Numbers 16  The people of Israel were still questioning and challenging Moses and Aaron.. and rebelling against the Lord's clear commands.. even after seeing the consequences of those who had died already in their rebellion and unbelief.. 

Korah was the son of Izhar.. a relative of Moses and Aaron.. a leader in the tribe of Levi.  Dathan and Abiram and On.. were from the tribe of Reuben. Verse 1 tells us that this little gang.. "took action".  They brought 250 of the other leaders "men of renown".. Men put into position by the Lord's own choice.. and they all came against Moses and Aaron. "You have gone far enough .. " they told Moses. We are holy.. everyone is holy.. the Lord is here.. "so why do you exalt yourselves above the assembly of the Lord?"

Mose fell on his face.  He was a humble man.. but he was not a weak man.  Moses told Korah and the others to come before the Lord the next day.."tomorrow morning the Lord will show who is His, and who is holy, and will bring him near to Himself; even the one whom He will choose, He will bring near to Himself." 

The next day Korah and some fellow Levites showed up.. but Dathan and Abiram wouldn't even answer the summons to come before the Lord.  So Moses told the people to get back away from the dwellings of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram.. and the Lord  did a new thing.. "the ground that was under them split open; and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed them up, and their households, and all the men who belonged to Korah, with their possessions. So they and all that belonged to them went down alive to Sheol; and the earth closed over them, and they perished from the midst of the assembly."  On top of that the Lord sent forth fire and consumed the 250 men who had tried to present incense to the Lord. 

Instead of repenting and seeking the Lord, the congregation continued to grumble! The Lord appeared once more in the cloud that covered the tent of meeting.. and sent a plague upon the people. 14,700 more people died in this plague, which was stopped when Aaron took his censor and brought fire from the altar to make atonement for them,  

Rebellion, jealousy, arrogance..those thinking they were better.. holier.. more worthy.. were the ones who  experienced plague.. fire.. and the ground splitting open and consuming the evil doers. The Lord took action against those who came against His chosen leader.. Moses and His chosen priest. Aaron. 

The Lord draws near to Himself those who are His.. He sees those who are holy.. and He sees those who just think they are worthy..  The Lord had called the tribe of Levi into service to Himself... but they were not content and not grateful.  They wanted more.. they wanted power.. they wanted recognition. They failed to take into account the sovereignty of God. They failed to submit to the authority that they were called to obey.  They brought destruction upon themselves and all of their family and all they had. 

The Lord had Aaron take up the bronze censers that were burned up with the 250 leaders.. and he made a "plating before the altar.. "   it was to remind the laymen to not come near to burn incense as Korah did. That job was meant for the true priests.. the sons of Aaron. 

Father, let us learn from Your Word what You would say to us today.  You have called men and women to serve You.. according to Your purpose and plan for each of us. We are grateful for the place You have made for us.. and we pray that we will serve You well and humbly.  We want to be content and not allow jealousy or arrogance or selfishness to have place in our hearts.  Oh may we have pure hearts and clean hands, Lord God!  Let Your will be done, Father. We surrender all to You.. Be glorified in our lives we pray. Amen.