3/25 Numbers 16:3

³ They assembled themselves together against Moses and against Aaron and said to them, "You have gone too far! For all in the congregation are holy, every one of them, and the LORD is among them. Why then do you exalt yourselves above the assembly of the LORD?"

A man named Dathan inspired the Levites that cared for the Tabernacle to demand the authority to serve as priests, entering into the Tabernacle and serving where only Aaron and his sons were allowed to minister. They thought it was unfair that Moses and his brother Aaron were leaders in everything. If you recall, it was God who chose Moses and Aaron. Moses never wanted the job. That is true of godly men. It is only the power hungry who lust after leadership. Every time I have found a godly elder, they have always said they were not worthy of the position. Be careful of those who demand it.

Moses told the rebels to bring censers before the Tabernacle and let God choose. Once they arrived, the Lord told Moses that He was going to wipe them out, but Moses interceded in prayer pleading that they had been led astray. God directed them to go to the tents of the leaders of the rebellion, Dathan and two other families who refused to come to the Tabernacle. He warned everyone to get away from those tents. The earth opened up and swallowed them. Then fire came down and killed the 250 men that had come with censers.

Then next day the people complained that Moses had killed those people. I know, it is hard to believe, but I have seen people blame their pastor for the judgments that God dealt out on rebellious people in the church. People that are not led by the Spirit have a difficult time discerning the hand of the Lord. A plague began in the congregation of Israel. Moses interceded in prayer again. This time the Lord had Moses send Aaron out in their midst with a censer of incense between the dead and the living and the plague was stopped.

Lesson: Godly leaders do not relish their role. Ungodly leader types can be powerfully persuasive in influencing others against God's leaders. Watch out for those who cause division. Genuine humility and concern for the people are key qualities in God's under-shepherds.