The Rebellion of Korah

Numbers 16:1-50

INTRODUCTION:  We have read and studied so much about rebellion in the last few chapters that it is beginning to get old.  Imagine how Moses and Aaron must have felt—much less the Lord Himself.  God treats rebellion as the greatest of sins (1Sam.15:23).  It is a terrible accusation to call a people a rebellious generation (Ps.78:8)  Yet, here they go again.  How can we detect rebellion in a person; in a people; in a family; in a church?  What steps can we take to avoid being rebellious?

I.          THE CHALLENGE OF THE REBELS (16:1-11)

            A.            The Rebels Themselves (v.1-2)

                        1.            Korah (v.1)

                                    a.            Of the tribe of Levi

                                    b.            The tribe chosen to do the work of the tabernacle

                        2.            Dathan, Abiram and On (v.1)

                                    a.            Of the tribe of Reuben

       b.          The tribe of the firstborn who lost his birthright because of sin (1Chr.5:1-2)

                        3.            Two hundred and fifty princes of Israel (v.2)

            B.            Their Accusation of Moses and Aaron (v.3)

                        1.            You take too much on you (cp.Num.12:2)

                        2.            All the congregation is holy (see Ex.19:3-6)

            C.            Moses Speaks to the Rebels (v.4-7)

                        1.            He fell on his face in prayer (v.4)

                        2.            God will do His own choosing (v.5-7a)

                        3.            The rebels take too much on them (v.7b with v.3)

            D.            Moses Speaks to the Sons of Levi (v.8-11)

                        1.            God has brought you near to Himself (v.8-9)

                        2.            Why do you seek the priesthood also? (v.10-11)

II.          THE BATTLE WITH THE REBELS (16:12-22)

            A.            Dathan and Abiram Refuse Instruction (v.12-15)

                        1.            They refuse to come up (v.12)

                        2.            They accuse Moses (v.13-14)

                                    a.            He brought them out of a land of milk and honey (v.13)

                                    b.            He has not brought them to the promised land (v.14)

                                    c.            We will not submit to your commands (v.14)

                        3.            Moses asks God not to respect their offering (v.15)

            B.            Moses Instructs the 250 to Bring Censers (v.16-19)

                        1.            Korah and his company take their censers (v.16-18)

                        2.            The glory of the Lord appears (v.19)

            C.            Moses Intercedes for the Congregation (v.20-22)

                        1.            God desires to consume the entire congregation (v.20-21)

                        2.            Moses and Aaron plead for the people (v.22)

III.            SEPARATION FROM THE REBELS (16:23-30)

            A.            Moses Commands Separation From the Rebel’s Camp (v.23-24)

            B.            Moses Speaks of the Wickedness of the Rebels (v.25-28); Moses testifies:

                        1.            God has sent me (v.28)

                        2.            I have not done these works “of mine own mind”

            C.            Moses Prophesies a Unique Death for the Rebels (v.29-30)

                        1.            If they die as men normally die, Moses is not sent by God (v.29)

                        2.            If God makes a new thing happen, then Moses is sent (v.30)

IV.        GOD’S JUDGMENT ON THE REBELS (16:31-40)

            A.            The Rebels Are Judged (v.31-35)

                        1.            The earth swallows up the camp of the rebels (v.31-33)

                        2.            The congregation flees for fear of the Lord (v.34)

                        3.            A fire from God consumes the 250 men (v.35)

            B.            The Censers are preserved (v.36-40)

                        1.            Eleazar is commanded to gather the censers (v.36-38)

                        2.            They are to make a plate to cover the altar (v.39-40)

V.         THE CONGREGATION FOLLOWS THE REBELS (16:41-50)

            A.            The Congregation Murmurs at the Death of the Rebels (v.41-43)

                        1.            The people murmur against Moses and Aaron (v.41)

                        2.            The glory of the Lord comes down (v.42-43)

            B.            Moses Intercedes for the Congregation (v.44-45)

                        1.            God again wants to consume the congregation (v.44-45a)

                        2.            Moses and Aaron again intercede for them (v.45b)

            C.            Aaron Makes an Atonement for the Congregation (v.46-50)

                        1.            The plague begins among the congregation (v.46)

                        2.            Aaron runs to make an atonement for them (v.47-48)

                        3.            The plague kills 14,700 before Aaron can make the offering (v.49-50)

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