💎 [Numbers 20] What Does It Mean That God Displayed His Holiness? → Part ①

 

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📍 Main Summary of Numbers 20

1️⃣ Numbers 20 takes place in the fortieth year after the Exodus

The chapter begins with the words "in the first month." To understand the passage correctly, it is important to identify when this occurred. 💎

This was the time when the Israelites arrived at Kadesh in the Wilderness of Zin, where Miriam died and was buried.

It was also the period when Aaron died on Mount Hor.

🔎 Numbers 33:38 records that Aaron died on Mount Hor on the first day of the fifth month in the fortieth year after Israel left Egypt. Therefore, the events of Numbers 20 took place during the final year of the forty years of wandering in the wilderness that God had declared for Israel.

2️⃣ Comparing similar events that occurred in the Wilderness of Zin 💎

📍 The event forty years after the Exodus → a problem involving water

The Israelites quarreled with Moses and Aaron because there was no water and said:

"If only we had died when our brothers fell dead before the Lord! Why did you bring us up out of Egypt and bring us to this miserable place?" (vv. 3–5)

Later the text states:

"These were the waters of Meribah, where the Israelites quarreled with the Lord." (v. 13)

📍 The event shortly after the Exodus → a problem involving food

The Israelites complained because they had no food and argued with Moses and Aaron, saying:

"If only we had died by the Lord's hand in Egypt! There we sat around pots of meat and ate all the food we wanted." (Exodus 16:3)

📍 Before arriving at the Wilderness of Zin and shortly after leaving it, there were also incidents involving water

Forty years earlier, before arriving in the wilderness, there was the incident of the bitter waters, recorded near the account involving Miriam (Exodus 15).

Later, after leaving the region, the people quarreled again over water at Rephidim, and the place became known as Massah and Meribah (Exodus 17).

🙂 Forty years had passed, yet similar events continued to occur in the same region. It appears that the Israelites had learned very little from everything they had experienced.

Normally, when people return to a place connected with important memories, they naturally recall past events. However, the Israelites seemed to focus only on food and water without reflecting on the works God had already done for them. 💎

🙂 In addition, the fact that some still longed for Egypt suggests that there were still survivors among those who had been counted in the original census. 💎

3️⃣ The mistake of Moses and Aaron and the consequence they received

God commanded Moses to provide water for the people, and the problem was solved.

However, the Lord declared:

"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." (v. 12)

🔎 Looking for the reason behind their mistake

Moses said:

"Must we bring you water out of this rock?"

This statement seems to have failed to give full glory to God before the people.

In addition, Moses struck the rock twice with his staff.

Although we cannot say with certainty that this was the primary reason, the fact that Scripture specifically records that he struck the rock twice suggests that the detail is significant.

For example, when Elisha instructed King Joash to strike the ground with arrows, the number of strikes carried meaning and consequences.

✔️ Although God did not explain every detail, it is clear that Moses and Aaron acted in a way that was not appropriate before Him. As a result, they were told that they would not enter the Promised Land. (v. 24)

4️⃣ Edom's refusal

Moses sent messengers to the king of Edom asking for permission to pass through the land.

He began by saying:

"This is what your brother Israel says..."

Moses reminded Edom of all the hardships Israel had experienced and appealed to the family relationship between the two peoples.

However, Edom replied:

"You may not pass through here; if you try, I will come out against you with the sword."

Later, Deuteronomy 2:4–5 explains that the Edomites feared Israel. God also states that the land had been given to the descendants of Esau and that Israel was not to take even a small portion of it.

5️⃣ The death of Aaron (vv. 22–29)

God spoke directly to Aaron in the presence of Moses.

The time had come for Aaron to be gathered to his people.

Moses took Aaron and his son Eleazar up Mount Hor.

There, according to God's command, he removed Aaron's priestly garments and placed them on Eleazar.

Aaron died on the mountain, and the office of high priest passed to his son.

The entire nation of Israel mourned for Aaron for thirty days.

😀 1sim's Closing Thoughts

Whether forty years earlier or forty years later, the Israelites seemed unchanged.

They continued to distrust God and complain.

They continued to look back longingly toward Egypt.

All of this appears to suggest that some of those counted in the earlier census were still alive among the people.

➡️ Continued in: [Numbers 20] What Does It Mean That God Displayed His Holiness? → Part ②

🔗https://believeinthebible.blogspot.com/2026/06/numbers-20-what-does-it-mean-that-god_093136337.html

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