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and they determined to divide with Korah the honors of the priesthood。
The state of feeling among the people favored the designs of Korah。 In the
bitterness of their disappointment； their former doubts； jealousy； and
hatred had returned； and again their complaints were directed against their
patient leader。 The Israelites
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were continually losing sight of the fact that they were under divine
guidance。 They forgot that the Angel of the covenant was their invisible
leader； that； veiled by the cloudy pillar； the presence of Christ went
before them； and that from Him Moses received all his directions。
They were unwilling to submit to the terrible sentence that they must all
die in the wilderness； and hence they were ready to seize upon every pretext
for believing that it was not God but Moses who was leading them and who had
pronounced their doom。 The best efforts of the meekest man upon the earth
could not quell the insubordination of this people； and although the marks
of God's displeasure at their former perverseness were still before them in
their broken ranks and missing numbers； they did not take the lesson to
heart。 Again they were overcome by temptation。
The humble shepherd's life of Moses had been far more peaceful and happy
than his present position as leader of that vast assembly of turbulent
spirits。 Yet Moses dared not choose。 In place of a shepherd's crook a rod of
power had been given him； which he could not lay down until God should
release him。
He who reads the secrets of all hearts had marked the purposes of Korah and
his companions and had given His people such warning and instruction as
might have enabled them to escape the deception of these designing men。 They
had seen the judgment of God fall upon Miriam because of her jealousy and
complaints against Moses。 The Lord had declared that Moses was greater than
a prophet。 〃With him will I speak mouth to mouth。〃 〃Wherefore； then；〃 He
added； 〃were ye not afraid to speak against My servant Moses？〃 Numbers 12：8。
These instructions were not intended for Aaron and Miriam alone； but for all
Israel。
Korah and his fellow conspirators were men who had been favored with special
manifestations of God's power and greatness。 They were of the number who
went up with Moses into the mount and beheld the divine glory。 But since
that time a change had come。 A temptation； slight at first； had been
harbored； and had strengthened as it was encouraged； until their minds were
controlled by Satan； and they ventured upon their work of disaffection。
Professing great interest in the prosperity of the people； they first
whispered their discontent to one another and then to leading men of Israel。
Their insinuations were so readily
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received that they ventured still further； and at last they really believed
themselves to be actuated by zeal for God。
They were successful in alienating two hundred and fifty princes； men of
renown in the congregation。 With these strong and influential supporters
they felt confident of making a radical change in the government and greatly
improving upon the administration of Moses and Aaron。
Jealousy had given rise to envy； and envy to rebellion。 They had discussed
the question of the right of Moses to so great authority and honor； until
they had come to regard him as occupying a very enviable position； which any
of them could fill as well as he。 And they deceived themselves and one
another into thinking that Moses and Aaron had themselves assumed the
positions they held。 The discontented ones said that these leaders had
exalted themselves above the congregation of the Lord； in taking upon them
the priesthood and government； but their house was not entitled to
distinction above others in Israel； they were no more holy than the people；
and it should be enough for them to be on a level with their brethren； who
were equally favored with God's special presence and protection。
The next work of the conspirators was with the people。 To those who are in
the wrong； and deserving of reproof； there is nothing more pleasing than to
receive sympathy and praise。 And thus Korah and his associates gained the
attention and enlisted the support of the congregation。 The charge that the
murmurings of the people had brought upon them the wrath of God was declared
to be a mistake。 They said that the congregation were not at fault； since
they desired nothing more than their rights； but that Moses was an
overbearing ruler； that he had reproved the people as sinners； when they
were a holy people； and the Lord was among them。
Korah reviewed the history of their travels through the wilderness； where
they had been brought into strait places； and many had perished because of
their murmuring and disobedience。 His hearers thought they saw clearly that
their troubles might have been prevented if Moses had pursued a different
course。 They decided that all their disasters were chargeable to him； and
that their exclusion from Canaan was in consequence of the mismanagement of
Moses and Aaron； that if Korah would be their leader； and would encourage
them by dwelling upon their good
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deeds； instead of reproving their sins； they would have a very peaceful；
prosperous journey； instead of wandering to and fro in the wilderness； they
would proceed directly to the Promised Land。
In this work of disaffection there was greater union and harmony among the
discordant elements of the congregation than had ever before existed。
Korah's success with the people increased his confidence and confirmed him
in his belief that the usurpation of authority by Moses； if unchecked； would
be fatal to the liberties of Israel； he also claimed that God had opened the
matter to him； and had authorized him to make a change in the government
before it should be too late。 But many were not ready to accept Korah's
accusations against Moses。 The memory of his patient； self…sacrificing
labors came up before them； and conscience was disturbed。 It was therefore
necessary to assign some selfish motive for his deep interest for Israel；
and the old charge was reiterated； that he had led them out to perish in the
wilderness； that he might seize upon their possessions。
For a time this work was carried on secretly。 As soon； however； as the
movement had gained sufficient strength to warrant an open rupture； Korah
appeared at the head of the faction； and publicly accused Moses and Aaron of
usurping authority which Korah and his associates were equally entitled to
share。 It was charged； further； that the people had been deprived of their
liberty and independence。 〃Ye take too much upon you；〃 said the
conspirators； 〃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？〃
Moses had not suspected this deep…laid plot； and when its terrible
significance burst upon him； he fell upon his face in silent appeal to God。
He arose sorrowful indeed； but calm and strong。 Divine guidance had been
granted him。 〃Even tomorrow；〃 he said； 〃the Lord wil