Numbers 16-17, Psalm 53-54

You’d think that by this point, the people of Israel would have settled on the well-established conclusion that Moses is in charge by command of the Lord and by the signs and wonders performed that confirm he is God’s chosen leader. Even so, in today’s reading, a man named Korah incites a rebellion against Moses, questioning his authority. Armed with the conclusion that the entire community of Israel is holy, he contends that Moses and Aaron have no right to go before the Lord exclusively. Korah and 250 men appear before the Lord, and what happens next is unprecedented. Later, God gives Israel a symbol in the tabernacle to remind them of what took place and to discourage future challenges to the authority of Moses and Aaron.