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Follow the journey of Aaron and Moses through the wilderness, as they face challenges, grumbling, and conflicts. Witness the power of God's chosen staff and the consequences of disobeying His instructions. Experience the lessons learned in faith and obedience.
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Aaron’s Staff Buds • God wants to put to an “end” to all the grumbling and complaining regarding Moses and Aaron’s leadership • Each tribal leader was to present a STAFF before Moses with their name on it and the Tent of Meeting. • The staff that SPROUTED with buds and produced blossoms and bore ripe almonds would be God’s chosen LEADER. • The staff would stay near the ARK to be a reminder of God’s chosen path.
Bring The Grumbling to Closure • God speaks to Aaron, dealing with the priests and Levities and assigning them a unique position (18:1-24) • God speaks to Moses, who is CHARGED with the supervision of the priests and the Levites and their relationship with one another (18:25 – 32) • The “rebellion” left thousands of Israelites dead. So Yahweh speaks to Moses on the proper way to cleanse those who would have come into contact with dead bodies. (chapter 19)
The Death of Miriam (Numbers 20:1) • They were in the Wilderness of Zin • In Kadesh • Miriam dies and is buried there • One month from leaving Mt. Sinai
The Waters of Meribah • There was a shortage of water. • Israel complains to Moses and Aaron • Why? Why? Why? • Moses and Aaron go before Yahweh who responds with the following command.
The Waters of Meribah “Take the staff, and assemble the congregation, you and Aaron your brother, and tell the rock before their eyes to yield its water. So you shall bring water out of the rock for them and give drink to the congregation and their cattle.” And Moses took the staff from before the LORD, as he commanded him. (Numbers 20:8 – 9)
Moses Strikes the Rock • Moses makes a critical error “in judgment” • Instead of following God’s instructions he allows his anger, pride, and impatience to get the best of him. • Instead of pointing to God’s work he says this “shall WE bring water for you of out this rock?” • He strikes the rock TWICE with his staff
YAHWEH RESPONDS “Because you did not believe in me, to uphold me as HOLY in the eyes of the people of Israel, therefore you shall not bring this assembly into the land I have given them.” These are the waters of Meribah, where the people of Israel quarreled with the LORD, and through them he showed himself holy.
Why Edom? • By turning northward from Kadesh, the Israelites could take a direct route to the Transjordan Valley, past the descendants of Esau, Jacob’s twin brother. • God’s curse of the Canaanites does not include the Edomites, Israel’s relatives through Esau. • Therefore, an attack on them was forbidden.
King’s Highway • Important caravan route and military road • Ran northward to Damsascus from Ezion-geber on the Gulf of Aqaba. • Very ancient highway that existed a thousand years before Moses time • It crossed Edomite and Moabite Territory and continued east of the Salt Sea and the Jordan as far as north as Damascus.
Moses Request • Let us pass through your territory • We will not damage your lands or drink your water • We will go along the King’s Highway • We will make swift time through your land. • Edom’s response: NO – we will meet you with the sword if you come are way. • So Israel turns away from Edom.
THE DEATH OF AARON • They travel from Kadesh to Mt. Hor. • Aaron will transfer the title of High Priest over to this his son Eleazar • Aaron will die here on top of the Mountain, he like Moses would not see the promise land • Israel WEPT for 30 days
Arad Destroyed (Numbers 21) When the Canaanite king of Arad, who lived in the Negeb, heard that Israel was coming by the way of the Atharim, he fought against Israel, and took some of them captive. And Israel vowed a vow to the LORD and said, “If you will indeed give this people into my hand, then I will devote their cities to destruction.” And the LORD heeded the voice of Israel and gave over the Canaanites, and they devoted them and their cities to destruction.
The Bronze Serpent (Num 21) • The people become IMPATIENT on the way • The people speak against both GOD and MOSES • We are going to DIE in this wilderness – No FOOD and No WATER. • So the LORD spent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people, so that many people died
The Bronze Serpent (Num 21) • We have SINNED, for we have spoken against the LORD and against you. • Pray to the LORD, that he take away the serpents from us. • So the LORD tells Moses “make a FIERY serpent and set it on a pole, and everyone who is bitten, when he sees, it shall live.”
Jesus uses this illustration from Israel’s history to describe what will happen when he will be lifted up. • When faith looks up to Christ crucified, God saves from eternal death all victims of the fatal venom of sin.
The Song of the Well • As they travel God’s mercy continues to be shown. • “Gather the people together, so that I may give them water.” (21:16) • Israel sings a song of rejoice for the water. • Despite our frustrations and impatience – His mercies are new every day
King Shihon Defeated • Israel defeated him with the edge of the sword and took possession of his land from the Arnon to the Jabbok. • The entire land of the Ammonites • They took all the major cities including Heshbon, and in all its villages • They composed to a song to HONOR God and declare their victory. • Although not part of the promise land this would become the home of Rueben and Gad
King Of Defeated • While living in the land of the Amorites, Moses turned his sights on the land of Bashan • Og the King of Bashan came out against them, he and his people, to battle at Edrei. • The LORD said, “Do not fear him, for I have given him into your had, and all his people, and his land. And you do to him as you to Sihon, king of the Amorities, who lived at Heshbon.
