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Journey Through the Bible

Numbers 20 The Laws of Warfare and Cities of Refuge

1 Water From the Rock
In the first month the whole Israelite community arrived at the Desert of Zin, and they stayed at Kadesh. There Miriam died and was buried.

2 Now there was no water for the community, and the people gathered in opposition to Moses and Aaron.

3 They quarreled with Moses and said, “If only we had died when our brothers fell dead before the Lord!

4 Why did you bring the Lord’s community into this desert, that we and our livestock should die here?

5 Why did you bring us up out of Egypt to this terrible place? It has no grain or figs, grapevines or pomegranates. And there is no water to drink!”

6 Moses and Aaron went from the assembly to the entrance to the Tent of Meeting and fell facedown, and the glory of the Lord appeared to them.

7 The Lord said to Moses,

8 “Take the staff, and you and your brother Aaron gather the assembly together. Speak to that rock before their eyes and it will pour out its water. You will bring water out of the rock for the community so they and their livestock can drink.”

9 So Moses took the staff from the Lord’s presence, just as he commanded him.

10 He and Aaron gathered the assembly together in front of the rock and Moses said to them, “Listen, you rebels, must we bring you water out of this rock?”

11 Then Moses raised his arm and struck the rock twice with his staff. Water gushed out, and the community and their livestock drank.

12 But the Lord said to Moses and Aaron, “Because you did not trust in me enough to honor me as holy in the sight of the Israelites, you will not bring this community into the land I give them.”

13 These were the waters of Meribah, where the Israelites quarreled with the Lord and where he showed himself holy among them.

14 Edom Denies Israel Passage
Moses sent messengers from Kadesh to the king of Edom, saying:
“This is what your brother Israel says: You know about all the hardships that have come upon us.

15 Our forefathers went down into Egypt, and we lived there many years. The Egyptians mistreated us and our fathers,

16 but when we cried out to the Lord, he heard our cry and sent an angel and brought us out of Egypt.
“Now we are here at Kadesh, a town on the edge of your territory.

17 Please let us pass through your country. We will not go through any field or vineyard, or drink water from any well. We will travel along the king’s highway and not turn to the right or to the left until we have passed through your territory.”

18 But Edom answered:
“You may not pass through here; if you try, we will march out and attack you with the sword.”

19 The Israelites replied:
“We will go along the main road, and if we or our livestock drink any of your water, we will pay for it. We only want to pass through on foot—nothing else.”

20 Again they answered:
“You may not pass through.”
Then Edom came out against them with a large and powerful army.

21 Since Edom refused to let them go through their territory, Israel turned away from them.

22 The Death of Aaron
The whole Israelite community set out from Kadesh and came to Mount Hor.

23 At Mount Hor, near the border of Edom, the Lord said to Moses and Aaron,

24 “Aaron will be gathered to his people. He will not enter the land I give the Israelites, because both of you rebelled against my command at the waters of Meribah.

25 Get Aaron and his son Eleazar and take them up Mount Hor.

26 Remove Aaron’s garments and put them on his son Eleazar, for Aaron will be gathered to his people; he will die there.”

27 Moses did as the Lord commanded: They went up Mount Hor in the sight of the whole community.

28 Moses removed Aaron’s garments and put them on his son Eleazar. And Aaron died there on top of the mountain. Then Moses and Eleazar came down from the mountain,

29 and when the whole community learned that Aaron had died, the entire house of Israel mourned for him thirty days.

Analysis of Numbers Chapter 20

Numbers Chapter 20 is a significant yet somber chapter within the Book of Numbers, replete with themes of leadership, disobedience, and divine judgment. Rich in narrative, it reflects the struggles and tribulations faced by the Israelites during their desert journey and provides profound lessons on faith, obedience, and leadership.

Verses 1-5: The Death of Miriam and the Congregation’s Complaint

The chapter opens with a stark announcement of Miriam’s death: “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” (Numbers 20:1). Miriam’s death marks an end of an era; she was a prominent figure, one of the few women recognized as a prophetess, and a key leader during the Exodus.

Following Miriam’s death, verses 2-5 depict a familiar scenario where the Israelites confront a crisis due to the lack of water. Their reaction encapsulates recurring themes: complaint and dissatisfaction directed towards Moses and Aaron. The people state, “Would God that we had died when our brethren died before the LORD!” (Numbers 20:3), echoing their persistent yearning for a return to Egypt whenever faced with adversity. This section highlights human tendencies to lose faith and fall into despair during hardships, a recurring motif throughout their wilderness experience.

Verses 6-8: The Divine Instruction

Moses and Aaron seek divine counsel, manifesting their leadership reliance on God: “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” (Numbers 20:6). Their immediate response to seek divine guidance illustrates their roles as mediators between God and the people.

God’s instructions are explicit: “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” (Numbers 20:8). This command underscores principles of faith and obedience. God commands Moses to speak to the rock, contrasting with an earlier episode in Exodus 17, where Moses was to strike the rock.

Verses 9-11: Moses’ Disobedience

Moses takes the rod as instructed but deviates from God’s specific command. Instead of speaking to the rock, he strikes it twice with his rod: “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” (Numbers 20:11). This action is pivotal—it represents a significant lapse in Moses’ faith and obedience. Despite the water flowing, Moses’ disobedience holds profound implications.

The act of striking the rock can be viewed symbolically. Moses and Aaron’s statement, “Hear now, ye rebels; must we fetch you water out of this rock?” (Numbers 20:10), accompanied by the striking, suggests a moment where human frustration overshadowed divine command. It highlights the potential human tendency to rely on past methods and personal strength rather than strict adherence to divine instruction. The scene suggests a breach in the holiness expected of leaders.

Verses 12-13: Consequence and Meribah

The ensuing divine response is severe: “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” (Numbers 20:12). The consequence is a poignant reminder of the high standards God sets for His chosen leaders. The term “Meribah” is given to this place, meaning “quarreling,” commemorating the contentious nature of the event.

This segment brings forth multiple layers:

  • Faith and Sanctity: Moses and Aaron’s failure to fully trust and honor God’s methods signifies a lapse in faith, detracting from God’s sanctity before the people.
  • Leadership Accountability: It underscores the immense responsibility of leaders in guiding and representing divine will, with deviations eliciting substantial repercussions.

Verses 14-21: The Edomite Refusal

The subsequent narrative shifts focus to diplomatic efforts with Edom. Moses sends messengers seeking passage through Edomite territory, reminding the Edomites of the shared lineage and recounting their hardships in Egypt and the wilderness journey (Numbers 20:14-17). However, the Edomites, despite the plea, respond resolutely: “Thou shalt not pass by me, lest I come out against thee with the sword” (Numbers 20:18).

This interaction symbolizes tested brotherhood and broken kinship; the historical descent from Esau (Edom) and Jacob (Israel) underscores the familial rejection Israel faces. It also illustrates practical obstacles in the Israelites’ journey, presenting a harsh reminder of the enmity and isolation they endure.

Verses 22-29: The Death of Aaron

In a solemn conclusion to the chapter, the death of Aaron is narrated. God commands Moses to take Aaron and his son Eleazar up Mount Hor and divest Aaron of his garments, passing them onto Eleazar as a transfer of the high priesthood (Numbers 20:25-28). Aaron’s death is witnessed by the people, and they mourn him for thirty days: “And when all the congregation saw that Aaron was dead, they mourned for Aaron thirty days, even all the house of Israel” (Numbers 20:29).

This moment encapsulates several themes:

  • Transition and Continuity: The transfer of the priestly garments to Eleazar underscores the continuity of priestly duties and divine service.
  • Mortality and Legacy: Aaron’s death serves as a poignant reminder of human mortality; even divinely chosen leaders are subject to death.
  • Communal Grief: The entire community’s mourning signifies Aaron’s integral role and the profound impact of his leadership.

Concluding Reflections

Numbers Chapter 20 is a poignant narrative examining the complexities of spiritual leadership, the gravity of obedience, and the communal dynamics of faith. Through the deaths of Miriam and Aaron, and Moses’ consequential act, it weaves a sorrowful yet instructive tapestry illustrating the profound human struggles within divine purposes. Key reflections from the chapter include:

  • Leadership and Accountability: The chapter underscores the immense responsibility leaders bear in faithfully adhering to divine commands. Moses’ deviation, even with seemingly minor changes, results in significant consequences, emphasizing holiness and accountability.
  • Human Frailty: It showcases the vulnerabilities and frailties of even the greatest leaders. Moses and Aaron’s moment of disobedience mirrors the universal human struggle against self-reliance over divine reliance.
  • Faith under Trial: The recurring complaints and doubts from the Israelites reflect broader themes of faith under trial, illustrating a collective journey in learning trust and dependence on God.
  • Mourning and Transition: The chapter’s conclusion with Aaron’s death and the subsequent mourning encapsulates the process of transition and continuity in divine service, acknowledging the impact and memories of those who served faithfully.

Numbers Chapter 20 thus provides a rich narrative interweaving leadership, obedience, and divine judgment, offering timeless lessons on faith, the human condition, and the solemn responsibilities borne by those called to lead.

Understanding the Key Messages in Numbers 20: Insights and Explanation

In Numbers 20, God gives the Israelites laws for warfare and designates cities of refuge for those who commit unintentional manslaughter. Moses appoints leaders to execute these laws. Two and a half tribes choose to settle on the eastern side of the Jordan, and Moses grants their request. The chapter concludes with a list of Israel's journey through the wilderness.

Notes

This chapter provides insight into laws surrounding warfare and the establishment of cities of refuge. It also illustrates the fulfillment of God's promises to the Israelites.