Chapter 16

Mutiny in the Ranks

1. INTRODUCTION OF THE CHAPTER
1. Division of the Chapter
1. The challenge of the rebels (Numbers 16:1-3 [1] Now Korah, the son of Izhar, the son of Kohath, the son of Levi, and Dathan and Abiram, the sons of Eliab, and On, the son of Peleth, sons of Reuben, took men: [2] And they rose up before Moses, with certain of the children of Israel, two hundred and fifty princes of the assembly, famous in the congregation, men of renown: [3] And they gathered themselves together against Moses and against Aaron, and said unto them, Ye take too much upon you, seeing all the congregation are holy, every one of them, and the LORD is among them: wherefore then lift ye up yourselves above the congregation of the LORD?
   See All...)
2. The response of the man of God (Numbers 16:4-11 [4] And when Moses heard it, he fell upon his face: [5] And he spake unto Korah and unto all his company, saying, Even to morrow the LORD will shew who are his, and who is holy; and will cause him to come near unto him: even him whom he hath chosen will he cause to come near unto him. [6] This do; Take you censers, Korah, and all his company; [7] And put fire therein, and put incense in them before the LORD to morrow: and it shall be that the man whom the LORD doth choose, he shall be holy: ye take too much upon you, ye sons of Levi. [8] And Moses said unto Korah, Hear, I pray you, ye sons of Levi: [9] Seemeth it but a small thing unto you, that the God of Israel hath separated you from the congregation of Israel, to bring you near to himself to do the service of the tabernacle of the LORD, and to stand before the congregation to minister unto them? [10] And he hath brought thee near to him, and all thy brethren the sons of Levi with thee: and seek ye the priesthood also? [11] For which cause both thou and all thy company are gathered together against the LORD: and what is Aaron, that ye murmur against him?
   See All...)
3. The battle with the rebels (Numbers 16:12-22 [12] And Moses sent to call Dathan and Abiram, the sons of Eliab: which said, We will not come up: [13] Is it a small thing that thou hast brought us up out of a land that floweth with milk and honey, to kill us in the wilderness, except thou make thyself altogether a prince over us? [14] Moreover thou hast not brought us into a land that floweth with milk and honey, or given us inheritance of fields and vineyards: wilt thou put out the eyes of these men? we will not come up. [15] And Moses was very wroth, and said unto the LORD, Respect not thou their offering: I have not taken one ass from them, neither have I hurt one of them. [16] And Moses said unto Korah, Be thou and all thy company before the LORD, thou, and they, and Aaron, to morrow: [17] And take every man his censer, and put incense in them, and bring ye before the LORD every man his censer, two hundred and fifty censers; thou also, and Aaron, each of you his censer. [18] And they took every man his censer, and put fire in them, and laid incense thereon, and stood in the door of the tabernacle of the congregation with Moses and Aaron. [19] And Korah gathered all the congregation against them unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation: and the glory of the LORD appeared unto all the congregation. [20] And the LORD spake unto Moses and unto Aaron, saying, [21] Separate yourselves from among this congregation, that I may consume them in a moment. [22] And they fell upon their faces, and said, O God, the God of the spirits of all flesh, shall one man sin, and wilt thou be wroth with all the congregation?
   See All...)
4. Separate from the rebels (Numbers 16:23-27 [23] And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, [24] Speak unto the congregation, saying, Get you up from about the tabernacle of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram. [25] And Moses rose up and went unto Dathan and Abiram; and the elders of Israel followed him. [26] And he spake unto the congregation, saying, Depart, I pray you, from the tents of these wicked men, and touch nothing of their's, lest ye be consumed in all their sins. [27] So they gat up from the tabernacle of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram, on every side: and Dathan and Abiram came out, and stood in the door of their tents, and their wives, and their sons, and their little children.
   See All...).
5. The judgment of the Lord upon the rebels (Numbers 16:28-40 [28] And Moses said, Hereby ye shall know that the LORD hath sent me to do all these works; for I have not done them of mine own mind. [29] If these men die the common death of all men, or if they be visited after the visitation of all men; then the LORD hath not sent me. [30] But if the LORD make a new thing, and the earth open her mouth, and swallow them up, with all that appertain unto them, and they go down quick into the pit; then ye shall understand that these men have provoked the LORD. [31] And it came to pass, as he had made an end of speaking all these words, that the ground clave asunder that was under them: [32] And the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed them up, and their houses, and all the men that appertained unto Korah, and all their goods. [33] They, and all that appertained to them, went down alive into the pit, and the earth closed upon them: and they perished from among the congregation. [34] And all Israel that were round about them fled at the cry of them: for they said, Lest the earth swallow us up also. [35] And there came out a fire from the LORD, and consumed the two hundred and fifty men that offered incense. [36] And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, [37] Speak unto Eleazar the son of Aaron the priest, that he take up the censers out of the burning, and scatter thou the fire yonder; for they are hallowed. [38] The censers of these sinners against their own souls, let them make them broad plates for a covering of the altar: for they offered them before the LORD, therefore they are hallowed: and they shall be a sign unto the children of Israel. [39] And Eleazar the priest took the brasen censers, wherewith they that were burnt had offered; and they were made broad plates for a covering of the altar: [40] To be a memorial unto the children of Israel, that no stranger, which is not of the seed of Aaron, come near to offer incense before the LORD; that he be not as Korah, and as his company: as the LORD said to him by the hand of Moses.
   See All...)
6. The congregation follows the rebels (Numbers 16:41-50 [41] But on the morrow all the congregation of the children of Israel murmured against Moses and against Aaron, saying, Ye have killed the people of the LORD. [42] And it came to pass, when the congregation was gathered against Moses and against Aaron, that they looked toward the tabernacle of the congregation: and, behold, the cloud covered it, and the glory of the LORD appeared. [43] And Moses and Aaron came before the tabernacle of the congregation. [44] And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, [45] Get you up from among this congregation, that I may consume them as in a moment. And they fell upon their faces. [46] And Moses said unto Aaron, Take a censer, and put fire therein from off the altar, and put on incense, and go quickly unto the congregation, and make an atonement for them: for there is wrath gone out from the LORD; the plague is begun. [47] And Aaron took as Moses commanded, and ran into the midst of the congregation; and, behold, the plague was begun among the people: and he put on incense, and made an atonement for the people. [48] And he stood between the dead and the living; and the plague was stayed. [49] Now they that died in the plague were fourteen thousand and seven hundred, beside them that died about the matter of Korah. [50] And Aaron returned unto Moses unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation: and the plague was stayed.
   See All...).
2. Other Accounts of Numbers 16
1. Psalm 106:16-17 [16] They envied Moses also in the camp, and Aaron the saint of the LORD. [17] The earth opened and swallowed up Dathan and covered the company of Abiram.
   See All...
2. Numbers 26:9-11 [9] And the sons of Eliab; Nemuel, and Dathan, and Abiram. This is that Dathan and Abiram, which were famous in the congregation, who strove against Moses and against Aaron in the company of Korah, when they strove against the LORD: [10] And the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed them up together with Korah, when that company died, what time the fire devoured two hundred and fifty men: and they became a sign. [11] Notwithstanding the children of Korah died not.
   See All...
3. Deuteronomy 11:1-7 [1] Therefore thou shalt love the LORD thy God, and keep his charge, and his statutes, and his judgments, and his commandments, alway. [2] And know ye this day: for I speak not with your children which have not known, and which have not seen the chastisement of the LORD your God, his greatness, his mighty hand, and his stretched out arm, [3] And his miracles, and his acts, which he did in the midst of Egypt unto Pharaoh the king of Egypt, and unto all his land; [4] And what he did unto the army of Egypt, unto their horses, and to their chariots; how he made the water of the Red sea to overflow them as they pursued after you, and how the LORD hath destroyed them unto this day; [5] And what he did unto you in the wilderness, until ye came into this place; [6] And what he did unto Dathan and Abiram, the sons of Eliab, the son of Reuben: how the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed them up, and their households, and their tents, and all the substance that was in their possession, in the midst of all Israel: [7] But your eyes have seen all the great acts of the LORD which he did.
   See All...
2. THE CHALLENGE OF THE REBELS (Numbers 16:1-3 [1] Now Korah, the son of Izhar, the son of Kohath, the son of Levi, and Dathan and Abiram, the sons of Eliab, and On, the son of Peleth, sons of Reuben, took men: [2] And they rose up before Moses, with certain of the children of Israel, two hundred and fifty princes of the assembly, famous in the congregation, men of renown: [3] And they gathered themselves together against Moses and against Aaron, and said unto them, Ye take too much upon you, seeing all the congregation are holy, every one of them, and the LORD is among them: wherefore then lift ye up yourselves above the congregation of the LORD?
   See All...)
1. The Identity of the Rebels (Numbers 16:1Now Korah, the son of Izhar, the son of Kohath, the son of Levi, and Dathan and Abiram, the sons of Eliab, and On, the son of Peleth, sons of Reuben, took men:
   See All...)
1. Korah
1. Of the tribe of Levi
2. A Kohathite
3. As a Kohathite he had great privileges.
1. He camped on the south side of the tabernacle (Numbers 3:29The families of the sons of Kohath shall pitch on the side of the tabernacle southward.
   See All...).
2. He got to bear the most holy things as the Kohathites carried the instruments that reconciled the people with God (Numbers 4:15And when Aaron and his sons have made an end of covering the sanctuary, and all the vessels of the sanctuary, as the camp is to set forward; after that, the sons of Kohath shall come to bear it: but they shall not touch any holy thing, lest they die. These things are the burden of the sons of Kohath in the tabernacle of the congregation.
   See All...).
1. The ark of the testimony
2. The table of shewbread
3. The candlestick of the light
4. The golden altar
3. Later in the Book of Joshua, it was the Kohathites who stepped into the Jordan River and saw the water part so that the Israelites could pass over on dry ground (Joshua 3:8-17 [8] And thou shalt command the priests that bear the ark of the covenant, saying, When ye are come to the brink of the water of Jordan, ye shall stand still in Jordan. [9] And Joshua said unto the children of Israel, Come hither, and hear the words of the LORD your God. [10] And Joshua said, Hereby ye shall know that the living God is among you, and that he will without fail drive out from before you the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Hivites, and the Perizzites, and the Girgashites, and the Amorites, and the Jebusites. [11] Behold, the ark of the covenant of the LORD of all the earth passeth over before you into Jordan. [12] Now therefore take you twelve men out of the tribes of Israel, out of every tribe a man. [13] And it shall come to pass, as soon as the soles of the feet of the priests that bear the ark of the LORD, the LORD of all the earth, shall rest in the waters of Jordan, that the waters of Jordan shall be cut off from the waters that come down from above; and they shall stand upon an heap. [14] And it came to pass, when the people removed from their tents, to pass over Jordan, and the priests bearing the ark of the covenant before the people; [15] And as they that bare the ark were come unto Jordan, and the feet of the priests that bare the ark were dipped in the brim of the water, (for Jordan overfloweth all his banks all the time of harvest,) [16] That the waters which came down from above stood and rose up upon an heap very far from the city Adam, that is beside Zaretan: and those that came down toward the sea of the plain, even the salt sea, failed, and were cut off: and the people passed over right against Jericho. [17] And the priests that bare the ark of the covenant of the LORD stood firm on dry ground in the midst of Jordan, and all the Israelites passed over on dry ground, until all the people were passed clean over Jordan.
   See All...), and whose feet left the Jordan and saw it return again to its overflow state (Joshua 4:18And it came to pass, when the priests that bare the ark of the covenant of the LORD were come up out of the midst of Jordan, and the soles of the priests' feet were lifted up unto the dry land, that the waters of Jordan returned unto their place, and flowed over all his banks, as they did before.
   See All...).
4. Listed as one of the three men who portray a trait of false teachers (Jude 1:11Woe unto them! for they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward, and perished in the gainsaying of Core.
   See All...)
1. The way of Cain
2. The error of Balaam
3. The gainsaying of Core (Korah)
2. Dathan and Abiram
1. Of the tribe of Reuben
2. The tribe of the firstborn who lost his birthright because of sin (1 Chronicles 5:1-2 [1] Now the sons of Reuben the firstborn of Israel, (for he was the firstborn; but forasmuch as he defiled his father's bed, his birthright was given unto the sons of Joseph the son of Israel: and the genealogy is not to be reckoned after the birthright. [2] For Judah prevailed above his brethren, and of him came the chief ruler; but the birthright was Joseph's:)
   See All...)
3. Brothers
3. On
1. Of the tribe of Reuben
2. Son of Peleth
3. Seems to have backed out of the rebellion (Numbers 16:24-25 [24] Speak unto the congregation, saying, Get you up from about the tabernacle of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram. [25] And Moses rose up and went unto Dathan and Abiram; and the elders of Israel followed him.
   See All...)
4. Other Men
1. Notice the phrase “took men.”
2. It is almost as though these men were taken captive.
2. The Followers of the Rebels (Numbers 16:2And they rose up before Moses, with certain of the children of Israel, two hundred and fifty princes of the assembly, famous in the congregation, men of renown:
   See All...)
1. 250 princes of the assembly
2. Famous in the congregation
3. Men of renown (Genesis 6:4There were giants in the earth in those days; and also after that, when the sons of God came in unto the daughters of men, and they bare children to them, the same became mighty men which were of old, men of renown.
   See All...)
3. The Complaint of the Rebels (Numbers 16:3And they gathered themselves together against Moses and against Aaron, and said unto them, Ye take too much upon you, seeing all the congregation are holy, every one of them, and the LORD is among them: wherefore then lift ye up yourselves above the congregation of the LORD?
   See All...)
1. Ye take too much upon you.
1. This was similar to the complaint of Miriam and Aaron (Numbers 12:2And they said, Hath the LORD indeed spoken only by Moses? hath he not spoken also by us? And the LORD heard it.
   See All...).
2. This was the choice of the Israelites (Exodus 20:18-21 [18] And all the people saw the thunderings, and the lightnings, and the noise of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking: and when the people saw it, they removed, and stood afar off. [19] And they said unto Moses, Speak thou with us, and we will hear: but let not God speak with us, lest we die. [20] And Moses said unto the people, Fear not: for God is come to prove you, and that his fear may be before your faces, that ye sin not. [21] And the people stood afar off, and Moses drew near unto the thick darkness where God was.
   See All...).
3. “In point of fact, the matter is as simple as possible.  Has God given a man his place to fill – his work to do?  Who will question this?  Well, then, let each know his place and fill it – know his work and do it…Korah had his work; Moses had his.  Why should one envy another?  It would be quite as reasonable to charge the sun, moon, and stars with taking too much upon them when they shine in their appointed spheres, as to charge any gifted servant of Christ therewith when he seeks to discharge the responsibility which his gift most surely imposes upon him.”  From Notes on Numbers by C.H. Mackintosh (page 297)
2. All the congregation is holy (Exodus 19:3-6 [3] And Moses went up unto God, and the LORD called unto him out of the mountain, saying, Thus shalt thou say to the house of Jacob, and tell the children of Israel; [4] Ye have seen what I did unto the Egyptians, and how I bare you on eagles' wings, and brought you unto myself. [5] Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine: [6] And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel.
   See All...).
3. The Lord is among every one of them.
4. Why do ye lift yourselves up above them?
3. THE RESPONSE OF THE MAN OF GOD (Numbers 16:4-11 [4] And when Moses heard it, he fell upon his face: [5] And he spake unto Korah and unto all his company, saying, Even to morrow the LORD will shew who are his, and who is holy; and will cause him to come near unto him: even him whom he hath chosen will he cause to come near unto him. [6] This do; Take you censers, Korah, and all his company; [7] And put fire therein, and put incense in them before the LORD to morrow: and it shall be that the man whom the LORD doth choose, he shall be holy: ye take too much upon you, ye sons of Levi. [8] And Moses said unto Korah, Hear, I pray you, ye sons of Levi: [9] Seemeth it but a small thing unto you, that the God of Israel hath separated you from the congregation of Israel, to bring you near to himself to do the service of the tabernacle of the LORD, and to stand before the congregation to minister unto them? [10] And he hath brought thee near to him, and all thy brethren the sons of Levi with thee: and seek ye the priesthood also? [11] For which cause both thou and all thy company are gathered together against the LORD: and what is Aaron, that ye murmur against him?
   See All...)
1. Moses’ Humility (Numbers 16:4And when Moses heard it, he fell upon his face:
   See All...)
2. Moses’ Confidence (Numbers 16:5And he spake unto Korah and unto all his company, saying, Even to morrow the LORD will shew who are his, and who is holy; and will cause him to come near unto him: even him whom he hath chosen will he cause to come near unto him.
   See All...)
1. Tomorrow the Lord will show who are His.
2. The Lord will cause him to come near.
3. Even him whom He hath chosen (2 Timothy 2:19Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.
   See All...)
3. Moses’ Challenge (Numbers 16:6-7 [6] This do; Take you censers, Korah, and all his company; [7] And put fire therein, and put incense in them before the LORD to morrow: and it shall be that the man whom the LORD doth choose, he shall be holy: ye take too much upon you, ye sons of Levi.
   See All...)
1. Take censers.
1. Put fire therein.
2. Put incense in them.
2. The man that the Lord chooses shall be holy.
3. Ye take too much upon you (compare with Numbers 16:3And they gathered themselves together against Moses and against Aaron, and said unto them, Ye take too much upon you, seeing all the congregation are holy, every one of them, and the LORD is among them: wherefore then lift ye up yourselves above the congregation of the LORD?
   See All...).
4. Moses’ Questions (Numbers 16:8-11 [8] And Moses said unto Korah, Hear, I pray you, ye sons of Levi: [9] Seemeth it but a small thing unto you, that the God of Israel hath separated you from the congregation of Israel, to bring you near to himself to do the service of the tabernacle of the LORD, and to stand before the congregation to minister unto them? [10] And he hath brought thee near to him, and all thy brethren the sons of Levi with thee: and seek ye the priesthood also? [11] For which cause both thou and all thy company are gathered together against the LORD: and what is Aaron, that ye murmur against him?
   See All...)
1. Seemeth it small to you (Numbers 16:9Seemeth it but a small thing unto you, that the God of Israel hath separated you from the congregation of Israel, to bring you near to himself to do the service of the tabernacle of the LORD, and to stand before the congregation to minister unto them?
   See All...)?
1. The God of Israel separated you from the congregation.
2. To bring you near to Himself
3. To do the service of the tabernacle of the Lord
4. To stand before the congregation to minister unto them
2. Seek ye the priesthood also (Numbers 16:10And he hath brought thee near to him, and all thy brethren the sons of Levi with thee: and seek ye the priesthood also?
   See All...)?
3. What is Aaron that ye murmur against him (Numbers 16:11For which cause both thou and all thy company are gathered together against the LORD: and what is Aaron, that ye murmur against him?
   See All...)?
4. THE BATTLE WITH THE REBELS (Numbers 16:12-22 [12] And Moses sent to call Dathan and Abiram, the sons of Eliab: which said, We will not come up: [13] Is it a small thing that thou hast brought us up out of a land that floweth with milk and honey, to kill us in the wilderness, except thou make thyself altogether a prince over us? [14] Moreover thou hast not brought us into a land that floweth with milk and honey, or given us inheritance of fields and vineyards: wilt thou put out the eyes of these men? we will not come up. [15] And Moses was very wroth, and said unto the LORD, Respect not thou their offering: I have not taken one ass from them, neither have I hurt one of them. [16] And Moses said unto Korah, Be thou and all thy company before the LORD, thou, and they, and Aaron, to morrow: [17] And take every man his censer, and put incense in them, and bring ye before the LORD every man his censer, two hundred and fifty censers; thou also, and Aaron, each of you his censer. [18] And they took every man his censer, and put fire in them, and laid incense thereon, and stood in the door of the tabernacle of the congregation with Moses and Aaron. [19] And Korah gathered all the congregation against them unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation: and the glory of the LORD appeared unto all the congregation. [20] And the LORD spake unto Moses and unto Aaron, saying, [21] Separate yourselves from among this congregation, that I may consume them in a moment. [22] And they fell upon their faces, and said, O God, the God of the spirits of all flesh, shall one man sin, and wilt thou be wroth with all the congregation?
   See All...)
1. The Calling of Dathan and Abiram (Numbers 16:12-14 [12] And Moses sent to call Dathan and Abiram, the sons of Eliab: which said, We will not come up: [13] Is it a small thing that thou hast brought us up out of a land that floweth with milk and honey, to kill us in the wilderness, except thou make thyself altogether a prince over us? [14] Moreover thou hast not brought us into a land that floweth with milk and honey, or given us inheritance of fields and vineyards: wilt thou put out the eyes of these men? we will not come up.
   See All...)
1. Moses calls For Dathan and Abiram to come (Numbers 16:12And Moses sent to call Dathan and Abiram, the sons of Eliab: which said, We will not come up:
   See All...).
2. The response of Dathan and Abiram (Numbers 16:13-14 [13] Is it a small thing that thou hast brought us up out of a land that floweth with milk and honey, to kill us in the wilderness, except thou make thyself altogether a prince over us? [14] Moreover thou hast not brought us into a land that floweth with milk and honey, or given us inheritance of fields and vineyards: wilt thou put out the eyes of these men? we will not come up.
   See All...)
1. We will not come up.
2. You brought us out here to kill us.
3. You said you were bringing us to a land that flows with milk and honey, but you haven’t done that.
4. You have made yourself a prince over us.
2. Moses’ Petition to the Lord (Numbers 16:15And Moses was very wroth, and said unto the LORD, Respect not thou their offering: I have not taken one ass from them, neither have I hurt one of them.
   See All...)
1. Moses was wroth.
2. Moses requests a rejection of their sacrifices.
1. I have not taken one ass from them.
2. I have not hurt one of them.
3. The Presentation before the Lord (Numbers 16:16-19 [16] And Moses said unto Korah, Be thou and all thy company before the LORD, thou, and they, and Aaron, to morrow: [17] And take every man his censer, and put incense in them, and bring ye before the LORD every man his censer, two hundred and fifty censers; thou also, and Aaron, each of you his censer. [18] And they took every man his censer, and put fire in them, and laid incense thereon, and stood in the door of the tabernacle of the congregation with Moses and Aaron. [19] And Korah gathered all the congregation against them unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation: and the glory of the LORD appeared unto all the congregation.
   See All...)
1. Korah and his company and Aaron to appear before the Lord (Numbers 16:16And Moses said unto Korah, Be thou and all thy company before the LORD, thou, and they, and Aaron, to morrow:
   See All...)
2. Every man to bring his censer (Numbers 16:17-18 [17] And take every man his censer, and put incense in them, and bring ye before the LORD every man his censer, two hundred and fifty censers; thou also, and Aaron, each of you his censer. [18] And they took every man his censer, and put fire in them, and laid incense thereon, and stood in the door of the tabernacle of the congregation with Moses and Aaron.
   See All...)
1. With incense
2. With fire
3. The glory of the Lord appeared (Numbers 16:19And Korah gathered all the congregation against them unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation: and the glory of the LORD appeared unto all the congregation.
   See All...).
4. Danger for the Congregation (Numbers 16:20-22 [20] And the LORD spake unto Moses and unto Aaron, saying, [21] Separate yourselves from among this congregation, that I may consume them in a moment. [22] And they fell upon their faces, and said, O God, the God of the spirits of all flesh, shall one man sin, and wilt thou be wroth with all the congregation?
   See All...)
1. The judgment of God (Numbers 16:20-21 [20] And the LORD spake unto Moses and unto Aaron, saying, [21] Separate yourselves from among this congregation, that I may consume them in a moment.
   See All...)
1. Separate from the congregation.
2. That I may consume them in a moment
2. The pleading of Moses and Aaron  (Numbers 16:22And they fell upon their faces, and said, O God, the God of the spirits of all flesh, shall one man sin, and wilt thou be wroth with all the congregation?
   See All...)
1. Their praise of God – the God of the spirits of all flesh
2. Their case – shall one man sin and You be angry with the whole congregation?
5. SEPARATE FROM THE REBELS (Numbers 16:23-27 [23] And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, [24] Speak unto the congregation, saying, Get you up from about the tabernacle of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram. [25] And Moses rose up and went unto Dathan and Abiram; and the elders of Israel followed him. [26] And he spake unto the congregation, saying, Depart, I pray you, from the tents of these wicked men, and touch nothing of their's, lest ye be consumed in all their sins. [27] So they gat up from the tabernacle of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram, on every side: and Dathan and Abiram came out, and stood in the door of their tents, and their wives, and their sons, and their little children.
   See All...)
1. An Escape for the Congregation (Numbers 16:24Speak unto the congregation, saying, Get you up from about the tabernacle of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram.
   See All..., 26)
1. Depart from the tents of these wicked men.
2. Touch nothing of theirs.
3. Lest ye be consumed in their sins
2. The Obedience of the Congregation (Numbers 16:27So they gat up from the tabernacle of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram, on every side: and Dathan and Abiram came out, and stood in the door of their tents, and their wives, and their sons, and their little children.
   See All...)
1. The people got up from the tents of Korah, Dathan and Abiram.
2. Dathan and Abiram come out with their families.
6. THE JUDGMENT OF THE LORD UPON THE REBELS (Numbers 16:28-40 [28] And Moses said, Hereby ye shall know that the LORD hath sent me to do all these works; for I have not done them of mine own mind. [29] If these men die the common death of all men, or if they be visited after the visitation of all men; then the LORD hath not sent me. [30] But if the LORD make a new thing, and the earth open her mouth, and swallow them up, with all that appertain unto them, and they go down quick into the pit; then ye shall understand that these men have provoked the LORD. [31] And it came to pass, as he had made an end of speaking all these words, that the ground clave asunder that was under them: [32] And the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed them up, and their houses, and all the men that appertained unto Korah, and all their goods. [33] They, and all that appertained to them, went down alive into the pit, and the earth closed upon them: and they perished from among the congregation. [34] And all Israel that were round about them fled at the cry of them: for they said, Lest the earth swallow us up also. [35] And there came out a fire from the LORD, and consumed the two hundred and fifty men that offered incense. [36] And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, [37] Speak unto Eleazar the son of Aaron the priest, that he take up the censers out of the burning, and scatter thou the fire yonder; for they are hallowed. [38] The censers of these sinners against their own souls, let them make them broad plates for a covering of the altar: for they offered them before the LORD, therefore they are hallowed: and they shall be a sign unto the children of Israel. [39] And Eleazar the priest took the brasen censers, wherewith they that were burnt had offered; and they were made broad plates for a covering of the altar: [40] To be a memorial unto the children of Israel, that no stranger, which is not of the seed of Aaron, come near to offer incense before the LORD; that he be not as Korah, and as his company: as the LORD said to him by the hand of Moses.
   See All...)
1. Moses Declares a Coming Judgment (Numbers 16:28-30 [28] And Moses said, Hereby ye shall know that the LORD hath sent me to do all these works; for I have not done them of mine own mind. [29] If these men die the common death of all men, or if they be visited after the visitation of all men; then the LORD hath not sent me. [30] But if the LORD make a new thing, and the earth open her mouth, and swallow them up, with all that appertain unto them, and they go down quick into the pit; then ye shall understand that these men have provoked the LORD.
   See All...).
1. Moses testifies of God’s calling (Numbers 16:28And Moses said, Hereby ye shall know that the LORD hath sent me to do all these works; for I have not done them of mine own mind.
   See All...).
1. The Lord sent me to do these works.
2. I have not done them of “mine own mind.”
2. Moses prophesies a unique death for the rebels (Numbers 16:29-30 [29] If these men die the common death of all men, or if they be visited after the visitation of all men; then the LORD hath not sent me. [30] But if the LORD make a new thing, and the earth open her mouth, and swallow them up, with all that appertain unto them, and they go down quick into the pit; then ye shall understand that these men have provoked the LORD.
   See All...).
1. If they die as men normally die, Moses is not sent by God.
2. If God makes a new thing happen, then Moses is sent.
2. God Judges the Rebels (Numbers 16:31-35 [31] And it came to pass, as he had made an end of speaking all these words, that the ground clave asunder that was under them: [32] And the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed them up, and their houses, and all the men that appertained unto Korah, and all their goods. [33] They, and all that appertained to them, went down alive into the pit, and the earth closed upon them: and they perished from among the congregation. [34] And all Israel that were round about them fled at the cry of them: for they said, Lest the earth swallow us up also. [35] And there came out a fire from the LORD, and consumed the two hundred and fifty men that offered incense.
   See All...).
1. The leaders swallowed by the earth (Numbers 16:31-33 [31] And it came to pass, as he had made an end of speaking all these words, that the ground clave asunder that was under them: [32] And the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed them up, and their houses, and all the men that appertained unto Korah, and all their goods. [33] They, and all that appertained to them, went down alive into the pit, and the earth closed upon them: and they perished from among the congregation.
   See All...)
1. The ground clave asunder.
2. The earth opened her mouth and swallowed them up.
1. Their houses
2. Their men
3. Their goods
3. They went down alive into the pit.
4. The earth closed upon them.
5. Korah’s children were apparently not in this number (Numbers 26:9-11 [9] And the sons of Eliab; Nemuel, and Dathan, and Abiram. This is that Dathan and Abiram, which were famous in the congregation, who strove against Moses and against Aaron in the company of Korah, when they strove against the LORD: [10] And the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed them up together with Korah, when that company died, what time the fire devoured two hundred and fifty men: and they became a sign. [11] Notwithstanding the children of Korah died not.
   See All...; Psalm 88).
2. The fear of the Israelites (Numbers 16:34And all Israel that were round about them fled at the cry of them: for they said, Lest the earth swallow us up also.
   See All...)
1. They fled because of the cry of those who went into the pit.
2. Lest they also be swallowed up
3. The 250 consumed by fire (Numbers 16:35And there came out a fire from the LORD, and consumed the two hundred and fifty men that offered incense.
   See All...)
1. A fire came out from the Lord.
2. Consuming the 250 who offered incense
3. The Censers Are Preserved (Numbers 16:36-40 [36] And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, [37] Speak unto Eleazar the son of Aaron the priest, that he take up the censers out of the burning, and scatter thou the fire yonder; for they are hallowed. [38] The censers of these sinners against their own souls, let them make them broad plates for a covering of the altar: for they offered them before the LORD, therefore they are hallowed: and they shall be a sign unto the children of Israel. [39] And Eleazar the priest took the brasen censers, wherewith they that were burnt had offered; and they were made broad plates for a covering of the altar: [40] To be a memorial unto the children of Israel, that no stranger, which is not of the seed of Aaron, come near to offer incense before the LORD; that he be not as Korah, and as his company: as the LORD said to him by the hand of Moses.
   See All...).
1. Eleazar is commanded to gather the censers (Numbers 16:36-38 [36] And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, [37] Speak unto Eleazar the son of Aaron the priest, that he take up the censers out of the burning, and scatter thou the fire yonder; for they are hallowed. [38] The censers of these sinners against their own souls, let them make them broad plates for a covering of the altar: for they offered them before the LORD, therefore they are hallowed: and they shall be a sign unto the children of Israel.
   See All...).
2. They are to make a plate to cover the altar (Numbers 16:39-40 [39] And Eleazar the priest took the brasen censers, wherewith they that were burnt had offered; and they were made broad plates for a covering of the altar: [40] To be a memorial unto the children of Israel, that no stranger, which is not of the seed of Aaron, come near to offer incense before the LORD; that he be not as Korah, and as his company: as the LORD said to him by the hand of Moses.
   See All...).