Numbers 16

Numbers 16:12-22

This chapter contains the rebellion of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram. 1. They contend for the grief-hand against Aaron, ver. 1-3, and Moses restless with them, and appeals to God for a division of the controversy, ver. 4-11. 2. Dathan and Abiram quarrel with Moses, and refuse to obey his summons, which greatly grieves him, ver. 12-15. 3. When they assembled at the door of the tabernacle, God appears in wrath to implore them, and Moses and Aaron placed for the people, ver. 16-22. 4. The rebels claim, ver. 23-35. 5. Their confers preferred, ver. 37-40. 6. A new injurrection of the people, ver. 41-43, followed by a plague, ver. 45, but stayed at Aaron’s interception, ver. 46-50.

1. NOW Korah, the son of Iqbal, the son of Ko-hatl, the son of Levi; and Dathan and Abiram the sons of Eliab, and On the son of Peleth, sons of Reu-

ben, took men. 2. And they rose up before Moses, with certain of the children of Israel, two hundred and fifty princes of the assembly, famous in the congregation, men of renown. 3. And they gathered themselves together against Moses, and against Aaron, and laid unto them, To take too much upon you, seeing all the congregation are holy every one of them, and the LORD is among them: wherefore then lift you up yourselves above the congregation of the LORD: 4. And when Moses heard it, he fell upon his face: 5. And he spake unto Korah, and unto all his company, saying, Even tomorrow the LORD will shew who are his, and who is holy: and will cause him to come near unto him: even him whom he hath chosen, will he cause to come near unto him. 6. This do; Take you censers, Korah, and all his company. 7. And put fire therein, and put incense in them before the LORD to-morrow: and it shall be that the man whom the LORD doth choose, he shall be holy: ye take too much upon you, ye sons of Levi. 8. And Moses said unto Korah, Hear, I pray you, ye sons of Levi: 9. Semeth it but a small thing unto you, that the God of Israel hath separated you from the congregation of Israel, to bring you near to himself, to do the service of the tabernacle of the LORD, and to stand before the congregation, to minister unto them: 10. And he hath brought thee near to him, and all thy brethren the sons of Levi with thee: and seek ye the priesthood also? 11. For which cause both thou, and all thy company are gathered together against the LORD: and what is Aaron, that ye murmur against him?

9. 1-11. How dire are the consequences of ambition! To this the greatest them, and most flourishing churches, may ascribe their ruin. 1. The ringleader in this rebellion was Korah, a Levite, a near relation of Moses and Aaron; yet consumed with envy at the honour God had put on them, Dathan and Abiram, and On, of the tribe of Reuben, join him in their discontent, perhaps because, though the eldest tribe, Judah was preferred before them, and quickly incense their party with two hundred and fifty princes of the assembly. The spirit of rebellion is a spreading evil. 2. The quarrel was Aaron’s pre-present to the priesthood. They pretend, as equally holy, to have an equal right to it; and insinuate, that Moses and Aaron meant to aggravate themselves, though God had in such an especial manner called them to their office. Nate, (1.) The best of characters cannot stand before envy. (2.) Ambitious state or church reformers too often pretend they design to humble others, but mean in fact to exalt themselves. 3. Moses falls on his face in prayer, least such a mutiny should ruin them, and through grief to hear such an ungrateful accusation. He appeals to God to decide the controversy, and is ready to reign up all his power into the hand that gave it: to-morrow the Lord shall chuckle whom he will have to serve him. Willing to prevent, however, an experiment which threatens to be so fatal to them, he expeditulates with them, if they will hear expeditulation, on the evil of their conduct. Many were the blessings and privileges enjoyed by Korah and his brethren. They were Levites, distinguished by being set apart for God, honoured with the service of the tabernacle, and permitted to draw nearer to God than others. These peculiar distinctions should surely have contented them, but pride is never satisfied; nothing sufficient them, which the priesthood is withheld: this was rebellion joined with ingratitude. It was not Aaron, but Aaron’s God, against whom they had left up their tongues. Nate, (1.) Whoever are called to minister before the Lord, should esteem it a distinguished privilege. (2.) Envy and ambition in ministers, is doubly guilty. (3.) They who quarrel with the distinctions God hath made, are rebels against his government.

10. ¶ And Moses sent to call Dathan and Abiram, the sons of Eliab: which said, We will not come up. 13. Is it a small thing that thou hast brought us up out of a land that floweth with milk and honey, to kill us in the wilderness, except thou make thyself altogether a prince over us? 14. Moreover, thou hast not brought us into a land that floweth with milk and honey, or given us inheritance of fields and vineyards: will thou put out the eyes of these men? we will not come up. 15. And Moses was very wroth, and said unto the LORD, Respect not thou their offering: I have not taken one as from them, neither have I hurt one of them. 16. And Moses said unto Korah, Be thou and all thy company before the LORD, thou, and they, and Aaron to-morrow: 17. And take every man his center, and put incense in them, and bring ye before the LORD every man

man

man his center, two hundred and fifty centers; thou also and Aaron each of you his center. 18. And they took every man his center, and put fire in them, and laid incense thereon, and stood in the door of the tabernacle of the congregation with Moses and Aaron. 19. And Korah gathered all the congregation against them, unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation; and the glory of the LORD appeared unto all the congregation. 20. And the LORD spake unto Moses, and unto Aaron, saying, ‘21. Separate yourselves from among this congregation, that I may consume them in a moment. 22. And they fell upon their faces, and said, O God, ’the God of the spirits of all flesh, shall one man fin, and wilt thou be wroth with all the congregation?

Dathan and Abiram, abettors of Korah, being summoned to attend, return an answer, insistent as unjust. They charge Moses as having brought them from plenty to perish in the wilderness, as deceiving their hopes and expectations, and as designing to enslave them. What infamous and insidious accusations? Was Egypt such a land of plenty? Were they out of Causan, but through their own rebellion? And was not Moses’s father, rather than a matter over them; from whose kind interposition alone it was that they were this day alive thus to malign him? Such returns of evil for good are the lot of holy men. The most zealous ministers for the service of men’s souls, must expect to meet with the severest reproaches.

Judgement for the heart of Moses at such safe ingratitude to himself, but more to the them bent on their own destruction. He appeals to God for the uprightness of his conduct. He had served them without reward, administered impartial justice, nor could his greatest enemies support a charge of the most minute injury received from him; and therefore begs God would himself manifest his approbation, and reject their religious offerings. Now, The greatest comfort under all accusations is the testimony of a good conscience. The morrow is appointed for the decision of the controversy: Moses and Aaron offer to appear on a level with them, and let God choke whom he will have. Korah accepts the challenge, and wilfully blind to the awful judgments on Nadab and Abihu, residents to make the experiment. Those whom God devotes to destruction, he gives up to the blindness and handness of their hearts. The morning comes, and Korah, eager to make the trial, collects the congregation against Moses (for it is too plain they ever faded with the rebellious) and with his center ready, in his own control, already triumphs. Thus suddenly is the impenetrant sinner hurled from the pinnacle of vain confidence, into the depths of eternal despair and torment.

God, as the judge, ascends the throne of his glory in terrible Majesty, to decide the controversy. He bids Moses and Aaron instantly separate themselves, that he might consume the rest in a moment: they who followed the rebels, are ready to share in their own; to dangerous it is to have fellowship with Bimba. Moses and Aaron, as faithful and tender pailors, though to ill treated, fall down on their faces, importunate failure for mercy on the people: an example to be imitated by every minister, every christian, towards his bitterest persecutors. Their prayer is there, but appointe: they address God, as the God of the spirits of all flesh, and therefore acquainted with the secrets of all hearts, also to distinguish the deceiver from the deceiver; and therefore beg him to pass by the transgression of the people, and let the vengeance light only on the ringleader of the rebellion. Now, There is a great difference between those who fin of malice, and those who through weakness are drawn in to follow them.

23. ¶ And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, 24. Speak unto the congregation, saying, Get you up from about the tabernacle of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram. 25. And Moses rose up, and went unto Dathan, and Abiram; and the elders of Israel followed him. 26. And he spake unto the congregation, saying, ‘Depart, I pray you, from the tents of the wicked men, and touch nothing of theirs, letly be consumed in all their sins. 27. So they put up from the tabernacle of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram, on every side: and Dathan and Abiram came out, and stood in the door of their tents, and their wives, and their sons, and their little children. 28. And Moses said, Hereby ye shall know that the LORD hath sent me to do all these works: for I have not done them of mine own mind. 29. If these men die the common death of all men, or if they be vilified after the violation of all men; then the LORD hath not sent me. 30. But if the LORD make a new thing, and the earth open her mouth, and swallow them up,

with all that appertain unto them, and they go down quick into the pit; then ye shall understand that these men have provoked the LORD. 31. ¶ And it came to pass, as he had made an end of speaking all these words, that the ground clave afunder that was under them: 32. And the earth opened her mouth, and swabed them up, and their houses, and all the men that appertained unto Korah, and all their goods. 33. They and all that appertained to them went down alive into the pit, and the earth closed upon them: and they perished from among the congregation. 34. And all Israel that were round about them fled at the cry of them: for they said, Left the earth swallow us up also.

Numbers 16:23-34

Moses, at God’s command, is enjoined to give the people warning. Some distinguished tent had been reared, perhaps, for the confidulation of the rebel princes, and the people had gathered around them, whether as partition of their cause, or spectators of the issue. 1. Moses immediately proceeds to execute his commission; he seeks full to prevail on Dathan and Abiram themselves to repeat of their sins, that they might prevent the approaching ruin; at least, if they refused, to call upon those who were about their tents to fire for their lives. The elders of Israel accompany him, to countenance his authority, and to enslave, by their pretence, the mandate he brought. Now, (1.) It becomes so to use every endearing method to save our bitterest enemies from ruin. (2.) They who follow evil doers in their ways, are in danger of being consumed with their plagues. (3.) We must hear the voice of God calling us to flee from the wrath to come, and save ourselves from this untoward generation. 2. The people with haffes obeyed; get themselves up on every side, and removed their tents at a distance: fear of ruin is often the hell drop to falcon. 3. The rebels, incorrigibly audacious, with their families at their tent doors, seem to have the divine threatening: they who thus refuse to fear, will surely kill into mischief. 4. The fortunes is pronounced, and Moses appeals to its certain execution for the proof of his own divine millions. If these men die of natural diseases, or age, or any death common to men, he would admit every accusation as true; but if the earth opened, and swallowed them up alive, the evidence of his innocence and their guilt must be uncontroverted. 5. No sooner spoken is the word, than done; a new unprecedented judgment overtakes them, the ground cleaves afunder, alive they defend into the pit, their thricks and cries are fruitless, the earth closes upon them, as groaning under their guilt, and weary of their blasphemies. Now, (1.) It is of God’s mercy we are not all consumed, and that the earth doth not swallow up such sinners as we are. (2.) If men continue impenetrant, the laws of hell stand open to devour them, and if that pit that her mouth upon them, then they perish for ever. 6. Shocked at the fearful sight, and terrified at their cries, the people fly full farther from the dreadful scene, not without just apprehensions, as they defended, of sharing the like fate. Now, (1.) We are usually much terrified at danger, and little at sin; yet sin is the most terrible part of every judgment. (2.) We should do well to look down into the everlasting burrings, and open our ears to the thricks that fill the horrid caverns of Tophat; that, warned by others sufferings, we come not into their place of torment.

35. And there came out a fire from the LORD, and consumed the two hundred and fifty men that offered incense. 36. ¶ And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, 37. Speak unto Eleazar, the son of Aaron the priest, that he take up the centers out of the burning, and scatter thou the fire yonder; for they are hallowed. 38. The centers of these sinners against their own souls, let them make them broad plates for a covering of the altar: for they offered them before the LORD, therefore they are hallowed: and they shall be a sign unto the children of Israel. 39. And Eleazar the priest took the brazen centers, wherewith they that were burnt had offered; and they were made broad plates for a covering of the altar: 40. To be a memorial unto the children of Israel, that no stranger, which is not of the seed of Aaron, come near to offer incense before the LORD; that he be not as Korah, and as his company: as the LORD said to him by the hand of Moses.

Numbers 16:35-40

When God begins, he will make an end; and a fearful thing is to fall into his hands. We have here.

1. The judgment on the two hundred and fifty princes before the congregation, at the same time that the earth swallowed up their companions. They offered unhallowed fire, and a consuming fire is stirred up round about them. Aspiring, like Lucifer, to be hapled, they suffer with him the just reward of their deeds. Now, None ever sinner against God, and prospered.

1 2. God Adams Ch. 14th.

2. God orders Eleazar to scatter the fire which they had taken from the altar in their centers, and was hallowed, and of the confers to make a covering for the brazen altar; a constant warning to future generations to avoid their sin, lest they shared their punishment. Note, (1.) God abhors the services of the wicked, and the very prayers of the self-righteous are as much an abomination as the incense of Korah. (2.) Monuments of vengeance are necessary and useful; that they who see and hear, may fear, and do no more wickedly.

3. ¶ But on the morrow all the congregation of the children of Israel murmured against Moses, and against Aaron, saying, Ye have killed the people of the LORD. 42. And it came to pass when the congregation was gathered against Moses, and against Aaron, that they looked toward the tabernacle of the congregation; and behold, the cloud covered it, and the glory of the LORD appeared. 43. And Moses and Aaron came before the tabernacle of the congregation. 44. ¶ And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, 45. Get you up from among this congregation, that I may consume them as in a moment; and they fell upon their faces. 46. ¶ And Moses said unto Aaron, Take a center, and put fire therein from off the altar, and put on incense, and go quickly unto the congregation, and make an atonement for them: for there is wrath gone out from the LORD; the plague is begun. 47. And Aaron took as Moses commanded, and ran into the midst of the congregation; and behold, the plague was begun among the people; and he put on incense, and made an atonement for the people. 48. And he stood between the dead and the living, and the plague was stayed. 49. Now they that died in the plague were fourteen thousand and seven hundred, besides them that died about the matter of Korah. 50. And Aaron returned unto Moses, unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation: and the plague was stayed.

Numbers 16:41-50

How ineffectual are the severest judgments to change the heart! Were a finner dragged through the belly of hell, and brought to earth again, his tears would be quickly forgotten, and he would return as a dog to his vomit. Nothing but Almighty Grace can work an abiding change.

1. The very next day the people rebelled, and made this stroke of God a plea of accusation against Moses and Aaron. Admonishing perversion! They who but yesterday heard the cries of their perishing brethren, to-day renew their provocations, nay add to them; they call the rebels the people of the Lord, and charge Moses and Aaron as their murderers. Thus the best of men will find themselves often exposed to the most malignant misrepresentations.

2. God’s glory appears, to rescue his servants from the violence of the wicked, and to execute candage punishment on such incorrigible offenders. Moses and Aaron with confidence approach the Lord, assured of his protection; and, as they no doubt expected, hear the dire threatening of a justly offended God, ready to consume such a rebel race. Note, They need not fear the congregation of the wicked, who are safe under the shadow of the Almighty.

3. Moses and Aaron, never wanting in the expression of tenderest regard for Israel, renew their complications; and as the plague suddenly began its ravages among the people, Aaron hides to make atonement for them; and, with his burning center, stands between the living and the dead. God accepted their prayer and incense, and the plague was stayed. Learn, (1.) That no provocations should restrain us from flying to the relief of those whom we can help or save. (2.) A faithful minister of Christ, whenever his duty calls, is ready to expose his life for the service of the people. (3.) Aaron was herein a type of Christ: he stayed the decon662 plague, by the interposition of his own body on the tree, and saved his choirs from sinking in the common defolation.

4. Great havock had been made in a short moment; no less than fourteen thousand and seven hundred perished, and a mercy it was that any escaped: but God delighteth not in the death of a finner. Let us fear to offend him, for his wrath is terrible; and let the views of his amazing patience and pardons engage our hearts to return to him with humble flower for past offences, and renewed purposes of obedience for the future.