41 But on the next day all the congregation of the sons of Israel grumbled against Moses and Aaron , saying , "You are the ones who have caused the death of the Lord'S people ." 42 It came about, however, when the congregation had assembled against Moses and Aaron , that they turned toward the tent of meeting , and behold , the cloud covered it and the glory of the Lord appeared . 43 Then Moses and Aaron came to the front of the tent of meeting , 44 and the Lord spoke to Moses , saying , 45 " Get away from among this congregation , that I may consume them instantly ." Then they fell on their faces . 46 Moses said to Aaron , "Take your censer and put in it fire from the altar , and lay incense on it; then bring it quickly to the congregation and make atonement for them, for wrath has gone forth from the Lord , the plague has begun !" 47 Then Aaron took it as Moses had spoken , and ran into the midst of the assembly , for behold , the plague had begun among the people . So he put on the incense and made atonement for the people . 48 He took his stand between the dead and the living , so that the plague was checked . 49 But those who died by the plague were 14,700 e e e e , besides e those who died on account e of Korah . 50 Then Aaron returned to Moses at the doorway of the tent of meeting , for the plague had been checked .
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Numbers 16:41-50
Commentary on Numbers 16:41-50
(Read Numbers 16:41-50)
The gaping earth was scarcely closed, before the same sins are again committed, and all these warnings slighted. They called the rebels the people of the Lord; and find fault with Divine justice. The obstinacy of Israel notwithstanding the terrors of God's law, as given on mount Sinai, and the terrors of his judgments, shows how necessary the grace of God is to change men's hearts and lives. Love will do what fear cannot. Moses and Aaron interceded with God for mercy, knowing how great the provocation was. Aaron went, and burned incense between the living and the dead, not to purify the air, but to pacify an offended God. As one tender of the life of every Israelite, Aaron made all possible speed. We must render good for evil. Observe especially, that Aaron was a type of Christ. There is an infection of sin in the world, which only the cross and intercession of Jesus Christ can stay and remove. He enters the defiled and dying camp. He stands between the dead and the living; between the eternal Judge and the souls under condemnation. We must have redemption through His blood, even the remission of sins. We admire the ready devotion of Aaron: shall we not bless and praise the unspeakable grace and love which filled the Saviour's heart, when he placed himself in our stead, and bought us with his life? Greatly indeed hath God commended his love towards us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us, Romans 5:8.