Numbers 16b Commentary
Korah’s punishment doesn’t mean leaders cannot be criticized when they go wrong. But Korah’s criticism of Moses is premised on wrong motives. It doesn’t arise from a discomfort that Moses lacked the required zeal for the LORD.
On the contrary, Korah’s assertion that the “whole community” is holy contradicts God’s assessment of the same community. As things stand, the same community remains disqualified from entering the Promised Land!
We are suspicious of Korah and his friends. We didn’t hear from them when Aaron made the golden calf or when the spies spread a false report. Their cry has everything to do with personal interests. The interests of the LORD God don’t matter.
The saint must check his criticism for hidden personal interests. It shouldn’t arise from individual preferences. And when your criticism comes with disrespect, scorn, or hatred, know you are on the devil’s payroll!
Could Moses have possibly opened up the ground for Korah? Even they knew it wasn’t Moses! But who cares? Sin thrives on the blame game.
Who cares that Moses has countless times interceded and sought God’s favor for the same community?
Sin has a way of blinding the victim from reality. You only see the “bad” side of someone. It also blinds you from your own faults. If Moses has failed to bring them to the land flowing with milk and honey, Korah must know who to blame. It’s the same “holy community” (including Korah) who should shoulder the blame!
This chapter reduces Israel’s numbers by a significant amount – all at once!
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