The Pulpit Commentary — Numbers — Section 236

II. MosEs' INDIGNANT PllOTEBT. He does not address the slanderers, for where would have been the use? He·me.kes e. direct appeal to God: "Respect not their -offering,'' Probably they were going to set up some sort of altar in their own tents, since they refused to come to the te.bemacle ; only to find out, e.s Cain did before, and many he.ve done since, that will-worship (Col. ii. 23) has no acceptance with God. Even if their offering had been me.de by the strictest ceremonial rules, what would have been its cha.nee of acceptance with him to whom lying lips are an abomination? "Lord, who she.II a.bide in thy tabernacle?" (Ps. xv.). There is e. claim here not only for the vindication of Aaron as the appointed priest, but of Moses also as the appointed leader, the faithful messenger, the pure channel of the pure command- ments and promises of God. The me.n who would teach the people righteousness must be clear of the faintest suspicion that robbery or oppression clings to his O"-n garments. He must be fe.r different from those rulers of after days whom Isaiah denounces (Isa. i 10-15, 23). "Moses got more in his estate when he kept J ethro's flock the.n since he ea.me to be king in Jeshurun."-Y. Vere. 16-35.-The destruction of Korah and his company. I. THE APPLICATION OF THE TEST. 1. Moses and Aaron put themsdves on a perfect outward equality with the rest. They humbled themselves that they might be exalted. Aaron, already chosen of the Lord, stands with his censer and incense in the midst of the company of rebels, as if he were but a candidate waiting for approve.I. Such is not the way of the dignitaries of the world. Their pomp e.nd honour is mostly e. mere conven- tion; strip them of their titles e.nd gauds, and you would scarcely notice them in the street. But Aaron was the priest of God wherever he went, and howsoever he was surrounded. 'l'herefore, without fee.r or shame, he could take the lowest place, sure the.t he would presently be addressed, " Come up hither." So Jesus was numbered with the transgressors, reduced to the level 0£ criminals, crucified instead of Barabbas. Christians he.ve often he.d to stand among the ranks of evil-doers, but in due time they he.ve gone out from them, because they were not of them (1 Pet. ii. 19-23). 2. Korah shows unquailing audacity_ to the last, i. e. up to the appearing of the glory. The more the servants of God humbled themselves, the higher e.nd more confident were his enemies in their pride. Korah we.a at his very highest before he fell. Aaron, whom he he.d so often seen going where he was forbidden, stands now on e. level with the ordinary Levite ; ne.y, more, he is e.s low as the other tribes. The con- gregation too he.a gathered round Kore.h in sympathy e.nd expectation, for doubtless he has promised them such things as they love. And even e.s God he.d allowed rebellious Israel to go on even to the lifting of stones against Caleb and Joshua (eh. xiv. 10), so here he allows the pride of Korab to swell to its fullest extent. And hence God's people should ever go.in confidence in the times when he seems to be inactive. We are not to be discouraged because the wicked go on from strength to strength. The Jews rejected Christ ; they consulted to slay him ; they seized him ; they put him through an examination in their own court ; they handed him to Pilate ; he was mocked, scourged, crucified ; yet God did not intervene. And who now does not see that all this time he was in process of answering the prayer, "Glorify thy Son, that thy Son also me.y glorify thee " ? (John xvii. 1 ). Kore.h, rising, was lifting Moses and Aaron with him. He fell; they remained. 3. The first expression of Divine wrath. A general destruction is threatened, without mitigation or delay. And if we only con!ider, we shall see how fitting it was the.t the first word should be a menace of complete e.nd terrible destruction. The holiness of God is a great reality, keenly sensitive to e.ny sin. How much then was it outraged by such a daring attempt as that of Kore.h and his company I And the whole congregation had shown a sad al~critr in t~eir support. \Vhy, even we ourselves, when we hear of some great cnme m which many a.re engaged, do not stop to me.ke distinctions between princi- pals and e.ccomplices. We feel that our first word must be one of utter e.bhorrenco and condemnation with respect to all who he.d pa.rt in such great wickedness. It is mly because we a.re so little sensitive to the evil of sin, the.t we find difficulty in understanding the menace of ver. 21. 4. Moses and Aaron promptly intercede. God has e.lree.dy shown what e. distance separates them from the rest of the people. Now they proceed to show it theID.flelves. It was tho hour of exaltation and trilllilph  !18 THE BOOK OF NUMBERS. [en. xn. 1-40.