Numbers 20:1
The narrative picks back up in chapter 20 and the children of Israel are at the end of their 40 years in the wilderness. The old generation had died away and the generation that will enter the land is rising to prominence. A transition of power will begin as the final folks die away.
The wilderness of Zin is thought to be at the southeastern border of the Promised Land. This is the first month of the 40th year. Kadesh was the camp of this 40th year. Miriam, Moses’ sister who had rebelled and experienced leprosy, died at Kadesh during this first month.
Numbers 20:2-13
This event sounds very similar to Exodus 17 when the children of Israel complained about not having water. The beginning language is very similar. Moses used the rod with which he struck the waters (Red Sea parting) and strike the rock. The Lord promised to stand before them at the rock of Horeb. Moses did as the Lord commanded.
This takes place with the next generation, displaying that the forty years of wandering had not changed much. The next generation brought the same complaint in the same manor.
It is interesting they call this an ‘evil place’. What was it that made it particularly evil? It wasn’t what they expected or desired. Maybe they assumed the Promised Land would be like the wilderness. They apparently could not see the promise from there.
Moses and Aaron fells on their faces before the Lord and He appeared before them. The Lord did not scold the people, their need was very real. He simply gave Moses direction for the remedy. Moses was to take the rod, a reference to the budding rod of Aaron, a reminder of God indicating His chosen leadership. Then, he was speak to the rock. The rod was a visual to accompany the speaking to the rock.
Moses took the rod, gathered the assembly and called them rebels and scolded them for their desire for water. Moses struck the rock twice. Water came from the rock and the congregation was provided for.
The informed Moses and Aaron that they had failed to obey in this important matter. They would not lead the children to the Promised Land.
- They didn’t believe Him.
- They did not hallow Him.
Meribah means ‘quarrelling’. The waters of Exodus 17 were also called Meribah. This appears to be the Meribah of the next generation.
Numbers 20:14-21
Moses sent messengers to the king of Edom. This would be the chieftain of the Edomites, descended from Esau – the son of Jacob. Bring up Jacob the deceiver and how he deceived Esau may not have been a good plan. See Genesis 25 to remember the beginning of the story of Jacob and Esau. The messengers recount the trials they’d been through for 400 years and asked the this ‘brother’ to let them pass with the promise they would not consume the land or interfere at all. After Edom’s first rejection the messengers promised to stay on the Highway. This is the King’s Highway – a major north south road through the Transjordan. This would ensure they kept their distance from crops and vineyards. But again, Edom refused passage with the threat of war against them. Their army came out against them to show their force and turned the Israelites back.
This essentially blocked the passage to the east.
- Numbers 24:18 says in Balaam’s fourth prophecy that Edom would be conquered.
- Deut 23:7-8 tells Israel not to abhor Edom because he was their brother.
- Judges 11:17-18 when Jephthah tells of this time, he said that Israel went around Edom along the wilderness, bypassing the land.
The Lord did not punish Edom for this decision.
Numbers 20:22-29
Numbers 33 reports that Aaron died on the first day of the fifth month in the 40th year of wilderness wandering. It reports a different location of the death. This may be due to confusion of the geography of the area. It was apparently after leaving Kadesh as they came to Mount Hor (Deut 10:6 reports death at Moseroth). The traditional location is near Petra.
The Lord directs Moses and Aaron to bring Eleazar up the mount. Aaron would be stripped of priestly garments and they would be put on his son, Eleazar. He would be the new High Priest upon the death of Aaron.
The Lord would not allow Aaron to enter the land due to his part in the rebellion at the waters of Meribah (Num 20:1-13).
The period of mourning was normally seven days. Because of the prominence and importance to the people, Aaron was mourned thirty days. Moses would be mourned for thirty days also.
© 2023 Doug Ford, Calvary Chapel Sweetwater
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