38. B.C. 1489 to 1432

B.C. 1489 to 1432

Chapter V

Timeline View:

1. During all this period, only one event of much importance is recorded. This was a very serious revolt against the theocratical government, by persons of high rank and consequence in some of the tribes, The rebels were heads of families and clans, who would have possessed high civil power, and would have exercised priestly functions under the patriarchal government: and their attempt must be regarded as a struggle of the old institutions against the new. In some shape or other, such a conflict almost always takes place between new forms of government and the ancient institutions which are altered or superseded. A settled and central government absorbs the power which, in a ruder state of society, is exercised by individuals over small sections of the general body; and these are commonly too fond of power to relinquish it without a struggle. Among the Hebrews, the supreme authority under which the new institutions had been framed, kept the great body of the natural heads of tribes and families quiet, whatever may have been their secret discontent; but there were some audacious spirits whom even this consideration could not restrain.

2. Korah, although himself a Levite, appears to have been the chief instigator of this revolt. His birth and station would have entitled him to a leading place in the tribe; and it is more than probable that another family being appointed to the priesthood, was the chief cause of his discontent. This, however, was not a ground on which be could expect much support from the chiefs of other tribes; and it was therefore pretended, that the liberties of the people had been infringed by Moses and Aaron; and that the heads of families had been unjustly deprived of the sacerdotal and other powers, which naturally belonged to them. The manner in which the high-priesthood had been made a high political office in a theocracy, exposed the priesthood to the jealousy which it might have escaped had its duties been only sacerdotal.

3. Besides Korah, two chiefs of the tribe of Reuben, Dathan and Abiram, are named as the principal malcontents; and it will be remembered, that this tribe, descended from the first-born of Jacob, had, as regards the civil and sacerdotal rights of primogeniture, suffered more than any other by the existing institutions, which gave the civil pre-eminence to Judah, and the sacerdotal to Levi. Two hundred and fifty other chiefs, probably from the different tribes, joined in this conspiracy, the very grave character of which may be estimated from the description of these persons as “princes of the assembly, famous in the congregation, men of renown” (Num 16:2).

4. The people appear to have been well disposed to listen to those who told them that they had cause to be discontented; that their liberties had been taken from them; and that the yoke of a central government was too heavy to be borne. The leaders, therefore, being supported by a large body of the “congregation,” at length openly charged Moses and Aaron with the usurpation of civil and pontifical power, and required them to lay it down. It was admitted that the appointments of the Divine King were absolute; but it was denied that it was, or could be, his intention that such powers should be vested in their hands. This they could only dispute by indirectly doubting the testimony of Moses, who brought this institution with him on his return from the Mount; and it was clear that, if his legislative agency in this matter could be set aside, an opening was made for overturning the whole system which rested on the same foundation. This was, no doubt, secretly understood on all sides: hence Moses at once saw that a special manifestation that the Aaronic priesthood was a Divine appointment, had become necessary, not only to establish that institution, but for the confirmation of the whole system, of which that was an integral part: and, in the confidence that God would vindicate his own appointments, Moses was content to refer the matter to him. After some strong words of reproof, he therefore invited the leading conspirators to exercise on the morrow, by offering incense, the sacerdotal functions to which they laid claim, and then the Lord would doubtless make known his own decision. Awful was that decision! As they stood with their censers to offer incense, they were suddenly consumed by fire from His presence: and the Reubenites, Dathan and Abiram, who had refused to attend, did not escape; for the earth opened and engulfed them where they stood, with their tents and all that belonged to them.

5. The discontent which these unhappy men had encouraged among the people, was too widely spread, and too deeply rooted, for even this awful judgment to subdue. The turbulent mob were, indeed, struck with present horror and alarm at the destruction of their leaders; but the next day they rallied, and assembled in great numbers, clamoring against Moses and Aaron, as if they were the authors of that judgment which the wrath of God had inflicted. Now again was the Divine wrath kindled, and a consuming plague went forth among the people. They fell, like corn before the reaper, until Aaron, at the desire of Moses, took a censer, with burning incense, and rushing forth among the people, stood between the living and the dead, when the plague was stayed. On this occasion fourteen hundred people perished (Numbers 16).

6. The destruction of those who unwarrantably pretended to sacerdotal functions, and the honor put upon Aaron by the plague being stayed at his intercession in his priestly character, were calculated to settle all real doubt regarding his appointment. But to place this matter beyond controversy, the Divine King was pleased to grant a special and abiding miracle. Moses was directed to take a rod from each of the tribes, and to engrave upon each rod the name of the tribe to which it belonged, but upon the rod of Levi to write Aaron’s name. All these rods were laid up in the tabernacle, before the ark, God having signified that he would cause to blossom the dry rod of the man chosen and appointed by him. The next day the rods were brought forth and delivered to those to whom they belonged, when it was found that the rod of Aaron had budded, blossomed, and borne ripe almonds. The rod which became the witness that Aaron had been divinely appointed to the priesthood, was directed to be laid up among the muniments of the tabernacle.

7. At length the forty years, during which the Israelites had been doomed to wander in the wilderness, were nearly expired, and the generation which, by their disobedience, had forfeited their title to the Promised Land, had perished. The new generation, although far from faultless, was, upon the whole, much superior to that which had passed away, and better fitted for the promised inheritance. As the time drew nigh, the host returned to the borders of Canaan, and we again find it encamped at Kadesh, whence it had formerly been sent back into the desert. Miriam, the sister of Moses and Aaron, died here; and here the brothers themselves forfeited their claim to enter the Promised Land. The want of water was experienced at Kadesh with so much severity, that the people became clamorous and reproachful. By this Moses and Aaron were so much disturbed, that, when instructed to smite a certain rock, from which water should then flow, they exhibited such impatience and distrust as, if left unpunished, might have had an injurious effect on the minds of the people. They were therefore interdicted from entering Canaan; but, at his earnest entreaty, Moses was promised a distant view of that “goodly land” which the Lord had promised to his people.

8. Considering the strength of the southern frontier of Canaan, and the warlike character of the inhabitants, it seemed much less desirable that the Israelites should invade the country on that side, and fight their way northward, than that they should at once enter a central and comparatively undefended part of the land. This could only be achieved by passing northward over into the country east of the Dead Sea, and crossing the Jordan into the heart of Palestine. From Kadesh, the nearest way to the east country was through a great valley in the mountains of Seir, which, however, could not be traversed with safely, if any resistance were made by its inhabitants the Edomites. An embassy was therefore sent to the king of Edom to remind him of the fraternity of the two nations, and request permission to pass through his country. This request, although couched in the most civil and respectful language, met with a direct and churlish refusal. It was therefore determined is return to the bead of the eastern arm of the Red Sea, from which it was easy to pass to the other side of the Seir mountains. On the way they had to pass by Mount Hor, one of the loftiest of these mountains, at the base of which they encamped. Upon that mountain Aaron died, and was buried; and his tomb is still seen afar off by those who travel in that solitary region. He was succeeded in the pontificate by his eldest son Eleazer (Numbers 20).

9. Before the Israelites quitted this place, they were unexpectedly attacked by the Canaanitish king Arad, who took some of them prisoners. For this they in due season took ample vengeance, by the extermination of his tribe, and the desolation of the land in which it dwelt.

10. The hosts of Israel on reaching Kadesh had fully expected that they were immediately to enter the Promised Land. They were, therefore, much discouraged at having to take another troublesome journey through so unpleasant a wilderness as that which bordered the land of Edom; and, by the time they reached the vicinity of the Red Sea, they broke forth into loud complaints for bread and water, and expressed their distaste at the manner in which they had been fed for nearly forty years, saying, “our soul loatheth this light food.” For this impatience, and for the contempt of God’s merciful provision, without which they must long ago have perished, the serpents, which infested, and do still infest that region, were sent among them in unwonted numbers, and whoever was bitten by them died. On this the people confessed their sin, and sought the intercession of Moses, who was instructed to make a serpent of brass, and elevate it upon a pole in the midst of the camp; and those who looked upon it were instantly cured. The brazen serpent was preserved as a memorial of this miracle for about 900 years, when, because the people were disposed to render it idolatrous honors, it was destroyed by king Hezekiah.