"They were successful in alienating two hundred and fifty princes, men of renown in the congregation. With these strong and influential supporters they felt confident of making a radical change in the government and greatly improving upon the administration of Moses and Aaron. PP 397.1"
"And they gathered themselves together against Moses and against Aaron, and said unto them, Ye take too much upon you, seeing all the congregation are holy, every one of them, and the Lord is among them: wherefore then lift ye up yourselves above the congregation of the Lord?"
The EGW passage describes the princes' support for Korah and their desire to change the government. This directly reflects the events and sentiments expressed in Numbers 16:3, where Korah and his followers challenge Moses and Aaron's authority. The EGW passage builds upon the biblical narrative by elaborating on the princes' confidence and goals.
"Jealousy had given rise to envy, and envy to rebellion. They had discussed the question of the right of Moses to so great authority and honor, until they had come to regard him as occupying a very enviable position, which any of them could fill as well as he. And they deceived themselves and one another into thinking that Moses and Aaron had themselves assumed the positions they held. The discontented ones said that these leaders had exalted themselves above the congregation of the Lord, in taking upon them the priesthood and government, but their house was not entitled to distinction above others in Israel; they were no more holy than the people, and it should be enough for them to be on a level with their brethren, who were equally favored with God's special presence and protection. PP 397.2"
"And they gathered themselves together against Moses and against Aaron, and said unto them, Ye take too much upon you, seeing all the congregation are holy, every one of them, and the Lord is among them: wherefore then lift ye up yourselves above the congregation of the Lord?"
The EGW passage directly echoes the sentiments and accusations made by Korah, Dathan, and Abiram in Numbers 16:3. Both passages highlight the challenge to Moses and Aaron's authority, the claim that they have exalted themselves, and the assertion that all the congregation is holy.
"For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work."
The EGW passage describes how jealousy and envy led to rebellion and strife. James 3:16 states that where envy and strife exist, there is confusion and evil. The EGW passage provides a specific example of the principle outlined in James.
"A sound heart is the life of the flesh: but envy the rottenness of the bones."
The EGW passage describes how envy led to rebellion. Proverbs 14:30 speaks of the destructive nature of envy. The EGW passage illustrates the principle of envy leading to negative consequences.
"reproof, there is nothing more pleasing than to receive sympathy and praise. And thus Korah and his associates gained the attention and enlisted the support of the congregation. The charge that the murmurings of the people had brought upon them the wrath of God was declared to be a mistake. They said that the congregation were not at fault, since they desired nothing more than their rights; but that Moses was an overbearing ruler; that he had reproved the people as sinners, when they were a holy people, and the Lord was among them. PP 397.3"
"For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;"
Both passages deal with people who reject sound doctrine/reproof and prefer to hear what they want to hear. The EGW passage illustrates this principle in the context of Korah's rebellion, while 2 Timothy 4:3 states the principle directly.
"Which say to the seers, See not; and to the prophets, Prophesy not unto us right things, speak unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits:"
Both passages describe people who prefer to hear smooth things and deceits rather than truth and reproof. Korah and his followers wanted to hear about their good deeds and rights, not their sins. Isaiah 30:10 directly states this preference for smooth things.
"Korah reviewed the history of their travels through the wilderness, where they had been brought into strait places, and many had perished because of their murmuring and disobedience. His hearers thought they saw clearly that their troubles might have been prevented if Moses had pursued a different course. They decided that all their disasters were chargeable to him, and that their exclusion from Canaan was in consequence of the mismanagement of Moses and Aaron; that if Korah would be their leader, and would encourage them by dwelling upon their good deeds, instead of reproving their sins, they would have a very peaceful, prosperous journey; instead of wandering to and fro in the wilderness, they would proceed directly to the Promised Land. PP 397.4"
"And all the children of Israel murmured against Moses and against Aaron: and the whole congregation said unto them, Would God that we had died in the land of Egypt! or would God we had died in this wilderness!"
The EGW passage directly references and expands upon the murmuring of the Israelites against Moses, which is a central theme in Numbers 14:2. Both passages highlight the people's dissatisfaction with Moses' leadership and their longing for a different outcome.
"Is it a small thing that thou hast brought us up out of a land that floweth with milk and honey, to kill us in the wilderness, except thou make thyself altogether a prince over us?"
The EGW passage directly alludes to the complaints of Korah and his followers, mirroring the sentiment expressed in Numbers 16:13 about being brought out of Egypt to die in the wilderness and Moses' perceived overbearing leadership. The EGW passage provides context and explanation for this complaint.