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

The people complain again.  This time they complain that there is no grain or figs, grapes, or pomegranates to eat.  And they complain of no water.  Moses and Aaron intercede for the people.

Notice that God does not provide for them the fruit they were missing, but only the water, something that is necessary for them to live.  He doesn't provide the luxury foods.  After all, they were given manna on a daily basis - all the food nourishment they needed.

Moses is told to speak to the rock and instead he strikes the rock. Previously, Moses was told to strike the rock. (Exodus 17:1-7).  This time, God tells Moses to take the staff with him and go to the rock. Did Moses just assume that God was going to tell him to strike the rock again as He did before?  Is this an object lesson for us today?  Is God telling us to pay very careful attention to Him?  Is He saying, read and study Scripture carefully lest you make mistakes?  

After striking the rock, Moses takes credit for the water gushing forth. This sin of disobedience and pride has grave consequences. Moses is not allowed to lead the people into the land. Are there grave consequences for us when we are disobedient and prideful?

Even though it was Moses who struck the rock, Aaron was silent. Aaron also was silent when his sons offered unauthorized fire and were struck dead. When Moses said, "Shall WE bring forth water..", Aaron didn't protest. By his silence, he was in effect giving approval to Moses' claim.  Moses, instead of speaking to the rock, struck the rock.  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?  They were told to go only where the pillar and cloud went.  This was a visible reminder of their command.  We may ask ourselves why they could not trust this visible reminder that was constantly with them.  But we must ask ourselves why we at times are unable to trust Him.  He is with us constantly in the form of the Holy Spirit, something the children of Israel did not have at that time dwelling within,  Being indwelt with the Holy Spirit is so much better that the visual reminder of the pillar and cloud.

2 Corinthians 5:7  

for we walk by faith, not by sight;

When Aaron died, the whole house of Israel mourned for him for thirty days. Why did they not mourn for Miriam?  This question took us on a very eventful journey into the writings of several Jewish rabbis. It seems as if they believe that Miriam was the provider of water for the whole community since the people began to grumble about water right after Miriam's death.  Some rabbis claim that Miriam was The Well (the provider of water).  Hmmm...  Scripture says that the whole Israelite community moved into the Desert of Zin and camped at Kadesh and there Miriam died. Seems as if the water ran out because they were in the desert!  Not that Miriam was The Well!   (Exodus 15:22-25, Exodus 17:1-7) Nowhere in Scripture does it say anywhere that Miriam was instrumental in providing water.  God (the living water) always provided the water.

1 Corinthians 10:4

and all drank the same spiritual drink; for they drank of the spiritual Rock that followed them, and that Rock was Christ.

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 2016.  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 (made from bronze - a symbol of punishment) that Moses lifted up saved the people from physical death. Jesus saves us from spiritual, eternal death.  He saves us from our eternal punishment.

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? Have anything to do with disobedience?

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.