“And they took every man his censer, and put fire in them, and laid incense thereon, and stood in the door of the tabernacle of the congregation with Moses and Aaron.”
This verse is part of the larger account of the rebellion of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram against the leadership of Moses and Aaron. They challenged the authority of Moses and Aaron, claiming that the entire congregation of Israel was holy, and therefore they should also be able to offer incense before the Lord.
In response to this rebellion, Moses instructs Korah and his followers to take their censers and put fire and incense in them. The censer was a vessel used to burn incense, often made of bronze, with a handle and a small bowl attached. Moses and Aaron also stood in the door of the tabernacle with their censers.
This act of bringing the censers and offering incense was significant in the context of the rebellion. In the Israelite religious system, the offering of incense was a sacred act reserved for the priests, specifically for Aaron and his descendants. By taking their censers and offering incense, Korah and his followers were presumptuously usurping the priestly role and defying God’s established order.
The door of the tabernacle of the congregation symbolizes the entrance to the sacred space where God’s presence dwelt. By standing at the door, Moses and Aaron asserted their rightful authority as chosen leaders and representatives of God. Their presence there, along with the offering of incense, demonstrated their divinely appointed position as priests.
In the subsequent verses, we see how God responds to the rebellion. He instructs Moses and Aaron to separate themselves from the congregation, as He was going to consume the rebels in a miraculous manner. God’s judgment fell upon Korah, Dathan, and Abiram, and the ground opened up and swallowed them along with their households, demonstrating the seriousness of their rebellion against God’s chosen leaders.
This passage teaches us several important lessons. First, it emphasizes the significance of respecting God’s established order and appointed leadership. Moses and Aaron were chosen by God to lead the Israelites, and their authority was not to be undermined or challenged. The rebellion of Korah and his followers serves as a warning against presumptuousness and rebellion in the face of God-ordained authority.
Second, it highlights the holiness and sacredness of the priestly role. The offering of incense was a sacred act reserved for the priests, representing their intercessory role between God and the people. By attempting to take on this role without being appointed by God, Korah and his followers showed a lack of reverence and understanding of the significance of the priesthood.
Finally, this passage demonstrates the severity of God’s judgment against those who rebel against His chosen leaders. God takes rebellion and disrespect toward His appointed authorities seriously. It serves as a reminder for us to honor and respect the leaders whom God has placed in our lives, whether they are spiritual leaders, government officials, or others in positions of authority.
In conclusion, Numbers 16:18 recounts the rebellion of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram against Moses and Aaron’s leadership. The act of taking censers and offering incense symbolized their defiance of God’s established order. This passage teaches us about the importance of respecting God’s appointed leaders, the significance of the priestly role, and the consequences of rebellion against God’s chosen authorities.
