20:3-5After 37 years in the wilderness, the Israelites forgot that their wanderings were a result of their parents’ and their own sin. They could not accept the fact that they brought their problems upon themselves, so they blamed Moses for their condition. Often our troubles result from our own disobedience or lack of faith. We cannot blame God for our sins. Until we face this reality, we will have little peace and no spiritual growth.
Life Application Study BibleNumbersChapter 20
Numbers 20
New Living Translation · Life Application Study Bible · Original pages: 233, 234, 235
A few verse numbers on this page were hard to read in the scan and are marked with a dotted underline — compare with the original page image if in doubt.
20Numbers 20
Moses Strikes the Rock
12 In the first month of the year,* the whole community of Israel arrived in the wilderness of Zin and camped at Kadesh. While they were there, Miriam died and was buried. 2There was no water for the people to drink at that place, so they rebelled against Moses and Aaron. 3The people blamed Moses and said, “If only we had died in the LORD’s presence with our brothers! 4Why have you brought the congregation of the LORD’s people into this wilderness to die, along with all our livestock? 5Why did you make us leave Egypt and bring us here to this terrible place? This land has no grain, no figs, no grapes, no pomegranates, and no water to drink!” 6Moses and Aaron turned away from the people and went to the entrance of the Tabernacle,* where they fell face down on the ground. Then the glorious presence of the LORD appeared to them, 7and the LORD said to Moses, 8“ You and Aaron must take the staff and assemble the entire community. As the people watch, speak to the rock over there, and it will pour out its water. You will provide enough water from the rock to satisfy the whole community and their livestock.” 950 Moses did as he was told. He took the staff from the place where it was kept before the Lor. 10Then he and Aaron summoned the people to come and gather at the rock. “Listen, you rebels!” he shouted. “Must we bring you water from this rock?” 11Then Moses raised his hand and struck the rock twice with the staff, and water gushed out. So the entire community and their livestock drank their fill. ‘ 12But the LORD said to Moses and Aaron, “Because you did not trust me enough to demonstrate my holiness to the people of Israel, you will not lead them into the land I am giving them!” 13This place was known as the waters of Meribah (which means “arguing”) because there the people of Israel argued with the LORD, and there he demonstrated his holiness among them.
Edom Refuses Israel Passage
1414While Moseswas at Kadesh, he sent ambassadors to the king of Edom with this message: “This is what your relatives, the people of Israel, say: You know all the hardships we have been through. 1SOur ancestors went down to Egypt, and we lived there a long time, and we and our ancestors were brutally mistreated by the Egyptians. ‘But when we cried out to the LORD, he heard us and sent an angel who brought us out of Egypt. Now we are camped at Kadesh, a town on the border of your land. 17Please let us travel through your land. We will be careful not to go through your fields and vineyards. We won't even drink water from your wells. We will stay on the king’s road and never leave it until we have passed through your territory.” 18But the king of Edom said, “Stay out of my land, or I will meet you with an army!” 19The Israelites answered, “We will stay on the main road. If our livestock drink your water, we will pay for it. Just let us pass through your country. That's all we ask.” 20But the king of Edom replied, “Stay out! You may not pass through our land.” With that he mobilized his army and marched out against them with an imposing force. 21Because Edom refused to allow Israel to pass through their country, Israel was forced to turn around.
The Death of Aaron
2222 The whole community of Israel left Kadesh and arrived at Mount Hor. 23There, on the border of the land of Edom, the Lor said to Moses and Aaron,
24“The time has come forAaron to join his ancestors in death. He will not enter the land I am giving the people ofand wells. The Edomites refused, however, because they did nottrust Israel’s word. They were afraid that this great horde of peoplewould either attack them or devour their crops (Deuteronomy2:4, 5). Because brothers should not fight, God told the Israelitesto turn back and travel by a different route to the Promised Land.
Israel, because the two of you rebelled against my instructions concerning the water at Meribah. 25Now take Aaron and his son Eleazar up Mount Hor. 26There you will remove Aaron's priestly garments and put them on Eleazar, his son. Aaron will die there and join his ancestors.” 27So Moses did as the LORD commanded. The three of them went up Mount Hor together as the whole community watched. 28At the summit, Moses removed the priestly garments from Aaron and put them on Eleazar, Aaron’s son. Then Aaron died there on top of the mountain, and Moses and Eleazar went back down. 29When the people realized that Aaron had died, all Israel mourned for him thirty days.
Textual footnotes
- The number of years since leaving Egypt is not specified.
- this time it was used as a major public road.
- king. When nothing worked, he was left with two choices—force
- a conflict or avoid it. Moses knew there would be enough barriers
- in the days and months ahead. There was no point in adding
- another one unnecessarily. Sometimes conflict is unavoidable.
- Sometimes, however, it isn’t worth the consequences. Open wal-
- fare may seem heroic, courageous, and even righteous, but it is
- not always the best choice. At times, we should follow Moses’
- example and find another way to solve our problems, even if it
- is harder for us to do.
- 20:1 The first month of the ancient Hebrew lunar calendar usually occurs within the months of March and April.
- 20:6 Hebrew the Tent of Meeting.
- 20:17 The king’s road was an old caravan route. Long before
- 20:21 Moses tried to negotiate and reason with the Edomite
Life Application Notes 4 notes
20:12The LORD had told Moses to speak to the rock; however, Moses struck it, not once, but twice. God did the miracle; yet Moses was taking credit for it when he said, “Must we bring you water from this rock?” (20:10). For this he was forbidden to enter the Promised Land. Was God’s punishment of Moses too harsh? After all, the people had nagged him, slandered him, and rebelled against both him and God. Now they were at it again (20:5). But Moses was the leader and model for the entire nation. Because of this great responsibility to the people, he could not be let off lightly. By striking the rock, Moses disobeyed God's direct command and dishonored God in the presence of his people.
20:14Two brothers became the ancestors of two nations. The Edomites. descended from Esau, the Israelites from Jacob. Thus, the Edomites were “relatives” to the Israelites. Israel sent a brotherly message to Edom requesting passage through their land on the main road, a well-traveled trade route. Israel promised to stay on the road, thus harmlessly bypassing Edom’s fields, vineyards,
20:28Aaron died just before entering the Promised Land, probably as punishment for his sin of rebellion (Exodus 32; Numbers 12:1-9). This was the first time that a new high priest was appointed. The priestly clothing was removed from Aaron and placed on his son Eleazar, following the commands recorded in the book of Leviticus.
Charts, profiles & sidebars from the printed pages
Study feature · page 234
🗺 This feature includes a map, chart or picture — view the original page image.
Study feature · page 235
Mediterranean Sea ey Se » Red Sea
» EVENTS IN THE WILDERNESS Israel next met resistance from the INQ of Arad but soundly defeated him. The next stop was Mount Hor (where Aaron had died); then they traveled south and east found Edom. After camping at Oboth, they moved toward the “Mon River and onto the plains of Moab near Pisgah Peak.
🗺 This feature includes a map, chart or picture — view the original page image.