Numbers 20:1
Then came the children of Israel, [even] the whole congregation, into the desert of Zin in the first
a month: and the people abode in Kadesh; and
b Miriam died there, and was buried there.
(a) This was forty years after their departure from Egypt.
(b) Moses and Aarons sister.
Numbers 20:2
And there was no water for the congregation: and they
c gathered themselves together against Moses and against Aaron.
(c) Another rebellion was in Rephidim ( Exodus 17:1-16 ), and this was in Kadesh.
Numbers 20:8
Take the
d rod, and gather thou the assembly together, thou, and Aaron thy brother, and speak ye unto the rock before their eyes; and it shall give forth his water, and thou shalt bring forth to them water out of the rock: so thou shalt give the congregation and their beasts drink.
(d) With which you did miracles in Egypt and divided the sea.
Numbers 20:10
And Moses and Aaron gathered the congregation together before the rock, and he said unto them, Hear now, ye rebels;
e must we fetch you water out of this rock?
(e) The punishment which followed declared that Moses and Aaron did not believe the Lords promise as it appeared in ( Numbers 20:12 ).
Numbers 20:12
And the LORD spake unto Moses and Aaron, Because ye believed me not, to
f sanctify me in the eyes of the children of Israel, therefore ye shall not bring this congregation into the land which I have given them.
(f) That the children of Israel should believe and acknowledge my power and so honour me.
Numbers 20:13
This [is] the water of Meribah; because the children of Israel strove with the LORD, and he
h was sanctified in them.
(h) By showing himself almighty and maintaining his glory.
Numbers 20:14
And Moses sent messengers from Kadesh unto the king of
i Edom, Thus saith thy brother Israel, Thou knowest all the travail that hath befallen us:
(i) Because Jacob or Israel was Esaus brother, who was called Edom.
Numbers 20:21
Thus Edom refused to give Israel passage through his border: wherefore Israel
k turned away from him.
(k) To pass by another way.
Numbers 20:24
Aaron shall be
l gathered unto his people: for he shall not enter into the land which I have given unto the children of Israel, because ye rebelled against my word at the water of Meribah.
(l) Read ( Genesis 25:8 ).
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