Numbers 20 Commentary
Miriam dies at Kadesh. It’s been a very long trip for her.
We all remember the young Miriam cooperating with God to save baby Moses from the Nile. Later, she led the women in a praise song as the nation left Egypt.
Next, we shall mourn the death of Miriam’s brother Aaron – the High priest. But we have a couple of items in between.
The nation on the move once again encounters water problems. The LORD provides for the people but only at a huge cost to both Moses and Aaron. Instead of speaking to the rock, Moses says and does stuff that brings them the same punishment as the rest of the people. God’s standards are rigidly high!
“You shall have no other gods before me.” By including themselves in God’s entourage with the “we” statement, Moses and Aaron installed themselves as gods! They put themselves on the same footing as the Creator God!
The land of promise is nearly there but we have Edom in between. Ancient hostilities between the two brothers (Jacob and Esau) are renewed. Frightened Israel must take another route.
We would expect Israel to easily sort out Edom having seen what the LORD did to Egypt. But years of doubt and contempt have left Israel devoid of faith and confidence. So the approaching military machinery of Edom is enough trouble to make them detour.
A life of constant doubt, short memory, lack of appreciation of the LORD’s mighty works, and fear even when the LORD’s presence is visibly present is a life that poorly prepares the saint for real battles.
Faith isn’t a light switch you easily turn on or off at will. It must be developed over time as we live a life reflecting the victories of the LORD over battles on a daily basis. These could be battles in small things like telling the truth or saying thanks to the LORD for a meal provided.
The message Moses sends to Edom reminds us of Jacob’s message to Esau as they prepare to face each other. In a moment of great fear, Jacob turned to the LORD in prayer and the situation was saved. But this Jacob has transformed into doubt and fear. He no longer knows the character of his God.
The death of Miriam and Aaron, though rightly aged by this time, (probably 100+), reminds us of a lost opportunity to experience God’s goodness in the Promised Land. Of course, it’s not a robbery, death being responsible! In this case, individuals and the community have caused pain and suffering by their own sinfulness – including exclusion from the Promised Land!
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