CHAPTER 20
In the first
month,
the whole
congregation
of Israel
entered
the Wilderness
of Zin
and
stayed
in Kadesh.
There
Miriam
died
and was buried.
The people
quarreled
with
Moses
and said,
“If only
we had perished
when our brothers
fell dead
before
the LORD.
Why
have you brought
the LORD’s
assembly
into
this
wilderness
for us
and our livestock
to die
here?
Why
have you led us up
out of Egypt
to bring
us to
this
wretched
place?
It is not
a place
of grain,
figs,
vines,
and pomegranates,
and there is no
water
to drink!”
Then Moses
and Aaron
went
from the presence
of the assembly
to
the entrance
of the Tent
of Meeting.
They fell facedown,
and the glory
of the LORD
appeared
to them.
“Take
the staff
and assemble
the congregation.
You
and your brother
Aaron
are to speak
to
the rock
while they watch,
and it will pour out
its water.
You will bring out
water
from
the rock
and provide drink
for the congregation
and their livestock."
Then Moses
and Aaron
gathered
the assembly
in
front
of the rock,
and Moses said to them,
“Listen
now,
you rebels,
must we bring you water
out
of
this
rock?”
Then Moses
raised
his hand
and struck
the rock
twice
with his staff,
so that a great amount of
water
gushed out,
and the congregation
and their livestock
were able to drink.
But the LORD
said
to
Moses
and Aaron,
“Because
you did not
trust
Me
to show My holiness
in the sight
of the Israelites,
you will not
bring
this
assembly
into
the land
I have given them.”
These
were the waters
of Meribah,
where
the Israelites
quarreled
with
the LORD,
and He showed His holiness
among them.
From Kadesh
Moses
sent
messengers
to tell
the king
of Edom,
“This is what
your brother
Israel
says:
You
know
all
the hardship
that
has befallen us,
how our fathers
went down
to Egypt,
where we lived
many
years.
The Egyptians
mistreated us and our fathers,
and when we cried out
to
the LORD,
He heard
our voice,
sent
an angel,
and brought us
out of Egypt.
Now look,
we
are in Kadesh,
a city
on the edge
of your territory.
Please
let us pass
through your land.
We will not
cut
through any field
or vineyard,
or
drink
water
from any well.
We will stay on
the King’s
Highway;
we will not
turn
to the right
or to the left
until
we have passed through
your territory."
But Edom
answered,
“You may not
travel
through our land,
or we will come out
and confront
you with the sword.”
“We will stay
on the main road,”
the Israelites
replied,
“and if
we
or our herds
drink
your water,
we will pay
for it.
There will be no
problem;
only
let us pass through
on foot.”
But Edom
insisted,
“You may not
pass through.”
And they came out
to confront the Israelites
with a large
army
and a strong
hand.
So Edom
refused
to allow
Israel
to pass
through their territory,
and Israel
turned away
from them.
“Aaron
will be gathered
to
his people;
he will not
enter
the land
I have given
the Israelites,
because
both of you rebelled
against My command
at the waters
of Meribah.
Remove
Aaron’s
priestly garments
and put them on
his son
Eleazar.
Aaron
will be gathered to his people
and will die
there.”
So Moses
did
as
the LORD
had commanded,
and they climbed
Mount
Hor
in the sight
of the whole
congregation.
After Moses
had removed
Aaron’s
garments
and put them on
his son
Eleazar,
Aaron
died
there
on top
of the mountain.
Then Moses
and Eleazar
came down
from
the mountain.
When all the
congregation
saw
that
Aaron
had died,
the entire
house
of Israel
mourned
for him
thirty
days.