Numbers 16 to Numbers 17

Numbers 16

These four “took action”

• ·         Korah (descendant of Levi)
• ·         Dathan
• ·         Abiram
• ·         On

They gathered 250 leaders – men of renown rose up against Moses and Aaron. “you have gone far enough, for all the congregation are holy every one of them…….” (v3) (NOTE: WOW what pride!!)

Moses fell on his face.

(NOTE the intensity of this chapter)

Once again God wants to wipe everyone out.

Moses tells the 250 men to get their censers and to light incense. He separates everyone from them and their families – lest they be consumed as well.

The earth opens up and swallow all of the families and possessions of these people. They go to Sheol ALIVE.

The rest of the people grumble at Moses and Aaron saying they caused it. Moses and Aaron start scrambling to save their lives.

God kills an additional 14,700 before Moses and Aaron were able to get the plague in check.

The censers of the 250 were hammered down and placed at the altar as a reminder.

Numbers 17

God instructed Moses to get 12 rods and to write the names of the 12 tribes on the rods.

Aaron’s name was to be written on the rod of Levi.

The rods were to be put in the tent of meeting. Whoever’s rod sprouted was to be the chosen one.

Aaron’s (Levi’s) rod sprouted, blossomed, and had ripe almonds. Aaron was chosen by God and God provided this sign to the people – so they would stop quarreling.