Honestly, this is one of the hardest chapters I have read. Korah, from the tribe of Levi (one of the servants of the Lord at the tabernacle) along with two lieutenants, leads a rebellion of 250 chiefs against Moses and Aaron (against God, really). They claim the Levites are just as holy as they, and accuse Moses and Aaron of elevating themselves above everyone else. I you remember when Miriam accused Moses of the same thing, we realize this won’t end well. To summarize, God consumes the 250 chiefs with fire, after opening up the earth and swallowing Korah, his lieutenants, and their families alive.
If God quelling the chieftain/Levitical rebellion wasn’t enough, the entire congregation of Israel then rises up against Moses and Aaron, accusing them of murder:
“But on the next day all the congregation of the people of Israel grumbled against Moses and against Aaron, saying, ‘You have killed the people of the Lord.’ …and the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, ‘Get away from the midst of this congregation, that I may consume them in a moment.’ And they fell on their faces. And Moses said to Aaron, ‘Take your censer, and put fire on it from off the altar and lay incense on it and carry it quickly to the congregation and make atonement for them, for wrath has gone out from the Lord; the plague has begun.’ So Aaron took it as Moses said and ran into the midst of the assembly. And behold, the plague had already begun among the people. And he put on the incense and made atonement for the people. And he stood between the dead and the living, and the plague was stopped. Now those who died in the plague were 14,700, besides those who died in the affair of Korah.” (v41-49 abr)
As hard as it is to hear that God destroyed some 15,000 people, we must understand the context and reasons behind it.
We know that God is holy, and He will not tolerate sin in His presence. So, He allowed sin sacrifices and made a way for forgiveness for all who would humble their hearts and repent – He did this out of love so He wouldn’t have to destroy the people. God being all knowing, must have known these specific people were not going to repent of their rebellion, so He destroyed them for their sin.
Another reason God likely destroyed these people, is sin is contagious – it will spread like a plague and corrupt people. Korah and his two lieutenants corrupted some 250+ people. If God hadn’t stopped this sin in its tracks, it probably would have continued to spread.
God, being a God of love, did show restraint and forgiveness in the final verses where Aaron rushed through the congregation of Israel atoning for their sin (interceding on their behalf). God didn’t have to halt the plague, but He relented, because Moses and Aaron once again interceded for the people. God is well within His rights to destroy every person for their sin, but He chooses to forgive, and only those who remain unrepentant will perish.
As brutal as this chapter seems, I really like the imagery of Aaron running through the crowds, praying over the people so that they may be saved. I picture Jesus doing the very same thing on our behalf – offering a sacrifice and prayers for us, standing “between the dead and the living, and the plague was stopped”. This is beautiful imagery of Christ’s love for us, bridging the gap between death and life, halting the plague of sin that is certain to wipe everyone out if He doesn’t intercede.
Once more I am reminded of our hopeless sin condition that is destined to destroy us, if not for the intervention of Christ, and God’s infinite mercy. Do we deserve to be spared? No, God is just. Yet, God is merciful, and Jesus took the wrath that was due us, accepting the death penalty on our behalf. All we need to do is confess our sin, repent, and praise God. We are so blessed, we are so forgiven, and I am so thankful.
Father God, Lord of infinite mercy and grace, we thank you. We could never pay the penalty for our own sin, and are deserving of Your wrath. Yet, Jesus selflessly offered Himself as an intercessory sacrifice to assuage Your wrath. We confess our sin and brokenness and humbly accept Jesus as our Savior. Father, please forgive us, and please help us to remain Your humble servants. May we never take Your forgiveness for granted, nor elevate ourselves higher than we should. Please guide us, for You are our God, and we are Your people. Amen.
~ Conqueror in Training