Tyndale Open Study NotesNumbers 20

Everyone in Miriam's generation also died (14:26–30). This included Moses and Aaron (20:2–13, 22–29).

The people of Israel complained again about not having water and food (compare 11:4–35; 21:4–5; Exodus 15:22–25). So, Moses and Aaron disobeyed the Lord. As a result, they lost the privilege of entering the promised land.

there was no water: Most of the year, Sinai and the Negev are very hot and dry.

our brothers: This shows that the Israelites saw themselves as connected to those who had died:

• Nadab and Abihu (Leviticus 10:1–5),

• those who died during the first plague after craving meat (Numbers 11:33),

• the skeptics who died in the wilderness (14:29),

• the ten unfaithful spies (14:36–37),

• Korah, Abiram, and Dathan (16:32),

• the 250 leaders (16:35), and

• the 14,700 people who died in the second plague (16:49).

They fell facedown: As in earlier conflicts, they lay down and waited for the Lord's glorious presence to resolve the crisis (14:5, 10; 16:4, 19, 22).

God heard Israel’s complaints and accepted them as valid. He did not ignore their concerns.

Then God told Moses to deal with the problem and provide a solution.

Moses placed the staff in front of the ark of the covenant to stop the Israelites from complaining (compare 17:10). The staff represented God's authority given to Moses and Aaron. God's instructions to his representatives are very precise and require exact obedience (compare James 3:1; also see 2 Timothy 2:24–26).

Instead of obeying God's instructions with respect, Moses criticized the people (Must we bring you water out of this rock?). Moses then hit the rock twice with his staff (20:11). God considered the words and actions of Moses as a serious lack of faith. Moses "spoke rashly" (Psalm 106:32–33; compare James 1:20). Moses did not trust God enough to show God’s holiness to the people.

God had told Moses exactly what to do. By acting differently, Moses showed a lack of faith that God would provide for his people. His angry words also revealed this lack of trust.

The Lord requires obedience and faith. Anything less dishonors his holy character (Numbers 20:24; 27:14). Such a serious lack of obedience and faith led to the same outcome as earlier (14:20–23; see also 1 Corinthians 10:4–12).

• Meribah means “Arguing” or “Quarreling.” As they had earlier at Rephidim(Exodus 17:1–7), the Israelites gave a name that described what happened there. The name pointed more to the event than to the place itself.

• At Meribah, God showed his holiness through judgment. He disciplined both Aaron and Moses for their sin.

The Israelites started their journey to the promised land here. They moved from Kadesh, leaving the Sinai peninsula. They entered the area east of the Jordan River, known as Transjordan. They approached the promised land from the east, taking a less direct route (see 14:25; compare Deuteronomy 2:2–6).

Israel tried to make peace with Edom, but they did not succeed. The two nations had not had contact since the time when Esau (also called Edom) and Jacob (also called Israel) buried their father Isaac(Genesis 35:29; 36:6–8; see also Genesis 32:28).

Moses sent a formal message to the king of Edom. His request followed the style of official letters used in that time. While Israel often fought with the Canaanites and other groups, they spoke politely to Edom because the two peoples were related (see also Deuteronomy 2:4; 23:7).

Even so, family ties were not strong enough to remove the old tension between Jacob and Esau (Genesis 27:41).

• We will not … drink water from any well: Edom was a very dry land. Food and water were limited, and there was not enough to support such a large group of Hebrew travelers.

• We will stay on the King’s Highway: This road is mentioned several times in the Old Testament, but its exact path is not fully known (also 21:22). It was an official road used for government business, trade, and the movement of armies.

  Along this road, travelers could find towns, food, and water between the Red Sea and Damascus. The road remained important during Roman times and even later. It was different from another route farther east called the Desert Highway, which was much harder and less welcoming for travelers.

You may not travel through our land: Just as their ancestor Esau did not trust Jacob, the Edomites now did not trust Jacob’s descendants (Genesis 27:36). Therefore, Israel had to turn around and find another way to approach Canaan (compare Deuteronomy 2:4–6).

• Israel did not take the shorter route through the southern area east of the Jordan River. That region was the main territory of Edom (20:21).

• After they left Kadesh, the Hebrews came to Mount Hor. This mountain stood on the border of Edom. The exact location of Mount Hor is not known today. However, the Jewish historian Josephus, who wrote between AD 70 and AD 100, connected it with the region of Petra. He identified it with Jebel Haroun, which means “mountain of Aaron.”

Aaron’s participation in the rebellion of his generation resulted in his death outside the promised land (20:10–12).

• Moses transferred priestly authority to Eleazar by giving him Aaron's priestly garments (compare Leviticus 8:7–9). After this, Aaron died at 123 years old, in the fortieth year after the Hebrews left Egypt (see Numbers 33:37–39).

• the entire house of Israel mourned for him thirty days: This was a great honor (see also Deuteronomy 34:8). The usual public mourning period was seven days (Genesis 50:10; 1 Samuel 31:13).