1 Then came the children of Israel, [even] the whole congregation, into the desert of Zin in the first month: and the people abode in Kadesh; and Miriam died there, and was buried there.
2 And there was no water for the congregation: and they gathered themselves together against Moses and against Aaron.
3 And the people chode with Moses, and spake, saying, Would God that we had died when our brethren died before the LORD!
4 And why have ye brought up the congregation of the LORD into this wilderness, that we and our cattle should die there?
5 And wherefore have ye made us to come up out of Egypt, to bring us in unto this evil place? it [is] no place of seed, or of figs, or of vines, or of pomegranates; neither [is] there any water to drink.
6 And Moses and Aaron went from the presence of the assembly unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, and they fell upon their faces: and the glory of the LORD appeared unto them.
7 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
8 Take the rod, and gather thou the assembly together, thou, and Aaron thy brother, and speak ye unto the rock before their eyes; and it shall give forth his water, and thou shalt bring forth to them water out of the rock: so thou shalt give the congregation and their beasts drink.
9 And Moses took the rod from before the LORD, as he commanded him.
10 And Moses and Aaron gathered the congregation together before the rock, and he said unto them, Hear now, ye rebels; must we fetch you water out of this rock?
11 And Moses lifted up his hand, and with his rod he smote the rock twice: and the water came out abundantly, and the congregation drank, and their beasts [also].
12 And the LORD spake unto Moses and Aaron, Because ye believed me not, to sanctify me in the eyes of the children of Israel, therefore ye shall not bring this congregation into the land which I have given them.
13 This [is] the water of Meribah; because the children of Israel strove with the LORD, and he was sanctified in them.
14 And Moses sent messengers from Kadesh unto the king of Edom, Thus saith thy brother Israel, Thou knowest all the travail that hath befallen us:
15 How our fathers went down into Egypt, and we have dwelt in Egypt a long time; and the Egyptians vexed us, and our fathers:
16 And when we cried unto the LORD, he heard our voice, and sent an angel, and hath brought us forth out of Egypt: and, behold, we [are] in Kadesh, a city in the uttermost of thy border:
17 Let us pass, I pray thee, through thy country: we will not pass through the fields, or through the vineyards, neither will we drink [of] the water of the wells: we will go by the king’s [high] way, we will not turn to the right hand nor to the left, until we have passed thy borders.
18 And Edom said unto him, Thou shalt not pass by me, lest I come out against thee with the sword.
19 And the children of Israel said unto him, We will go by the high way: and if I and my cattle drink of thy water, then I will pay for it: I will only, without [doing] any thing [else], go through on my feet.
20 And he said, Thou shalt not go through. And Edom came out against him with much people, and with a strong hand.
21 Thus Edom refused to give Israel passage through his border: wherefore Israel turned away from him.
22 And the children of Israel, [even] the whole congregation, journeyed from Kadesh, and came unto mount Hor.
23 And the LORD spake unto Moses and Aaron in mount Hor, by the coast of the land of Edom, saying,
24 Aaron shall be gathered unto his people: for he shall not enter into the land which I have given unto the children of Israel, because ye rebelled against my word at the water of Meribah.
25 Take Aaron and Eleazar his son, and bring them up unto mount Hor:
26 And strip Aaron of his garments, and put them upon Eleazar his son: and Aaron shall be gathered [unto his people], and shall die there.
27 And Moses did as the LORD commanded: and they went up into mount Hor in the sight of all the congregation.
28 And Moses stripped Aaron of his garments, and put them upon Eleazar his son; and Aaron died there in the top of the mount: and Moses and Eleazar came down from the mount.
29 And when all the congregation saw that Aaron was dead, they mourned for Aaron thirty days, [even] all the house of Israel.
Summary of Numbers Chapter 20
Numbers Chapter 20 narrates significant events in the life of the Israelites during their wilderness journey, focusing on the themes of leadership, disobedience, and the consequences of sin. This chapter highlights the death of Miriam, the people’s complaints about water, Moses and Aaron’s failure to uphold God’s holiness, and the subsequent consequences for Moses and Aaron.
Key Events
- The Death of Miriam:
The chapter begins with the death of Miriam, Moses’ sister, in the Desert of Zin, leading to the mourning of the Israelites.
- The People’s Complaint for Water:
With no water available, the Israelites gather against Moses and Aaron, expressing their frustrations and longing for Egypt.
- God’s Instruction:
God instructs Moses to take his staff and speak to a rock to bring forth water.
- Moses Strikes the Rock:
In anger, Moses strikes the rock twice instead of speaking to it, resulting in water gushing out.
- Consequences for Moses and Aaron:
Due to their failure to trust in God and sanctify Him before the Israelites, God declares that Moses and Aaron will not enter the Promised Land.
- The Edomites’ Refusal:
Moses requests passage through Edom, but the Edomites refuse, forcing the Israelites to take a longer route.
Thematic Analysis
- Leadership and Responsibility:
Moses and Aaron, as leaders, are held to a higher standard. Their actions reflect the importance of obedience to God’s commands, especially in the presence of the people.
- Consequences of Disobedience:
The chapter illustrates the serious repercussions of disobedience to God. Despite Moses’ past faithfulness, his failure to honor God leads to the denial of entry into the Promised Land.
- Human Frustration and Divine Provision:
The Israelites’ complaints reveal human tendencies to grumble in times of hardship. However, God’s provision of water from the rock underscores His faithfulness, even in the face of doubt.
- The Importance of Sanctifying God:
Moses and Aaron’s failure to sanctify God before the people emphasizes the need for leaders to reflect God’s holiness in their actions and decisions.
Character Analysis
- Moses:
Moses is depicted as a frustrated leader overwhelmed by the people’s complaints. His action of striking the rock reflects a moment of weakness and anger, contrasting with his previous reliance on God.
- Aaron:
Aaron stands alongside Moses, sharing in the consequences of their actions. His role highlights the collective responsibility of leadership.
- The Israelites:
The people exhibit a lack of faith and gratitude, focusing on their immediate needs rather than remembering God’s past provisions. Their complaints serve as a lesson on the dangers of ingratitude.
Conclusion
Numbers Chapter 20 serves as a poignant reminder of the complexities of leadership, the importance of obedience to God, and the consequences of failing to uphold His holiness. The events in this chapter not only shape the trajectory of the Israelites’ journey but also provide timeless lessons about faith, responsibility, and the nature of divine provision.
