Christ in all the scriptures
The rigours of wilderness life Numbers 20
The chronology, stated in Numbers 33v38-39, places this chapter at the fortieth year after leaving Egypt. Very little is revealed of the years after leaving Sinai, mercifully, for it was a story of failure and contention. In Numbers 33 we learn that, from Sinai, they moved to different locations many times, but the Spirit of God is silent on that forgettable part of their history. There is a tinge of sadness throughout the chapter, which begins and ends with the death of prominent people, and traces the ongoing dissatisfaction of the people, and the uncharacteristic disobedience of Moses. Before they reached the promised land, they experienced suffering on many levels. This is the lot of God's people on the way to glory, the suffering before glory. We should take in the lessons that are here. The failures of men (and that includes those of our generation) only enhance the perfections of Christ.
The death of Miriam 20v1.
By any standards Miriam was a "mother in Israel". Her part in the preservation of the baby Moses, and subsequent upbringing at a perilous time (Exodus 2v1-10), marks her out as a devoted sister, and courageous woman. She was a prophetess, known by all, and led the worship of the women after the crossing at the Red Sea (Exodus 15v20-21). Sadly, she challenged the authority of Moses at a time of rebellion (Numbers 12). She reverted to type for her name means "rebellion", and she questioned the judgment of the Lord in appointing Moses as leader. She was sanctioned and healed, but remained anonymous until the time of her death.
The dissent of Israel 20v2-6
How long will the dissatisfaction go on? How many times have we been here? Murmuring against Moses and Aaron, and the Lord who has fed and watered them for 40 years! It has been well said that the book of Numbers reveals the patience of God with His people. The five books of the Pentateuch reveal the character of God: Genesis His Sovereignty; Exodus His Power; Leviticus His Holiness; Numbers His Patience; Deuteronomy His love. Acts 13v18 sums it up perfectly, "The God of this people Israel chose our fathers, and exalted the people, when they dwelt as strangers in the land of Egypt, and with a high arm brought He them out of it. And about the time of forty years suffered He their manners in the wilderness". Scripture waxes eloquent concerning the longsuffering and forbearance of God. He is patient and loving and understanding of the frailty of mankind. Time and again they murmured against Him, yet He gave them their requests even in the face of rebellion. Paul says that "the goodness of God leads to repentance" (Romans 3v40), but Israel, at large never seemed to get there. As Moses and Aaron fell on their faces to plead for God's mercy, the glory of the Lord appeared to them (Numbers 20v6). His glory is His goodness in the face of insults...refer Exodus 33v18-19.
The disobedience of Moses and Aaron 20v7-13
The Lord instructed them to produce water from the rock to satisfy the people. We should note that not only did He tell them what to do but how to do it! God's work must be done God's way, for His way is perfect. The modern world, take note, God expects us to do His bidding in His way! The consequences for failure were severe. The oft-repeated call, "We have our own way of doing things here", to justify a contrary approach to problems other than indicated in the word, is unacceptable and will lead to loss of reward, as it did with Aaron and Moses. Aaron and Moses were denied entrance to the promised land. Aaron, the confirmed High Priest of Israel in the face of rebellion, and Moses, the man closest to God among all men, they both lost reward. It was a simple disobedience, instead of speaking to the rock, Moses struck the rock with the rod. This act displayed a serious flaw of character, as he vented frustration at the people, calling them rebels. It also deviated from the type of Christ as the Rock, as the rod of God did not strike twice, in the words of the hymn, "God will not payment twice demand; Once at His bleeding sureties' hand and the other one at mine". Also God did not strike the Rock in anger, "...it pleased the Lord to bruise Him" (because of the blessings that would flow). God takes a dim view of anyone or anything that spoils the types of the death of Christ. The sacrifice of Christ was emphatically only once-Hebrews 9v28; 10v10v12v18v26. Moses, the most loyal servant, failed in the aspect of his greatest strength (his superior meekness to all men), as he struck the rock in anger and frustration. He paid a heavy price, we should take note. The meekest man in all the earth failed in His meekness; Peter, a most courageous man among all God's servants, withered before a maid at the judgment hall. The weaknesses and failures of all are recorded in scripture. Yet they point to the One who never failed, who displayed God's character in perfection, the One who is our Rock from which we drink the living water, and the safe Haven to whom we all flee in trouble. "He hath done all things well"-Mark 7v37; "Never man spake like this man"-John 7v46; "I do always those things that please Him"-John8v29.
The hostility of Edom 20v14-21
Despite his personal loss, Moses proceeded with the journey to Canaan, asking the Edomites to grant them safe passage through their territory, even offering to pay for anything they used of theirs. Reminding them of their history, and recounting their present troubles they requested their close relatives to help them (Edom were descended from Esau, the brother of Jacob). This help was denied, and they threatened them by amassing on their border. Israel turned away to seek another way. There are two lessons here: first to expect hostility from the unbelieving world. Jesus told His disciples, "In the world ye shall have tribulation; be of good cheer, I have overcome the world"-John 16v33. He also said to expect opposition from relatives. Edom acted in a callous way to their kinsfolk because they were of a different mindset, and lifestyle. No doubt they would cite family tensions from the past to justify their decision. The second lesson is that Israel were not in a fit moral state for God to change this. Proverbs 16v7 records, "When a man's ways please the Lord, He maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him." Israel's ways did not please the Lord, and they were denied ease of progress. Nationally, "Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people"-Proverbs 14v34. Whether individually, or nationally these principles are irreversible in the government of the universe. Only Christ, when He comes, will subdue all opposition and bring conditions of universal peace.
The demise of Aaron and transference of the Priesthood 20v22-29
They journeyed to mount Hor, where in the fifth month of the 40th year, Aaron died. Whether or not this death was premature for his part at Meribah, we cannot be sure. He was stripped of his Priestly garments and was buried on mount Hor. His eldest son, Eleazar, was made High Priest in his stead, and so the Aaronic Priesthood was continued. In contrast, the Priesthood of Christ is untransferable-Hebrews 7v24, "But this man, because He continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood". He is of the order of Melchisedek, of whom it is said, "Without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life; but made like unto the Son of God; abideth a priest continually"- Hebrews 7v3. In Christ the priestly order is established forever, and greater than anything that has gone before.
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