1 Chronicles 5:1-2 tells us that Reuben defiled his father’s bed (Genesis 35:22), so Joseph received the rights of the firstborn which was a double portion of inheritance. Both of Joseph’s sons are tribes of Israel (Ephraim and Manasseh), this is Joseph's double portion. Perhaps Reuben's actions showed he had a problem with respect. If so, it seems this disrespect has been passed down to his descendants represented in this group who feel a sense of entitlement to leadership of Israel. Sadly, who else rises up against Moses with these men? “With them were 250 Israelite men, well-known community leaders who had been appointed members of the council.” (Numbers 16:2) According to Matthew Henry, these 250 are probably heads of the families who used to lead spiritually. These men probably feel they have lost their position and are easily led to rebel.
Numbers Chapter 2 tells us that Reuben and the other two tribes in his camp are arranged south of the tabernacle. (Numbers 2:10) The next chapter tells us that the Kohathites camp on the south side of the tabernacle between Reuben’s camp and the tabernacle. (Numbers 3:29) This proximity has likely led to their collaboration in this rebellion. When we spend time together with others, it can be time used to build each other up or to feed discontent that one or the other has. May we use our time with our neighbors to build each other up and glorify the Lord.
REBELS
So here we have 254 men as a group opposing Moses and Aaron, saying, “You have gone too far! The whole community is holy, every one of them, and the Lord is with them. Why then do you set yourselves above the Lord’s assembly?” (Numbers 16 verse 3) This is unbelievable! Moses is so humble and cares so much for these ungrateful people and this is the thanks he gets?! If it wasn’t for Moses, they would be dead. Moses had never even wanted to lead these people. He has asked God for a reprieve, a replacement, and more help repeatedly. To accuse Moses and Aaron of setting themselves above the community is absurd. These rebels have seen Moses’ face reflecting the glory of God. The people are the ones who said they didn’t want to talk to God and begged Moses to talk to Him for them. (Exodus 20:19)
This rebellion is truly incited by the devil himself because PRIDE was his downfall and everyone is susceptible to that heinous sin. Instead of being grateful for Moses and Aaron’s leadership, dedication, intercession and caring for them, the leaders here are trying to gain their positions for themselves. Psalm 75:7 says God exalts one and brings down another. It is God who judges. These men forget that God raises up and God tears down. We have no position in this world that God has not appointed us to. Moses and Aaron assumed nothing. God Himself chose Moses and Aaron and appointed them to lead His people out of Egypt.
In keeping with his character and his past dealings with the Israelites, the words of these rebels causes Moses to do what? He falls face down again! He intercedes for those opposing him! What do you do when someone opposes you? Do you yell at them, insult them, use sarcasm, walk away, strike them? The hardest thing to do is to walk away or to speak love in response. Praying to God for patience is understandable, but praying for them is truly a supernatural response. Jesus tells us to bless those who persecute us (Romans 12:14) and Moses is certainly putting this in to practice. No lapse of time is recorded here, but God must have spoken to Moses because he assuredly stands back up and announces a showdown in the morning.
What two things is the Lord going to show in the morning? He will show the Israelites who belongs to God and who is holy. How will He show this? Korah and his followers are told to show up in the morning with censers containing burning coals and incense and that would be part of how God will show who is His and who is holy. Moses tells them they are the ones who have gone too far, and Moses is right. Moses is defending God and his brother. He trusts God and listens to His word. When we are righteous and love the word of God, any offense to the Word offends us. This is just and our calling from God. We are to uphold the truth and defend God’s honor. Moses sets this example for us.
As Moses continues to answer the charges from Korah and his band of rebels, he speaks directly to Korah and the Levites with him, condemning them for wanting more than the honor God has already bestowed upon them. Kohathites should be honored to be responsible for the most holy things in the tabernacle. But these men are going after the priesthood; they are discontent with their position.
BE CONTENT
As believers, we should be content. (Philippians 4:11-13) Sometimes when we are discontent, God is changing our hearts and moving us on in a certain area. But discontentment like we see here is purely self-indulgence. These men want the priesthood and feel they deserve it, possibly even more than Aaron. Moses ends his words against Korah with saying that they are really fighting against God. Paul tells us in Ephesians that our battles are not against flesh and blood. (Ephesians 6:12) Remember when you are in conflict, that your battle is NOT against flesh and blood. The father of lies does all he can to break relationships, especially in families. A believer’s godly relationships are a threat to the work of the devil.
Moses now turns to Dathan and Abiram (On is not mentioned again in the chapter; we can assume that he stepped back from the conflict.) to hear their grievance. They refuse to come to Moses to give vent to their complaint. They say no at the beginning and at the end of their response. Embodied in the "No’s" is the accusation that Moses took them out of a land flowing with milk and honey and brought them to the wilderness. Egypt was certainly not flowing with milk and honey and if it had been, it would have been the result of their efforts and sweat. God brought them into the wilderness, but it was only supposed to be for a short time. Through their own actions, Israel extended their desert stay. They have no one to blame but themselves. They have not received their inheritance, these men complain. And they think Moses is going to treat them like slaves. Emotions can really cloud thought and twist words. Dathan and Abiram are contemptuous and delusional.
Moses takes his complaint to God, asking Him not to accept these men’s offerings. “Herein he seems to refer to the history of Cain, lately written by his own hand, of whom it is said that to him and his offering God had not respect, Gen. 4:5 . These that followed the gainsaying of Korah walked in the way of Cain (these are put together, Jude 1:1, ), and therefore he prays that they might be frowned upon as Cain was, and put to the same confusion.” (Matthew Henry)
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