Numbers 20 Devotional

Water for a Quarreling People

“But the LORD said to Moses and Aaron, “Because you did not trust Me to show My holiness in the sight of the Israelites, you will not bring this assembly into the land that I have given them.””Numbers 20:12 (BSB)

Loss frames this chapter. Miriam dies at Kadesh (20:1). By the end of the chapter Aaron dies too, on Mount Hor, after his priestly garments are placed on his son Eleazar (20:26-28).

There is no water, and the people quarrel again, wishing they had died with their brothers (20:3-5). God tells Moses to take the staff and speak to the rock (20:8). Instead Moses calls them rebels, asks whether he and Aaron must produce water for them, and strikes the rock twice (20:10-11). Water pours out anyway. God provides for a quarreling people even through a failing leader. But he tells Moses and Aaron that they failed to trust him and to honor him as holy before the people, so they will not bring the assembly into the land (20:12). Even so, the text says God showed himself holy there (20:13). His holiness and his kindness do not depend on the people who lead, which is good news for anyone led by imperfect leaders, or leading as one.

To think about: Where are you tempted to take credit for, or control, what only God can provide?