Man the Israelites are getting pissy. It seems everywhere we turn they're getting upset about something. Being in the wilderness gets rough sometimes and when times get rough people get rebellious (or at least thats how its told here). In Chapter 16 of Numbers we find a small group of Israelites led by Korah that decide they are tired of Moses close relationship with God. Jealousy creeps into 250 men and they challenge Moses.
Before long we have the Earth literally splitting open to swallow up the leaders of this rebellion and then God uses fire to lay waste to the remaining 250 men involved in the rebellion. With such destruction comes worry from the people of Israel and they assemble against the tent of meeting. God then sets a plague into effect as justice for their doubting and rebellion. Then Moses shows forgiveness once again towards the people as he atones for their rebellion through incense.
Chapter 17 highlights the proof of Aaron's authority and the people's grumbles against him as his staff bears fruit while all others fail to. This leads to God showing His people the importance of the priests coming before Him on their behalf. In this God shows that the honor of priesthood is not something to hold high is pride but something that should be humbling as the greater the responsibility the greater the potential for failure. It's both a lesson for Aaron and for the Israelites to know God's authority is ever important. His justice and wrath will not be denied.
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