Numbers 16 Commentary
Now this feels like it. Chapter 15 feels out of place given the absorbing events in chapters 13 and 14. With Chapter 16, normal business resumes. It’s Korah’s turn for rebellion.
While the Sanctuary was open for worship to everyone, the conduct of its business was exclusively in the hands of the priests – the sons of Aaron. Korah and his friends weren’t happy with the exclusion. Moses had to go.
Who wouldn’t feel for Moses?
Moses attempts to clear the air by dialogue but fails. The problem is bigger and beyond dialogue.
Dathan and Abiram respond very rudely. The LORD angrily responds and wants to clear the rot – an entire community. But Moses and Aaron intercede and only the ring leaders and their families are punished.
The earth opens and swallows Korah and his friends. The end is swift and horrible!
The community reacts in anger against Moses and Aaron for ‘killing God’s people’. Indeed, the problem was bigger than Korah, Dathan, and Abiram; the entire community had issues with God’s choice.
God’s latest reaction is wholesale clearance and doesn’t even wait for Moses’ opinion. Moses knows the consequences and quickly dispatches an aged Aaron to intercede. The plague is stopped but only after 14,700 deaths. What a sad situation!
An intercessor becomes important. It points to the cross and how Calvary stands between the dead and the living. The real High Priest would stand between life and death – not with a censer but with his own blood.
Korah’s sin consumed both Korah and his family. You would guess a man’s righteousness would save both the man and his family!
This concept is properly underlined by Calvary. The righteousness of Jesus saves all who belong to Him – all who are born again and are identified as part of His family.
More resources visit http://www.lovingscripture.com
LOVING SCRIPTURE 