Numbers 20

Third, Moses in some way dishonored God by striking the rock. The rock represented God’s bounty, God’s provision of life-giving water. And in the presence of all the people Moses struck the rock in anger—not once but twice (verse 11).

In 1 Corinthians 10:4, Paul writes that that rock was Christ. That rock represented Christ, and the water that flowed out of it represented spiritual water, the living water of the Holy Spirit (John 4:10,14; 7:37–39). Thus, unwittingly, Moses had struck out at the embodiment of God’s grace–the Rock, which was Christ. Some Christians believe that Moses’ first striking of the rock at Massah (Exodus 17:6) symbolized Jesus’ death, and that the second striking at Meribah was akin to crucifying Jesus a second time.⁶⁷

However we are to understand this sad event, God was displeased with His otherwise faithful servant Moses and gave him a just punishment for his sin (see Numbers 27:12–14 and comment).

Those waters were called Meribah,⁶⁸ for there the Israelites quarreled with the Lord (verse 13). Ever since then, Massah and Meribah have served as permanent reminders of both God’s grace and His justice—of His life-giving water and His punishment of sin (Psalms 95:8–11; 114:7–8).

Edom Denies Israel Passage (20:14–21)

14–21 The Israelites had decided against entering Canaan from the south. Instead, the Lord directed them to enter Canaan from the eastern side, and to do so they first had to pass through Edom.⁶⁹ So Moses asked the king of Edom for safe passage.

The king refused Moses’ request. Israel’s army was stronger than Edom’s, but the Lord told Moses not to attack Edom but to go around its southern border. The Lord didn’t want Israel to fight the Edomites or take any of their land, because He had given that land to Esau and his descendants (see Deuteronomy 2:1–6).

The Death of Aaron (20:22–29)

22 Finally, after thirty–eight years, the Israelites were once again moving toward Canaan, the promised land. The exact location of Mount Hor is not known today, but the Israelites passed by it as they proceeded along the border of Edom.

23–29 The Lord had determined that Mount Hor was the place where Aaron was to die; Aaron shared in Moses’ punishment, and thus could not enter the promised land. On Mount Hor he was gathered to his people (verse 26)—an expression meaning, “he died” (Genesis 25:8; 35:29). Of the old generation all had now died except Moses, Joshua and Caleb. In a few more months it would be Moses’ turn; the forty years in the wilderness were almost at an end.