Water from The Rock Numbers 20
IN the last year of the journey of the camp of Israel, they came again near Kadesh, and could find no water. All about them were great bare rocks. Once before they had been in such a place in Horeb near Sinai and God told Moses to strike the rock with his rod and He made the water to flow in streams (Exo. 17). But the people seem to have forgotten that great sight and God’s power, and spoke very bitterly to Moses.
God said He would again cause water to flow out from a rock. This time He told Moses and Aaron to take Aaron’s rod and call the people together, and speak to the rock for the water to come.
Always before, Moses had done just as God said, and had been very kind to the people; now he felt angry that they complained so much, and he spoke crossly to them; and, instead of speaking to the rock, he struck it twice, so did not obey or honor God. Yet the water flowed down in plenty for the people and their many animals.
The people could have gone directly onto Canaan from Kadesh by a highway along the land of Edom. The people there were of the family of Esau, Jacob’s brother, so were relatives of the Israelites (Genesis 32:33And Jacob sent messengers before him to Esau his brother unto the land of Seir, the country of Edom. (Genesis 32:3)). Moses sent to ask the king to let them pass. Read his message in our chapter (verses 14-22). He told them it was the Lord who had brought them from Egypt, but these people did not honor God, and refused to let them pass. So they had to turn south and go around a much farther and harder way.
When they reached Mt. Hor, Aaron died. His son, Eleazer, was given his beautiful robe and the charge of the Tent of God.
Find the age of Aaron (Numbers 33:89).
ML 10/17/1937