Moses' sister Miriam dies and they bury her at Kadesh. Wonder why there was no time of mourning recorded for her.

Moses is told to speak to the rock and instead he strikes the rock. Then he takes credit for the water gushing forth. This sin has grave consequences. Moses is not allowed to lead the people into the land. Are there grave consequences for us when we are disobedient?

Even though it was Moses who struck the rock, Aaron was silent. When Moses said, "Shall WE bring forth water..", Aaron didn't protest. By his silence, he was in effect giving approval. What Moses did was wrong. When we witness things that are wrong, do we as Believers in effect give our approval by our silence?

Were the people supposed to ask for safe passage through the land of Edom? Or were they to trust the pillar and cloud?

When Aaron died, the whole house of Israel mourned for him for thirty days. Why did they not mourn for Miriam?

The Canaanite city of Arad is mentioned in today's reading. As a present day connection, we read about a Messianic Jewish community there who are being harassed because they are Jews who believe in Jesus. Pray for them.  This statement was in last year's study.  Very little has changed in 2013.  They are still being harassed as are many other Messianic Jews in Israel.

True to their nature, the people again become impatient and complain and so God sends venomous snakes. Many people die. Then, also true to their nature, they confess their sins and ask Moses to intervene for them. Moses asks God to take away the snakes. Also, true to His nature, God stops the snakes and provides a way for them to be saved. The snake that Moses lifted up saved the people from physical death. Jesus saves us from spiritual, eternal death.

John 3:14-15
Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the desert, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life.

In Numbers 21:14 the Book of the Wars of the Lord is quoted.  And again in verse 27, a reference is made to the poets. The Bible refers numerous times to other writings.

In Moses' detailed journal of the exodus from Egypt, there are 41 places where they camped. Some of those times they stayed a considerable amount of time, other times they were there only a short time.Wonder why?

Today's reading contains details of battles.  We must remember that God promised the Israelites that He (God) would run the people out of the land.  It is because of their disobedience that they must do battle with the people who are living there.  Just another example of the consequences of disobedience.