he people come to Zin, They murmur for water, Moses directed
to smite the rock, The infirmity of Moses and Aaron. (1-13) The
Israelites are refused a passage through Edom. (14-21) Aaron
reigns the priest's office to Eleazar, and dies in mount Hor.
(22-29)
Verses 1-13: After thirty-eight years' tedious abode in the wilderness,
the armies of Israel advanced towards Canaan again. There was no
water for the congregation. We live in a wanting world, and
wherever we are, must expect to meet with something to put us
out. It is a great mercy to have plenty of water, a mercy which,
if we found the want of, we should more own the worth of.
Hereupon they murmured against Moses and Aaron. They spake the
same absurd and brutish language their fathers had done. It made
their crime the worse, that they had smarted so long for the
discontent and distrusts of their fathers, yet they venture in
the same steps. Moses must again, in God's name, command water
out of a rock for them; God is as able as ever to supply his
people with what is needful for them. But Moses and Aaron acted
wrong. They took much of the glory of this work of wonder to
themselves; "Must we fetch water?" As if it were done by some
power or worthiness of their own. They were to speak to the
rock, but they smote it. Therefore it is charged upon them, that
they did not sanctify God, that is, they did not give to him
alone that glory of this miracle which was due unto his name.
And being provoked by the people, Moses spake unadvisedly with
his lips. The same pride of man would still usurp the office of
the appointed Mediator; and become to ourselves wisdom,
righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption. Such a state
of sinful independence, such a rebellion of the soul against its
Saviour, the voice of God condemns in every page of the gospel.
Verses 14-21: The nearest way to Canaan from the place where Israel
encamped, was through the country of Edom. The ambassadors who
were sent returned with a denial. The Edomites feared to receive
damage by the Israelites. And had this numerous army been under
any other discipline than that of the righteous God himself,
there might have been cause for this jealousy. But Esau hated
Jacob because of the blessing; and now the hatred revived, when
the blessing was about to be inherited. We must not think it
strange, if reasonable requests be denied by unreasonable men,
and if those whom God favours be affronted by men.
Verses 22-29: God bids Aaron prepare to die. There is something of
displeasure in these orders. Aaron must not enter Canaan,
because he had failed in his duty at the waters of strife. There
is much of mercy in them. Aaron, though he dies for his
transgression, dies with ease, and in honour. He is gathered to
his people, as one who dies in the arms of Divine grace. There
is much significancy in these orders. Aaron must not enter
Canaan, to show that the Levitical priesthood could make nothing
perfect; that must be done by bringing in a better hope. Aaron
submits, and dies in the method and manner appointed; and, for
aught that appears, with as much cheerfulness as if he had been
going to bed. It was a great satisfaction to Aaron to see his
son, who was dear to him, preferred; and his office preserved
and secured: especially, to see in this a figure of Christ's
everlasting priesthood. A good man would desire, if it were the
will of God, not to outlive his usefulness. Why should we covet
to continue any longer in this world, than while we may do some
service in it for God and our generation?
he people come to Zin, They murmur for water, Moses directed
to smite the rock, The infirmity of Moses and Aaron. (1-13) The
Israelites are refused a passage through Edom. (14-21) Aaron
reigns the priest's office to Eleazar, and dies in mount Hor.
(22-29)