Rebellion in the Wilderness

A word search from the lesson.

Central Truth: Be respectful of the ministry in which you are called.

Scriptures: Numbers 16:1-40

Some time after the twelve spies gave their report back to Moses, a rebellion was incited within the camp. Korah, a Levite, and Dathan, Abiram, and On from the tribe of Reuben gathered 250 princes of Israel and accused Moses and Aaron of exalting themselves above the assembly. It was not enough for Korah to be appointed to the service of the Tabernacle, they wanted the power over the congregation. They also accused Moses and Aaron of failing to bring them into the Promised Land.

Moses told the leaders of the rebellion to meet at the tent of the Tabernacle to see who God chooses to be the leader. They met them at the Tabernacle except for Dathan and Abiram and their families who refused to come. Instead, they remained in their own tents. When God appeared to the children of Israel, Moses warned them to remove themselves from the rebels. The earth opened and swallowed Korah, Dathan, and Abiram along with their households and their goods. Then fire came down and devoted the 250 princes who had offered incense to God. The sons of Korah did not die. All of the censors that belonged to the 250 princes were hammered into plates and used as a covering for the altar and was a reminder that no one but the descendants of Aaron can offer incense to the Lord.