That’s kind of how Moses felt about Korah's rebellion.
According to Ginzberg's retelling in Legends of the Jews, Moses took Korah's transgression deeply to heart, fearing that after so many sins by the Israelites, he might not be able to secure God's pardon for them. He didn’t want to rush into a decision. He urged the people to wait until the next day, hoping that with some time for calm reflection, Korah's group might realize the gravity of their sin, which he thought might have been fueled by too much drink.
"I can’t appear before the Lord right now," Moses told them. "Even though He doesn't eat or drink, He won't judge us fairly after we've been feasting and partying. But tomorrow," he promised, "the Lord will show who are His."
Think about the natural order, Moses urged. "Just as God has set clear boundaries between day and night, between light and darkness, so too has He separated Israel from other nations, and Aaron from the rest of Israel." It was a fundamental distinction. "If you can erase the line between light and darkness, then, and only then, can you remove the separation between Israel and the rest. Other nations have many religions, many priests, many temples. But we have one God, one Torah (law), one altar, and one High Priest."
And then, he turns directly to the 250 men who, he says, each secretly desires to become the High Priest. "I, too, would like to be High Priest if such a thing were possible!" he admits. To prove Aaron's claim to the priesthood, Moses laid out a test: "Take your censers, Korah, and all your company. Put fire in them, and offer incense before the Lord tomorrow." The offering of incense, he explained, is the most pleasing offering before the Lord, but for someone unauthorized, it's like a deadly poison, remembering the fate of Nadab and Abihu.
"I urge you," Moses pleaded, "don't burden your souls with a deadly sin. Only the man God chooses as High Priest will remain alive. All others will pay with their lives at the offering of incense."
Did these words deter them? Did they give pause? No. Far from restraining them, Moses's words only strengthened Korah's resolve. He was certain that God would choose him and no one else. He even had a premonition, a prophetic feeling, that he was destined to be the ancestor of prophets and Temple singers. That's why he thought he was especially favored by God.
It's a powerful reminder, isn't it? How conviction, even misguided conviction, can be such a powerful force. It makes you wonder: how do we know when we're truly following a divine calling, and when we're simply listening to the echo of our own desires? And how can we be so sure that we are right?