| Date | Version | Reading Plan |
|---|---|---|
| February 24, 2026 | ESV (2016) | ESV Life Journal Plan – 2026 |
Numbers 14-16
Observation & Interpretation
There is a palpable theme throughout these chapters of rebellion against the LORD, its consequences and the LORD’s steadfast faithfulness to remain with His people despite their insolence. In response to the bad report brought by the spies, the people “raised a loud cry…wept” and “grumbled against Moses and Aaron” that they had been brought out of Egypt into the wilderness (Num. 14:1-2). Moses interceded and the LORD pardoned (Num. 14:20), but the result of their insurrection would be that none of the men who had seen God’s glory would see the land that He had sworn to their fathers. Upon hearing this, the people mourned greatly (Num. 14:39) and tried to proceed in taking the land on their own. This was met with disastrous results, being defeated by the Amalekites and Canaanites (Num. 14:45).
In chapter 15, following detailed instruction given to Moses by the LORD regarding laws about sacrifices and unintentional sins, we read of an instance in which a man was found gathering sticks on the Sabbath. Not knowing what was to be done, the man was put into custody. The LORD said to Moses that the man was to be stoned with stones by all the congregation, a punishment that illuminates the gravity of sin against a holy and righteous God in the failure to keep the Sabbath as was commanded.
Chapters 16 centers primarily with the rebellion of Korah, Dathan and Abiram. Much like the people in who grumbled against Moses in chapter 14 when they heard the bad report of the land, the men of Korah, Dathan and Abiram assembled together with animosity toward Moses, saying that he had brought them out of the land of milk and honey (Egypt) to be killed in the wilderness and that Moses had made himself prince over them (Num. 16:13). The LORD told Moses to separate from this congregation so that He could consume them (Num. 16:21). Moses spoke to the congregation to depart from the tents of these wicked men and, as soon as he had finished speaking, the earth opened up and swallowed up Dathan, Abiram and all their households. In response to their killing, the people again grumbled and accused Moses and Aaron of killing the people of the LORD (Num. 16:41). “The Lord then struck the people with a dreadful plague. Only when Aaron rushed into the midst of the congregation with incense and made atonement for the people was the plague … stopped.” (BBC)
Throughout all these incidents, we should see the weight of sin and the just wrath meted out by our holy LORD. Let it be for us never to rationalize, downplay or otherwise diminish the utter incompatibility of unrighteousness with the God of all Creation.
Resources
- J. I. Packer et. al, The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016)
- Colin Hansen (Editor in Chief), TGC Bible Commentary (Columbia, MO: The Gospel Coalition, 2022)
- Iain M. Duguid (Series Editor), ESV Expository Commentary (Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2018-2025)
- Faithlife Study Bible (Lexham Press, 2016)
- Believer’s Bible Commentary (Thomas Nelson, 2016)
- CSB Study Bible Notes (Holman Bible Publishers, 2017)
- The New American Commentary (Brentwood, TN: Holman Reference)
- Lane T. Dennis and Wayne Grudem (Editors), ESV Study Bible, Crossway, 2008.
