Big Idea: God confirms his ministers and directs them to protect that which is sacred.

Understanding the Text

In Numbers 16 Korah challenges the exclusive privilege of priesthood by Aaron and his sons. But in the contest between Aaron and the followers of Korah, God shows Korah to be wrong by sending fire to consume the 250 non-Aaronites who have come to offer incense to God. A challenge also comes from Reubenites, who in sympathy with Korah claim that “the whole community is holy” (Num. 16:3b), not just Levites. They do not believe that God has appointed Moses and Aaron to their leadership and priestly positions (Num. 16:3c). These Reubenites maintain that the priesthood ought to be available to tribes other than Levi.

Numbers 17 answers this objection by the Reubenites. This is anothe…