At the time of this writing, Indiana University is on an improbable run in the College Football Championship. They’ve decimated everyone in their path with almost surgical precision, to the point that it feels like nothing will be able to stop them.
(Note: I write these devotionals in advance, so there’s a good chance they lost the championship game last night. It happens. The point still remains.)
That has to be how Korah felt when he approached Moses in Numbers 16. Even though he has 250 of the “chosen in the assembly” at his back, he’s still going against the man who performed miracles in Egypt and parted the waters of the Red Sea. God is clearly at his back. There’s no way God would vindicate Korah instead of Moses, right?
Right?
The outcome is almost so predictable that the whole episode seems like an exercise in futility. Still, Korah goes through with it, which must mean he believes God will somehow side with him. He takes his censer, puts fire in it, and stands at the doorway of the Tent of Meeting (Numbers 16:18).
By the way, this censer test in Numbers 16 is way more than just a simple “who will God choose” examination. According to Leviticus 16:11-14, this is reserved strictly for the priests (which probably explains why Moses accuses Korah of “seeking for the priesthood in Numbers 16:10).
A similar test involving the censers would’ve rang true in the memory of most Israelites. In Numbers 10, Nadab and Abihu offered “strange fire” before the Lord—also involving their censers—and were killed on the spot for their sin.
In short, the test of the censers not only shows how the worship should be offered (in the case of Nadab and Abihu), but who can offer it as well (as with Korah). Many decades later, King Uzziah tried to offer incense in the Temple and was struck with leprosy (2 Chronicles 26:16-20), so it’s clearly an exclusive activity.
Korah had to have known what was at stake. If he grabs a censer, which he is legally not allowed to use, then he will die. The prohibition is clear.
If that’s true, then why did he go through with it? The only possible answer is that, in his own mind, Korah was right. God had reiterated several times that the congregation was holy and special to God. They were His chosen people.
But even still, they weren’t the priests—nor were they Moses, for that matter. And despite how much access they were given, they can’t demand more, especially as it pertains to an almighty God.
This is a lesson for us, as well. As much as we have been given by God, it doesn’t mean that we can demand more. It’s easy to look at our blessings, as Korah did, and think that makes us “above the law.” In reality, it’s just a sign of God’s love.
Shouldn’t that be enough?