Lesson 251: Moses Smites The Rock

Num. 20

Full Lesson HERE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ObfgiHb2CZE

INTRODUCTION. For forty years, Moses led the children of Israel through the wilderness in the Sinai Peninsula. As the people wandered, they camped in various places although many of the specific locations are unknown today. During these forty years, Moses had to deal with the multitude during hunger, thirst, strife, battles, murmurings, complaints, disobedience, and revolt (Ex. 15-Num. 19).

Finally, while the people were camped at Kadesh Barnea and the time to enter Canaan was near, the people demanded water. God instructed Moses and Aaron to speak to a rock, but instead Moses struck the rock. Although water flowed from the rock, Moses and Aaron were forbidden to enter the land of Canaan because of their disobedience and disbelief (Num. 20:1-13; Ps. 106:32-33).

After this incident at Kadesh, Moses sent messengers to the king of Edom, asking permission to pass through his land on the King's Highway. The Edomites, who were the descendants of Esau, controlled this road and the mountainous country known as Seir which stretched south-southeast from the Dead Sea to the Gulf of Aqabah. Moses told the Edomite king the Israelites would travel on the highway and not pass through the fields or vineyards, nor drink the water from their wells. However, the king refused passage, stating he would come against the Israelites with the sword if they passed through his land (Num. 20:14-21 ).

The Israelites then continued their journey to Mount Hor. Because of his rebellion at Kadesh, Aaron was not allowed to enter the promised land. Therefore, at Mount Hor his priestly garments were put on his son Eleazar, and Aaron died on the top of the mountain. The congregation mourned for Aaron for thirty days (Num. 20:22-29).