Here God gave all Israel an opportunity to see and to feel the sinfulness of their course, which should have led them to repentance and confession. He gave the deceived ones overwhelming evidence that they were sinners and that His servant Moses was right. They had an opportunity to pass one night in reflection upon the fearful visitation of Heaven which they had witnessed. But reason was perverted. Korah had instigated the rebellion, and two hundred and fifty princes had joined him in spreading the disaffection. All the congregation were, to a greater or less degree, affected with the prevailing jealousy, surmisings, and hatred against Moses, which had brought the displeasure of God in a fearfully marked manner. Yet our gracious God shows Himself a God of justice and mercy. He made a distinction between the instigators—the leaders in the rebellion—and those who had been deceived or led by them. He pitied the ignorance and folly of those who had been deceived. {3T 353.3}

Her gav Gud hele Israel en anledning til at se og føle deres handlemådes syndighed, som burde have ledt dem til anger og bekendelse. Han gav de bedragede overvældende beviser for at de var syndere og at hans tjener Moses var retfærdig. De havde en anledning til at gå en nat med eftertanke på himlens frygtelige hjemsøgelse som de havde været vidne til. Men fornuften blev trodset. Kora havde opirret oprøret og to hundrede og halvtreds fyrster havde forenet sig med ham i at sprede utilfredshed. Hele menigheden var, i mere eller mindre grad, påvirket af den fremherskende skinsyge, mistanker og had mod Moses, som (354) havde udløst Guds mishag på en frygtelig markerende måde. Alligevel viste den nådige Gud sig, som en retfærdighedens og barmhjertighedens Gud. Han gjorde en adskillelse mellem anstifterne - oprørslederne - og dem som blev bedraget eller forledt af dem. Han ynkedes over deres uvidenhed og tåbelighed som var blevet bedraget.