Joe: Alright, so we are talking about Numbers 16! Tell us about it!
Bible Expert: Well, Joe, Numbers 16 tells the story of a rebellion led by Korah against Moses and Aaron. Korah gathers 250 prominent Israelites and claims that Moses and Aaron have "taken too much upon themselves" and that they are no better than the rest of the Israelites.
Joe: Wow, that sounds like a pretty bold accusation. What happens next?
Bible Expert: God speaks to Moses and Aaron and tells them to separate themselves from the people and warns that the rebels should be careful not to be consumed by the earth. Moses then tells the rebels to put incense on their censers the next morning, and God will tell them who are his chosen priests.
Jamie: (interrupting) Hey Joe, I just Googled it and it says that the censers were filled with incense and coals from the altar. Is that right?
Bible Expert: That's correct.
Joe: So, what happens next?
Bible Expert: Well, the next morning, Korah and his followers put incense on their censers, but instead of the Lord speaking to them, fire comes out from the Lord and consumes the 250 men. The ground then opens up and swallows up the people who had followed Korah, along with their families and possessions.
Joe: That's wild! So, what happens after that?
Bible Expert: The people of Israel then become fearful and accuse Moses and Aaron of killing the people. However, God speaks to Moses and tells him to have Aaron take a censer and burn incense in order to make atonement for the people. Aaron does as he is told and the plague that had been sent by the Lord stops.