Numbers 20
by Pastor David Groendyk
Previously in the book of Numbers, the entirety of the older generation had been condemned to not enter the Promised Land due to their lack of faith in God. Now, in today’s chapter, we see the downfall of the Big Three leaders of the people. In quick succession, Israel loses Miriam, Moses, and Aaron. None of them will enter the Promised Land with the new generation.
The first leader to fall is Miriam (v. 1). Far and away, Miriam had been the leading woman of the entire nation. She had been charged with watching over baby Moses in Egypt and eventually saved his life (Ex. 2:4–8). She was a prophetess (Ex. 15:20). She led the women in the singing and praising of God for his redeeming Israel out of Egypt (Ex. 15:20–21). But the promise of the older generation passing away before Canaan comes true for Miriam as it did for the rest. The second leader to fall is Moses (vv. 2–13). While the grumbling and complaining of the people is a familiar story and one that we’ve seen play out over and over in the Pentateuch, Moses’ response is shocking and damning. As the people grumble for water, God again is gracious in providing it for them miraculously, but Moses was not quite as amenable this time around. God had commanded Moses to speak to the rock (v. 8), but he decided to strike it instead (v. 11). What’s the big deal with that? By angrily choosing to disobey God, Moses did not honor God as holy (v. 12). The third and final leader to fall is Aaron (vv. 22–29). Actually, both Moses and Aaron were guilty in the rock incident, and both of their punishments were that they would not enter the Promised Land for themselves. But unlike Moses, Aaron’s death is recorded almost immediately after the rock incident. It’s a disappointing ending for Israel’s great high priest.
In quick succession, the leading woman of Israel, the prophet who spoke face-to-face with God, and the first high priest are all lost. Sin has devastated the nation of Israel, taking first the entire older generation and now its three great leaders. We even see that the same exact sin that the older generation dealt with is now rearing its ugly head in the young generation (vv. 3–5). It’s a great tragedy that no one seems to be learning their lessons about pride and opposing God, especially since their forty years of wanderings are so close to being finished!
One lesson to take away is that we should never put our faith in any man or woman for salvation. Moses, Aaron, and Miriam were unrivaled in their authority and power over Israel. God literally opened the earth to swallow those who opposed them. And yet each of them fell hard. Every single human being is tainted badly with sin. Every single human being is prideful and rebels against God. Be very careful about idolizing human beings. Whether it’s a pastor, a celebrity, an athlete, or a politician, none of them are worth your undying devotion. Put your faith fully in God, not man, and devote yourself to him.
A related lesson we can learn is that no one is immune to sin… including ourselves! Unless we are constantly on guard against temptation, we will fall. Especially as we ourselves are marching toward our own figurative Canaan, we must be vigilant against the wickedness that dwells within us still. Do not let yourself stumble so close to the finish line! Seek God’s Spirit for strength continually, actively remind yourselves of God’s goodness and God’s promises regularly, and always be fighting against your own sin.