. 8-11 – Moses calls out Korah for his pride and ambition.

vs. 12-14 – The rebels led by Dathan and Abiram refuse to meet with Moses and accuse him of destroying the nation for his own ambition.

vs. 15 – Moses pleads his innocence before God.

vs. 16-19 – The stage is set for the test.  250 of the rebels present themselves at the Tabernacle to offer incense before the Lord, as does Aaron also.  God reveals His presence to the assembled people.

vs. 20-27 – God makes His choice and tells everyone to separate from the rebels.

vs. 28-34 – The earth opens and swallows Korah, his supporters, and their families.

vs. 35 – Fire from the Lord kills the 250 men that had offered incense in the test.

vs. 36-40 – Eleazar takes the 250 censers and makes a covering for the brazen alter from them. 

vs. 41-50 – The rebellion continues the next day as many blame Moses for the events of the previous day.  God sends a deadly plague among the people.  Moses tells Aaron to rush among them with a censor and incense to make atonement for them.  vs. 48 is among the most dramatic in the Bible: “And [Aaron] stood between the dead and the living; and the plague was stayed.”  14,700 die in this plague. 

In this chapter we see God’s confirmation of the choice of Aaron and Levi.

vs. 1-5 – Another test is given to prove God’s choice of Aaron as high priest and the tribe of Levi for its special role.  A leader from each tribe was to put their rod (walking staff) into the Tabernacle with their name on them.  The one God chose would produce buds.

vs. 6-11 – The next morning Aaron’s rod had not only budded but produced fruit.  Moses shows the people the results.  Aaron’s rod is kept as a testimony in the Tabernacle, and Hebrews 9:24 says specifically it was in the Ark of the Covenant.

vs. 12-13 – Albert Barnes writes on these verses: “A new section should begin with these verses. They are connected retrospectively with Num. 16; and form the immediate introduction to Num. 18. The people were terror-stricken by the fate of the company of Korah and by the plague. Presumption passed by reaction into despair. Was there any approach for them to the tabernacle of the Lord? Was there any escape from death, except by keeping aloof from His presence? The answers are supplied by the ordinances which testified that the God of judgment was still a God of grace and of love.”

In this chapter God reinforces the importance of and the provision for the Levites.

vs. 1-7 – Here is the answer to the question that closes the previous chapter, ” Whosoever cometh any thing near unto the tabernacle of the LORD shall die: shall we be consumed with dying?”  The priests and their service assure, according to vs. 5, “that there be no wrath any more upon the children of Israel.” 

vs. 8-19 - This section highlights the portions that belong to the priesthood.  This is God’s care for these men and their families that serve Him. 

vs. 20-32 – This section highlights the financial provision for the priesthood through the tithes of the people.  The Levites had not territory and were supported through these offerings.

Some point to the rebellion of Korah as the low point of the wilderness journey. It is said that there are other contenders in that category! The rebellion against God in not entering the Promised Land led to rebellion against His appointed leaders. Rebellion is born out of pride and a lack of faith in God. It rarely stops in just one area and takes over a person’s life and mindset.

Today’s hymn, “Aaron’s Rod”, was written by George Richards in the late 1700’s.  It connects Aaron and his rod to Christ and His rod and staff (Psalm 23:4).

See Isr'el's tribes brought near to God;
And ev'ry prince present his rod:
Whilst one alone with blossoms blooms,
And sheds the almond's rich perfumes.

'Twas his, the type of him divine,
Whom thou, O Lord, hast chose as thine;
The man, the priest, the stem, the root,
Who bears for us immortal fruit.

Jesus, High Priest of good to come!
Thy rod, thy staff shall guide us home:
Thro' death's dark vale, we'll trust its pow'r,
Nor fear a shadow's shaded hour.