Signs of the Times, Book 1 - Ellen G. White

September 9, 1880
The Great Rebellion
The terrible judgments of God visited upon the Israelites served to
restrain for a time the spirit of murmuring and insubordination, but it was not
destroyed, and erelong, as the hosts of Israel turned their faces toward the
wilderness, this spirit again appeared. The former rebellions had been mere
popular tumults, the result of the sudden impulses of the excited multitude.
But now a regular conspiracy was formed, the fruit of a determined purpose
to overthrow the authority of the leaders appointed by God himself.
Korah, the leading spirit in this movement, was of the tribe of Levi, and
was a man of ability and influence in the congregation. He had for some time
cherished a feeling of dissatisfaction, and had been secretly at work against
Moses, though he had not ventured to any open act of rebellion. But He who
reads the secrets of all hearts had marked the purpose of this ambitious and
designing man, and had not left his people without warning and instruction
in regard to their duty.
They had seen the wrath of God visited upon Miriam because of her
jealousy and complaints against his chosen servant, Moses. The Lord had
told them that Moses was greater than a prophet, for God had revealed
himself to Moses in a more direct manner than to a prophet. "With him will I
speak mouth to mouth." "Wherefore, then," he added, "were ye not afraid to
speak against my servant Moses?" These instructions were not intended for
Aaron and Miriam alone, but for all the congregation of Israel.
God himself had called Moses to the position of governor of that people,
and had intrusted to Aaron and his sons the sacred and responsible office of
the priesthood. Korah determined that this order should be changed, that he
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