經過加低斯之亂後（14章），以色列民需要重溫上帝有關獻祭的誡命，並要知道，雖然他們將在曠野漂流四十年，又不能進入應許之地，但那些誡命仍舊是必須遵守的。在十五章裡，上帝兩次確定的表示祂要賜給他們迦南地的應許（15︰2、18），但真正承受那塊土地的將是他們的子孫；以色列年輕的一代需要確知這些誡命。

        上帝為誤蹈法網的人預備了贖罪祭，但祂明白的表示，明知故犯的人無祭可獻，此等存心不良的人必要將他「從民中剪除」（15︰31）。緊接著就是一個藐視安息日而被石頭打死的例子。上帝的懲罰看起來似乎太嚴厲，但我們必須記得，以色列是一群悖逆的百姓，若不嚴格執行律法，他們就會變成一群無法無天之輩。

        十五章也強調，非以色列人或在以色列人中寄居的外人都可以來遵行上帝之道並與祂相交（羅3︰29），不過他們要和以色列人遵守相同的律法。因為上帝對以色列人和寄居者的律法相同（15︰14~16、26、29~30），好使兩者都能享受相同的保障和福利。

        第十六章是一項規模最大、計畫最周詳的反摩西行動。那些叛黨並沒有從亞倫和米利暗事件中學到教訓。他們共分兩派︰一派是以可拉（摩西的堂兄弟，出6︰18~21）為首的宗教叛亂團體，他們嫉恨祭司高人一等的權利。可拉屬哥轄家族，享有在會幕裡協助祭司事奉的特權（4︰4）。但可拉並不滿意，他貪戀祭司的地位。他的許多黨羽都是虔誠的利未人，也有一些是一般民眾。另一派是出於政治上的不滿，他們怨恨摩西的領導，為上帝的審判責怪摩西，又怪他沒能把他們領進應許之地。這一派的頭頭是兩個流便支派的子孫，大坍和亞比蘭；他們在以色列會眾中散播不利摩西的言論，並得到許多人的支持。這兩派人士聯合起來叛變，還有以色列會眾中二百五十位首領與他們同一陣線。他們向摩西的權柄挑戰，指控他自高超過其他那些「聖潔、耶和華也在他們中間的」會眾（16︰3）。摩西的回答很有智慧，因為唯有上帝能決定「誰是屬祂的，誰是聖潔的」（16︰5）。

        聖經對上帝的怒氣有如下的描寫︰「落在永生上帝的手裡，真是可怕的」（來10︰31）。「耶和華見他百姓毫無能力……就必為他們伸冤，為祂的僕人後悔」（申32︰36）。上帝用三件事清楚證明摩西的確是祂授命作以色列人的領袖，以及，上帝唯獨指派亞倫和他的子孫為祭司。（1）上帝用火吞滅那二百五十位與可拉一同出氣，自以為有資格在上帝面前奉香的驕傲首領。他們的香爐被錘成片子用來永遠提醒以色列百姓，悖逆上帝及上帝指派的領袖和祭司的代價。（2）上帝使地開了口，吞滅大坍、亞比蘭、可拉，以及他們的家族（不過可拉的眾子似乎沒有參與這場叛亂，因為我們在廿六章十一節看到，他們沒有死於這個災難）。（3）上帝施展祂的怒氣為要維護摩西的權力和地位後，以色列人竟因上帝嚴厲的懲罰怪罪摩西（好像他是禍因）。上帝的怒氣再次發作，瘟疫開始在百姓中間蔓延，一直到摩西和亞倫為他們代求停止，已有將近一萬五千人橫屍在這場瘟疫中。

        今天有許多人反對上帝，拒絕祂的兒子耶穌基督和聖經的權威。但有一審判大日將臨，屆時所有的人都必曉得真理，上帝也將明白指出誰是屬祂的人（太25︰31∼34、36）。

        主啊，您是我們敬畏的上帝。您嚴厲的審判罪。謝謝您藉著您的兒子耶穌成為人，自己承擔我們因罪和悖逆所當受的審判。賜給我們恩典及一顆謙卑的心，使我們天天在您面前承認自己是蒙恩的罪人。奉主耶穌基督聖名，阿們！

English

        After the rebellion at Kadesh (Num.14), the people needed to be reminded of the commands of the Lord regarding sacrifices, and to know that these commands were still obligatory, even though they were to remain in the wilderness and would not be entering the Promised Land for forty years. Twice in chapter 15, the Lord reaffirms His intention to give them the land (15:2,18), but it would be their children who would enjoy it; it was these younger people who would need these teachings reaffirmed.

        God made provision of atonement for sins committed in ignorance, but it was clearly shown that for deliberate sins committed with evil intent, no sacrifice was acceptable, and that person was to be “completely cut off” (15:31). An example was given of a man stoned to death for despising the command of the Lord concerning the observance of the Sabbath. This may seem harsh, but we must remember these were rebellious people, and it was necessary to strictly enforce the laws or total anarchy would result.

        Chapter 15 stresses that the non-Israelite, or stranger who lived among them, was to be welcomed to follow in the ways of the Lord and have fellowship with Him (Rom.3:29). They were, however, also expected to follow the same rules, for God had only one law for both a native-born Israelite and a gentile (15:14-16, 26, 29-30), that all might enjoy the privileges.

        In chapter 16, we read of one of the most well planned rebellions against Moses. They had not learned from the lesson taught to Aaron and Miriam (Num.12). In this conspiracy there were two factions against Moses; (1) A religious revolt that resented the superior rights of the priesthood was led by Korah (a cousin of Moses; Ex.6:18-21), who was privileged as a Kohathite to assist the priests in an important service of the Tabernacle (4:4). That was not enough for Korah: he coveted the position of the priests. Many of his followers were other overly pious Levites, as well as some men from the general congregation. (2) But there was also a political revolt. Those people resented Moses’ leadership and failure to bring them into the Promised Land (they blamed him for God’s judgment). This was led by two Reubenites, Dathan and Abiram, who gathered much support from the community by spreading discontent. Both groups united in the uprising and gathered about them 250 influential men of the community. They challenged Moses’ authority and charged him with exalting himself over all others whom they said were, “holy every one of them, and the Lord in among them” (16:3). Moses answered them wisely and challenged them, for only God could make the decision of “who is His and who is holy” (16:5).

        The Bible says, concerning God’s wrath, “it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God” (Heb.10:31); “For the Lord will judge His people and have compassion on His servants, when He sees that their power in gone” (Deut.32:36). In three ways, the Lord vindicated Moses, making the decision clear that he was definitely ordained by Him to be their leader, and only Aaron and his sons, whom He appointed, were to be the priests. (1) God consumed with fire the 250 arrogant men who had joined with Korah, presuming they were worthy to offer incense before Him. Their flattened censers would serve to always remind the people of the cost of rebellion against the Lord and His appointed leaders and priests (16:38). (2) God caused the earth to swallow up Dathan, Abiram, and Korah, along with their household (however, it seems Korah’s own sons had not supported him, for later we read that they did not die at that time, Numbers 26:11). (3) After these displays of God’s wrath, intended dot restore Moses to power and his high position, the Israelites accused him about the severity of the punishments (as though he was the cause). God’s anger was once again aroused and a plague began among the people, and before Moses’ and Aaron’s intercession became effective, nearly 15,000 had died.

        Today, many people are in rebellion against God by rejecting His Son Jesus Christ and the authority of His inspired Word, but a great judgment day is coming when all will know the truth and God will shoe\w clearly those who are His and those who are not (Matt.25:31-34, 46).

        Lord, You are God whom we do fear. You judge sin most harshly. Thank You that You became a human being in the person of Your Son, Jesus, and took the judgment for our sin and rebellion upon Yourself. Grant us the grace and humility to daily recognized and acknowledges this fact before You.