Aaron and the golden calf. Moses went up on the mountain to talk to God. Aaron stayed in the camp and talked with the people. The inevitable took place: Aaron sinned by trying to please the people.

Aaron was a tare on this occasion. He was not hearing from God. When Moses confronted him he would not confess his sin.

And I said unto them, Whosoever hath any gold, let them break it off. So they gave it me: then I cast it into the fire, and there came out this calf. (Exodus 32:24)

But Aaron had made the calf. His excuse was a lie.

Aaron did not understand the ways of the Lord. He feared the people. This may not seem like a great sin but it nearly resulted in the destruction of all the Israelites. What we understand to be great wickedness may not be what God considers to be great wickedness, and the reverse may be true. God is looking for people who will listen to him instead of doing what is expedient or what pleases the people. These are the righteous in God's sight.

Korah. Korah was a wicked man—so much so God buried him and his followers alive. Korah's followers were nobles of Israel.

Now Korah, the son of Izhar, the son of Kohath, the son of Levi, and Dathan and Abiram, the sons of Eliab, and on, the son of Peleth, sons of Reuben, took men: And they rose up before Moses, with certain of the children of Israel, two hundred and fifty princes of the assembly, famous in the congregation, men of renown: (Numbers 16:1,2)

Korah was a Kohathite Levite, qualified to carry the Ark of the Covenant on the march. Yet he exemplifies the tare, the truly wicked individual.

Korah did not hear from the Lord. Korah never repented of his rebellion. Korah was without understanding of God and His ways. Korah was proud and arrogant, seeking for preeminence, as we can tell from his remarks to Moses and Aaron.

And they gathered themselves together against Moses and against Aaron, and said unto them, Ye take too much upon you, seeing all the congregation are holy, every one of them, and the Lord is among them: wherefore then lift ye up yourselves above the congregation of the Lord? (Numbers 16:3)

Notice that Korah was completely without any understanding of God and His ways. This is always true of this type of individual. He knew of the Presence of God with Moses in the court of Pharaoh, crossing the Red Sea, visiting with God on the holy mountain. Did Korah have no brains at all? Was he trying to fight against God?

Did Korah really believe God would agree with him that Moses and Aaron needed to be chastised for taking too much upon themselves?

The amazing thing is that two hundred fifty famous leaders of Israel were persuaded to join Korah. No doubt this rebellion had been brewing for a long time and finally came to a head.

To be continued.