Beginning of the End

Unfair Attack on Moses

But many were not ready to accept Korah’s claims against Moses. They remembered his patient, self-sacrificing labors, and their consciences were disturbed. So Korah found it necessary to assign some selfish motive—the old charge was repeated that Moses had led them out to die in the wilderness so that he might seize their possessions. BOE 195.6

As soon as the movement gained enough strength to support an open break, Korah publicly accused Moses and Aaron of taking authority. “You take too much upon yourselves,” said the conspirators. “For all the congregation is holy, every one of them, and the Lord is among them. Why then do you exalt yourselves above the assembly of the Lord?” BOE 195.7

Moses had not suspected this carefully-laid plot, and he fell on his face in silent appeal to God. He rose up calm and strong—Divine guidance had come. “Tomorrow morning,” he said, “the Lord will show who is His and who is holy, and ... whom He chooses He will cause to come near to Him.” Those who thought they should be priests were to each come with a censer and offer incense at the tabernacle. Even the priests, Nadab and Abihu, had been destroyed for daring to offer “strange fire” contrary to a divine command. Yet Moses challenged his accusers, to refer the matter to God if they dared risk making such a request. BOE 195.8

Pointing out Korah and his fellow Levites, Moses said, “Is it a small thing to you that the God of Israel has separated you from the congregation of Israel, to bring you near to Himself, to do the work of the tabernacle of the Lord ...? and that He has brought you near to Himself, you and all your brethren, the sons of Levi, with you? and are you seeking the priesthood also? Therefore you and all your company are gathered together against the Lord. And what is Aaron that you complain against him?” BOE 196.1

Dathan and Abiram had not taken as bold a stand as Korah had, and Moses called them to appear before him, that he might hear their charges against him. But they rudely refused to accept his authority: “Is it a small thing that you have brought us up out of a land flowing with milk and honey, to kill us in the wilderness, that you should keep acting like a prince over us? Moreover you have not brought us into a land flowing with milk and honey, nor given us inheritance of fields and vineyards. Will you put out the eyes of these men? We will not come up!” BOE 196.2

By saying this, they declared that they would no longer submit to be led around like blind men, now toward Canaan, and now toward the wilderness, to fit Moses’ ambitious plans. They portrayed him as the worst tyrant and power-grabber. They blamed him for their exclusion from Canaan. BOE 196.3

Moses did not try to defend himself. He solemnly appealed to God in the presence of the congregation and begged Him to be his judge. BOE 196.4