Scripture Daily

Context No. 2932 of 4322 · Numbers

Context · Reflection

Numbers 16:15-19: in context

15Moses was very angry, and said to the LORD, “Don’t respect their offering. I have not taken one donkey from them, neither have I hurt one of them.” 16Moses said to Korah, “You and all your company go before the LORD, you, and they, and Aaron, tomorrow. 17Each man take his censer and put incense on it, and each man bring before the LORD his censer, two hundred fifty censers; you also, and Aaron, each with his censer.” 18They each took his censer, and put fire in it, and laid incense on it, and stood at the door of the Tent of Meeting with Moses and Aaron. 19Korah assembled all the congregation opposite them to the door of the Tent of Meeting. The LORD’s glory appeared to all the congregation.

Korah has led a rebellion against Moses and Aaron, and Moses, deeply angry, sets a test. Let Korah and his two hundred fifty followers each bring a censer of incense before the LORD tomorrow, along with Aaron, and let God show whom he has chosen. And Moses defends himself to God: I have not taken one donkey from them, nor harmed a single one of them. The next morning they all stand with their censers at the tent, and the glory of the LORD appears.

The dispute is about who may draw near to God, who is holy enough to offer the incense. Korah insists the whole congregation is holy, so why should Aaron alone serve? Moses does not argue the point; he lets God decide by the test. And notice how Moses answers the charge that he has lorded it over the people: his conscience is clear, I have wronged no one. When authority or calling is challenged, the answer is not to grasp and self-justify, but to keep one's hands clean and let God vindicate the truth.

When my role or my integrity is challenged, do I grasp to defend myself, or keep my hands clean and let God vindicate the truth?

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