Korah and his crew attempted a coup. They tried to overthrow Moses in the wilderness. Let’s look at the story a little deeper. It provides some insights into rebellion.
First, rebellion is often led by those close to you. Korah was Moses’ first cousin (Ex. 6: 18, 20, 21). Moses also faced insurrection from brother Aaron and sister Miriam (12: 1 – 16). David’s empire was threatened by his son, Absalom (2 Sam. 15 – 18). Jesus was betrayed by one of His apostles and Paul was frequently attacked by the very people he led to Christ. Opposition sometimes comes from without but more frequently and forcefully it comes from within. Often it arises from those closest to us.
Second, rebellion is sometimes instigated by those with the weightiest responsibilities. Korah was a son of Kohath, son of Levi (16: 1). The Kohathites had the most sacred responsibilities among the Levites. They were charged with transporting the furnishing of the Holy of Holies (4: 1 – 20). Korah was joined by some men with marquee names as well as 250 prominent Israelite men who were leaders of the community and representatives in the assembly (16: 2). People with great responsibility may be humbled by that responsibility or they may get an air of superiority.
Third, people with too much time on their hands may stir up trouble. Korah was, no doubt, well beyond the fifty years at which Levites were required to retire from Tabernacle service (4: 3). Did idle hands make the devil’s workshop on this occasion? They often do.
Fourth, Moses’ obedience may have led indirectly to Korah’s disobedience. Moses had faithfully informed the people that they would die in the wilderness (14: 26 – 40). People don’t like bad news even when it is true news. Perhaps dissatisfaction with the ways things turned out in chapter 14 contributed to the rebellion of chapter 16.
Finally, God hates rebellion. The speedy judgment of God against these rebels is etched into our minds forever. God says rebellion is like the sin of divination, and defiance is like wickedness and idolatry (1 Sam. 15: 23). God likens rebellion to occultic practices because both open people up to direct demonic activity. Rebellion is serious stuff and God deals with it decisively. There are thousands of tombstones in hundreds of church cemeteries to testify to God’s hatred for rebellion.