Numbers 16:2 And they rose up before Moses, with certain of the children of Israel, two hundred and fifty princes of the assembly….And they gathered themselves together against Moses and against Aaron.
The rebellion of Koran, Dathan, and Abiram called forth a severe lesson for Israel, and for us. Because they rose up against God and His servants, the Lord sent an earthquake to a certain place and time to open up the earth and swallow just them and their families and followers. It surely seems overly severe, but the event would certainly leave an impression on Israel: rebellion is the opposite of submissive obedience. This is serious. Obedience arises out of faith in a good and faithful God; rebellion arises out of unbelief in a good God, and from pride, sin, and self-centeredness.
A holy, jealous God cannot tolerate any devotion, worship, love, or trust in anyone (or Self) other than God alone. Jesus is exclusive. A life lived out of love for self in place of love for God is rebellion. And it demands punishment: the earth should swallow us up. However, what we do not want to face up to is the truth that every little sin in thought, word, or deed is a rebellion that deserves death and eternal separation from God.
Therefore, we take every sin seriously, and we repent daily and confess weekly. If the Lord regards my little sins so severely, so should I. Then the joy of forgiveness really means something.