201 Then the sons of Israel , the whole congregation , came to the wilderness of Zin in the first month ; and the people stayed at Kadesh . Now Miriam died there and was buried there . 2 There was no water for the congregation , and they assembled themselves against Moses and Aaron . 3 The people thus contended with Moses and spoke , saying , " If only we had perished when our brothers perished before the Lord ! 4 " Why then have you brought the Lord'S assembly into this wilderness , for us and our beasts to die here ? 5 "Why have you made us come up from Egypt , to bring us in to this wretched place ? It is not a place of grain or figs or vines or pomegranates , nor is there water to drink ." 6 Then Moses and Aaron came in from the presence of the assembly to the doorway of the tent of meeting and fell on their faces . Then the glory of the Lord appeared to them; 7 and the Lord spoke to Moses , saying , 8 "Take the rod ; and you and your brother Aaron assemble the congregation and speak to the rock before their eyes , that it may yield its water . You shall thus bring forth water for them out of the rock and let the congregation and their beasts drink ." 9 So Moses took the rod from before e the Lord , just as He had commanded him; 10 and Moses and Aaron gathered the assembly before e the rock . And he said to them, " Listen now , you rebels ; shall we bring forth water for you out of this rock ?" 11 Then Moses lifted up his hand and struck the rock twice with his rod ; and water came forth abundantly , and the congregation and their beasts drank . 12 But the Lord said to Moses and Aaron , " Because you have not believed Me, to treat Me as holy in the sight of the sons of Israel , therefore you shall not bring this assembly into the land which I have given them." 13 Those were the waters of Meribah , because the sons of Israel contended with the Lord , and He proved Himself holy among them.
14 From Kadesh Moses then sent messengers to the king of Edom : "Thus your brother Israel has said , 'You know all the hardship that has befallen us; 15 that our fathers went down to Egypt , and we stayed in Egypt a long time , and the Egyptians treated us and our fathers badly . 16 'But when we cried out to the Lord , He heard our voice and sent an angel and brought us out from Egypt ; now behold , we are at Kadesh , a town on the edge of your territory . 17 'Please let us pass through your land . We will not pass through field or through vineyard ; we will not even drink water from a well . We will go along the king's highway , not turning to the right or left , until e we pass through your territory .' " 18 Edom , however, said to him, "You shall not pass through us, or I will come out with the sword against you." 19 Again, the sons of Israel said to him, "We will go up by the highway , and if I and my livestock do drink any of your water , then I will pay its price . Let me only pass through on my feet , nothing e else." 20 But he said , " You shall not pass through ." And Edom came out against him with a heavy force and with a strong hand . 21 Thus Edom refused to allow Israel to pass through his territory ; so Israel turned away from him.
22 Now when they set out from Kadesh , the sons of Israel , the whole congregation , came to Mount Hor . 23 Then the Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron at Mount Hor by the border of the land of Edom , saying , 24 "Aaron will be gathered to his people ; for he shall not enter the land which I have given to the sons of Israel , because e you rebelled against My command at the waters of Meribah .
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Numbers 20:1-24
Commentary on Numbers 20:1-13
(Read Numbers 20:1-13)
After thirty-eight years' tedious abode in the wilderness, the armies of Israel advanced towards Canaan again. There was no water for the congregation. We live in a wanting world, and wherever we are, must expect to meet with something to put us out. It is a great mercy to have plenty of water, a mercy which, if we found the want of, we should more own the worth of. Hereupon they murmured against Moses and Aaron. They spake the same absurd and brutish language their fathers had done. It made their crime the worse, that they had smarted so long for the discontent and distrusts of their fathers, yet they venture in the same steps. Moses must again, in God's name, command water out of a rock for them; God is as able as ever to supply his people with what is needful for them. But Moses and Aaron acted wrong. They took much of the glory of this work of wonder to themselves; "Must we fetch water?" As if it were done by some power or worthiness of their own. They were to speak to the rock, but they smote it. Therefore it is charged upon them, that they did not sanctify God, that is, they did not give to him alone that glory of this miracle which was due unto his name. And being provoked by the people, Moses spake unadvisedly with his lips. The same pride of man would still usurp the office of the appointed Mediator; and become to ourselves wisdom, righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption. Such a state of sinful independence, such a rebellion of the soul against its Saviour, the voice of God condemns in every page of the gospel.
Commentary on Numbers 20:14-21
(Read Numbers 20:14-21)
The nearest way to Canaan from the place where Israel encamped, was through the country of Edom. The ambassadors who were sent returned with a denial. The Edomites feared to receive damage by the Israelites. And had this numerous army been under any other discipline than that of the righteous God himself, there might have been cause for this jealousy. But Esau hated Jacob because of the blessing; and now the hatred revived, when the blessing was about to be inherited. We must not think it strange, if reasonable requests be denied by unreasonable men, and if those whom God favours be affronted by men.
Commentary on Numbers 20:22-29
(Read Numbers 20:22-29)
God bids Aaron prepare to die. There is something of displeasure in these orders. Aaron must not enter Canaan, because he had failed in his duty at the waters of strife. There is much of mercy in them. Aaron, though he dies for his transgression, dies with ease, and in honour. He is gathered to his people, as one who dies in the arms of Divine grace. There is much significancy in these orders. Aaron must not enter Canaan, to show that the Levitical priesthood could make nothing perfect; that must be done by bringing in a better hope. Aaron submits, and dies in the method and manner appointed; and, for aught that appears, with as much cheerfulness as if he had been going to bed. It was a great satisfaction to Aaron to see his son, who was dear to him, preferred; and his office preserved and secured: especially, to see in this a figure of Christ's everlasting priesthood. A good man would desire, if it were the will of God, not to outlive his usefulness. Why should we covet to continue any longer in this world, than while we may do some service in it for God and our generation?