Day 220 - Numbers 20, Verses 1-13

 •  2 min. read  •  grade level: 7
Listen from:
To refresh your memory of what is happening to Israel. They had refused to believe that God was able to give them the promised land, so God had sent them out into the wilderness until every man over 20 years (at that time) has died.
V.1 You remember that when they had been brought through the Red Sea, Miriam, Moses’ and Aaron’s sister, had sung a joyful song (Ex. 15:20-21). Now she dies — the remembrance of Israel’s first joy passes into sorrow. Isn’t that just like us? The early joy of salvation, soon passes away, when we are disobedient to God. See Numbers 13:17, but particularly verse 26 for what had happened 38 years before. Now they are back to Kadesh!
V.2-5 Israel not only forgot their earlier joy, but forgot the power of a loving God which was able to care for their every need. Read this bitter attack on Moses and Aaron.
V.6 Once again Moses and Aaron control themselves, go quietly from the complaining people to a compassionate LORD! The right Person and the right place.
V.7-9 “The rod” is Aaron’s. Aaron’s rod is a picture of grace, the rod of Moses is a picture of power. Moses is told to speak to the rock. The rock had been struck once (Ex. 17). This is a picture of the cross of Christ — read Heb. 10:12 “one offering;” also Psa. 78:15. Speaking to it, introduces to us the power of the Holy Spirit Who sustains us over and over again, during “our wilderness journey” here on earth today. Just speaking, not smiting.
V.10-11 Moses makes serious mistakes. (1) Uses his own rod, and (2) smites the rock twice. The Lord is gracious! The water flows out, BUT  ...
V.12 Moses is told the consequences of his acts — he will not lead God’s people into the land! Although believers often are disobedient to the Word of God, the Lord graciously has mercy, but He cannot, and will not reward disobedience. We today don’t look for approval for our acts by results we can see, but we get the assurance of our approval from the Word of God.