The absolute last thing I want to do with the Bible is twist the contents to force some kind of contrived canonical theory, but when you put together Numbers 16-18, it just seems to flow together too nicely.
Think about it. Numbers 16 is a long story detailing a few challenges to Moses’ and Aaron’s authority. Dathan, Abiram, and more famously, Korah. All argue that they should be in positions of leadership, as well.
What were they after? In Korah’s case, he wanted the priesthood. This is seen in Numbers 16:10, where Moses calls out Korah for trying to greedily extend his station. He was already a Levite, separated from the rest of the community, but now it seems like he wanted to be a High Priest as well.
God declares His choice by the test of censers, and then in Numbers 17, even causes Aaron’s rod to bud as a further sign that his tribe is uniquely dedicated to God. This argument is then laid to rest.
If those chapters are connected, then it seems logical that Numbers 18 could be related, too. This section talks about the dual nature of the priesthood. Yes, you have your vocation chosen for you, but, if Israel follows this Law, you’ll never really have to worry about your livelihood. Many of the sacrifices to the Lord are given to you as income.
Is this what Korah was really after? Upon seeing and hearing about the holy offerings that were given to the priests, did he want those for himself?
Obviously, it’s impossible to know Korah’s motivation outside of what the Text tells us, but it has to be at least one theory, right? In a wilderness setting where manna is a dietary staple, the sight of regular meat, grain, and oil sacrifices would be tempting.
Numbers 18 even fixates on the exclusivity of the priesthood. Four times in the first six verses, God emphasizes that this honor is exclusive to the priests; any outsider who takes it for themselves will be put to death. Is that a nod to Korah?
If this were so (and I acknowledge this could all be made up by yours truly), then that reveals yet another layer to Korah’s false charges.
Ostensibly, he wanted everyone to be equal. “Everyone was holy,” after all, not just Aaron and Moses. Of course, what he really wanted was headship that wasn’t due him, which is why God punished him.
But it’s also possible that he only really wanted the position of leadership because of what it gave to him personally. Along with the authority, he also would be entitled to a certain percentage of every Israelite’s belongings. And as the high priest (which he probably would’ve taken for himself), he would’ve had a huge say in how it those funds were distributed.
That’s not what leadership is for. As we’ve seen time and time again, the ones best suited for leadership are usually the ones that feel they’re not qualified, just like Moses. They feel the weight of what that service entails, not a lust for what it can give them.
It extends to Jesus’ own statement about His position: “The Son of Man didn’t come to be served, but to serve” (Mark 10:45). That’s a statement that every true leader lives by.