Numbers 20
Dear RTB’ers,
Although not explicitly stated in the text, it seems that some 38 or so years have passed in the time between chapters 19 and 20. Miriam dies in the first verse; Aaron dies in the last paragraph (a precursor to Moses’ own death); and Edom refuses passage to Israel as they attempt to go around the Dead Sea and cross the Jordan River into the Promised Land. So almost all of the men who agreed with the ten unfaithful spies have now died. Their sons, however, still have their fathers’ grumbling ways, and we have the story of their grumbling at the waters of Meribah.
The people grumble that they have no water, God tells Moses to speak to the rock, Moses instead strikes the rock (twice), and his disobedience leads to God’s judgment upon him that neither he nor Aaron will enter the Promised Land. Does that seem like a harsh punishment to you? After all, some 38 years earlier Moses was told to strike the rock at Horeb (Massah) and when he did water flowed out.(Exodus 17:2-7)
If that punishment seems harsh to you, consider that Moses disobeyed a direct command from God, and God did not immediately strike him dead as He had done with so many others. Instead we will read later that God allowed Moses to view the Promised Land even though he was not allowed entry into it. Harsh judgment? Maybe. But God is God and I am not. Thankfully, through Jesus, He forgives our sins instead of striking us dead and has given us a promise of an eternal Promised Land. God is God and I am not. Thank you, Lord!
Blessings!
See also: February 14 (2023) / Numbers 17-20