February 19

February 19

Numbers 18–20

Scripture Text: Numbers 18:1–20:29

Series: Read the Bible in a Year

Though the Levites had rebelled against God and his plan of leadership by following Korah and his comrades, God forgives them. Chapter 18 reaffirms the duties of the Levites, both as a way of affirming they still have a place in God's order and also, as a reminder of what is actually important.

Laws for purification, particularly in regards to having touched a dead body, are stated again. Water plays a part in this purification. Does this remind you of anything?

Miriam dies at the beginning of chapter 20, then the people commence complaining again. How did Moses do it? How did he endure them? It was worse than being on Facebook after a presidential election.

Unfortunately, he does not deal with it well; his frustration gets the best of him. Moses and Aaron make it personal and sarcastically remark that they should perhaps, bring water out of a rock for the people to drink. Then he strikes the rock with his staff, and water does pour out of the rock. The people and their livestock drink. But there is a problem here.

Moses and Aaron have turned their leadership into the the kind of hucksterism of popular tent and TV evangelists. He does not revere God but instead, puts on a show. Instead of speaking God's promise so that the people might believe what is spoken, he performs a trick, the very thing Jesus refused to do in another wilderness (Luke 4:1-13).

And for this lack of reverence, the leaders are not permitted to enter the promised land. Someone else will lead the people in. But first, chapter 20 ends with the death of and grieving for Aaron.  

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