Numbers Chapter 20

Distributed by: KJV Bible Studies

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Memory verses for this week: Gal 6:10 As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.

Introduction: Last week we studied about the Red Heifer sacrifice. It was used to cleanse those who had been defiled by touching or being near the dead. Exact instructions had to be followed to allow the person to be cleansed.

I. The Sin of Moses

Num 20:1 Then came the children of Israel, even the whole congregation, into the desert of Zin in the first month: and the people abode in Kadesh; and Miriam died there, and was buried there.

Num 20:2 And there was no water for the congregation: and they gathered themselves together against Moses and against Aaron.

The desert or wilderness of Zin is not the same as the wilderness of Sin, even though they sound so similar. Zin is in the northern half of the Negev or Negeb desert far north of sin which is actually in the southern part of the Sinai peninsula. It speaks of Miriam’s death in verse 1. Apparently, this was the older sister of Aaron and Moses. She was a prophetess and a singer who worked specifically with the women.

Exodus 15:20-21

And Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took a timbrel in her hand; and all the women went out after her with timbrels and with dances. 21And Miriam answered them, Sing ye to the Lord, for he hath triumphed gloriously; the horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea.

We believe that the verses in Exodus 2:4-7 speak of Miriam.

Exodus 2:4-7

And his sister stood afar off, to wit what would be done to him.

5And the daughter of Pharaoh came down to wash herself at the river; and her maidens walked along by the river's side; and when she saw the ark among the flags, she sent her maid to fetch it. 6And when she had opened it, she saw the child: and, behold, the babe wept. And she had compassion on him, and said, This is one of the Hebrews' children. 7Then said his sister to Pharaoh's daughter, Shall I go and call to thee a nurse of the Hebrew women, that she may nurse the child for thee?

Num 20:3 And the people chided with Moses, and spake, saying, Would God that we had died when our brethren died before the LORD!

Num 20:4 And why have ye brought up the congregation of the LORD into this wilderness, that we and our cattle should die there?

Num 20:5 And wherefore have ye made us to come up out of Egypt, to bring us in unto this evil place? it is no place of seed, or of figs, or of vines, or of pomegranates; neither is there any water to drink.

Moses seemed to be constantly under attack by the people for one thing or another. Here the people chode with Moses over why he had brought them out of Egypt into the wilderness to die. Chode is an old English word which means to grapple with or contend against. They blamed Moses for their own lack of faith. They say ‘why have ye’ brough us out.

Then they get a more serious blame when they said ‘ye made us to come’. This ‘ye’ is second person plural meaning they are really blaming both Moses and Aaron. They only remembered the good things of Egypt and forgot the bondage they were in for 400 years. Now they saw only the bad things in the current situation. Many Christians today are that way, and can not see things clearly and trust God by faith for the trials they are facing.