These were the waters of Meribah, where the Israelites quarreled with the LORD, and He showed His holiness among them. These were the waters of MeribahThe term "Meribah" comes from the Hebrew root "rib," meaning "to strive" or "to contend." This place is significant in Israel's history as a site of contention and testing. Archaeologically, Meribah is associated with the region near Kadesh, a critical location during the Israelites' wilderness wanderings. The waters of Meribah symbolize both God's provision and the people's lack of faith, serving as a reminder of the consequences of disobedience and the importance of trusting in God's promises. where the Israelites quarreled
The word "quarreled" is derived from the Hebrew "rîb," which implies a legal dispute or contention. This reflects the Israelites' ongoing struggle with faith and obedience. Historically, this quarrel represents a pattern of behavior where the Israelites frequently challenged God's authority and Moses' leadership. It serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of doubt and rebellion against divine guidance. with the LORD
The phrase "with the LORD" underscores the gravity of the Israelites' actions. In the Hebrew text, "LORD" is "YHWH," the sacred name of God, emphasizing His covenant relationship with Israel. This quarrel was not merely against Moses but against God Himself, highlighting the seriousness of their rebellion. It reminds believers of the importance of reverence and submission to God's will. and He showed His holiness
The concept of "holiness" in Hebrew is "qodesh," signifying separation and sacredness. God's holiness was demonstrated through His response to the Israelites' rebellion, both in judgment and mercy. This event illustrates God's unchanging nature and His commitment to His holiness, serving as a powerful reminder of His righteous standards and the call for His people to reflect His holiness in their lives. among them
The phrase "among them" indicates God's presence with His people, even in their disobedience. It reflects the theological truth that God dwells with His people, guiding, correcting, and sanctifying them. This presence is both comforting and convicting, reminding believers of God's intimate involvement in their lives and His desire for them to live in accordance with His will. Persons / Places / Events 1. MosesThe leader of the Israelites, who was instructed by God to speak to the rock to bring forth water but instead struck it, leading to significant consequences. 2. AaronMoses' brother and the high priest, who was with Moses during this event and also faced consequences for the actions taken at Meribah. 3. The IsraelitesThe people of God who were journeying through the wilderness and quarreled with Moses and Aaron due to a lack of water. 4. MeribahThe location where the Israelites quarreled with God, meaning "quarreling" or "strife" in Hebrew, highlighting the contentious nature of the event. 5. The LORDGod, who demonstrated His holiness and authority through the miraculous provision of water, despite the disobedience of Moses and Aaron. Teaching Points The Holiness of GodGod's response at Meribah underscores His holiness and the importance of reverence and obedience. Disobedience, even by leaders, has serious consequences. The Consequences of DisobedienceMoses and Aaron's actions at Meribah serve as a reminder that leaders are held to high standards and that disobedience can lead to missed blessings. God's Provision Despite Human FailureDespite the Israelites' complaints and Moses' disobedience, God still provided water, demonstrating His grace and faithfulness. The Importance of Faith and TrustThe Israelites' lack of faith and trust in God's provision led to quarreling and strife. Believers are called to trust in God's timing and provision. Learning from Past MistakesThe repeated events at Meribah highlight the need to learn from past mistakes and to approach God with faith and obedience. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the event at Meribah illustrate the importance of obedience to God's instructions, especially for leaders? 2. In what ways does the account of Meribah challenge us to trust in God's provision, even when circumstances seem dire? 3. How can we apply the lessons from Meribah to avoid quarreling and strife in our own communities and relationships? 4. What does the holiness of God, as demonstrated at Meribah, teach us about how we should approach Him in worship and daily life? 5. How can reflecting on past experiences of God's provision strengthen our faith and trust in Him for future challenges? Connections to Other Scriptures Exodus 17:1-7This earlier event at Rephidim, also called Meribah, where Moses struck the rock to bring forth water, provides a backdrop to the Numbers 20 incident, highlighting a pattern of testing and God's provision. Psalm 95:8-11This passage reflects on the rebellion at Meribah, warning against hardening hearts and disobedience, emphasizing the importance of faith and obedience to God. Hebrews 3:7-11The New Testament reiteration of the warning from Psalm 95, urging believers to remain faithful and obedient, using the example of the Israelites' rebellion as a cautionary tale. People Aaron, Egyptians, Eleazar, Israelites, Miriam, MosesPlaces Edom, Egypt, Kadesh-barnea, King's Highway, Meribah, Mount Hor, ZinTopics Contended, Hallowed, Holy, Israelites, Meribah, Mer'ibah, Proved, Quarreled, Sanctified, Showed, Sons, Striven, Strove, WatersDictionary of Bible Themes Numbers 20:13 8672 striving with God Numbers 20:1-13 5924 quarrelsomeness Numbers 20:7-13 4512 staff Numbers 20:10-13 4354 rock Library August 17. "Speak Ye unto the Rock" (Num. xx. 8).
"Speak ye unto the Rock" (Num. xx. 8). The Holy Ghost is very sensitive, as love always is. You can conquer a wild beast by blows and chains, but you cannot conquer a woman's heart that way, or win the love of a sensitive nature; that must be wooed by the delicate touches of trust and affection. So the Holy Ghost has to be taken by a faith as delicate and sensitive as the gentle heart with whom it is coming in touch. One thought of unbelief, one expression of impatient distrust or fear, will instantly …
Rev. A. B. Simpson—Days of Heaven Upon Earth The Waters of Meribah
'Then came the children of Israel, even the whole congregation, into the desert of Zin in the first month: and the people abode in Kadesh; and Miriam died there, and was buried there. 2. And there was no water for the congregation: and they gathered themselves together against Moses and against Aaron. 3. And the people chode with Moses, and spake, saying, Would God that we had died when our brethren died before the Lord! 4. And why have ye brought up the congregation of the Lord into this wilderness, …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture Kadesh. Rekam, and that Double. Inquiry is Made, Whether the Doubling it in the Maps is Well Done.
The readers of the eastern interpreters will observe, that Kadesh is rendered by all Rekam, or in a sound very near it. In the Chaldee, it is 'Rekam': in the Syriac, 'Rekem': in the Arabic, 'Rakim'... There are two places noted by the name Rekam in the very bounds of the land,--to wit, the southern and eastern: that is, a double Kadesh. I. Of Kadesh, or Rekam, in the south part, there is no doubt. II. Of it, in the eastern part, there is this mention: "From Rekam to the east, and Rekam is as the …
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica The Baptist's Inquiry and Jesus' Discourse Suggested Thereby.
(Galilee.) ^A Matt. XI. 2-30; ^C Luke VII. 18-35. ^c 18 And the disciples of John told him of all these things. ^a 2 Now when John had heard in the prison the works of Christ, he sent by his disciples ^c 19 And John calling unto him two of his disciples sent them unto the Lord [John had been cast into prison about December, a.d. 27, and it was now after the Passover, possibly in May or June, a.d. 28. Herod Antipas had cast John into prison because John had reproved him for taking his brother's wife. …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel Epistle xxviii. To Augustine, Bishop of the Angli .
To Augustine, Bishop of the Angli [136] . Gregory to Augustine, &c. Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men of good will (Luke ii. 14); because a grain of wheat, falling into the earth, has died, that it might not reign in heaven alone; even He by whose death we live, by whose weakness we are made strong, by whose suffering we are rescued from suffering, through whose love we seek in Britain for brethren whom we knew not, by whose gift we find those whom without knowing them we sought. …
Saint Gregory the Great—the Epistles of Saint Gregory the Great Travelling in Palestine --Roads, Inns, Hospitality, Custom-House Officers, Taxation, Publicans
It was the very busiest road in Palestine, on which the publican Levi Matthew sat at the receipt of "custom," when our Lord called him to the fellowship of the Gospel, and he then made that great feast to which he invited his fellow-publicans, that they also might see and hear Him in Whom he had found life and peace (Luke 5:29). For, it was the only truly international road of all those which passed through Palestine; indeed, it formed one of the great highways of the world's commerce. At the time …
Alfred Edersheim—Sketches of Jewish Social Life Peræa to Bethany. Raising of Lazarus.
^D John XI. 1-46. ^d 1 Now a certain man was sick, Lazarus of Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. [For Bethany and the sisters, see p. 478.] 2 And it was that Mary who anointed the Lord with ointment, and wiped his feet with her hair [John xii. 3 ], whose brother Lazarus was sick. [The anointing had not yet taken place, as John himself shows. For a similar anticipation see Matt. x. 4. There are five prominent Marys in the New Testament: those of Nazareth, Magdala and Bethany; the …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus
THE ISRAELITES IN THE LAND OF CANAAN: THE JUDGES--THE PHILISTINES AND THE HEBREW KINGDOM--SAUL, DAVID, SOLOMON, THE DEFECTION OF THE TEN TRIBES--THE XXIst EGYPTIAN DYNASTY--SHESHONQ OR SHISHAK DAMASCUS. The Hebrews in the desert: their families, clans, and tribes--The Amorites and the Hebrews on the left bank of the Jordan--The conquest of Canaan and the native reaction against the Hebrews--The judges, Ehud, Deborah, Jerubbaal or Gideon and the Manassite supremacy; Abimelech, Jephihdh. The Philistines, …
G. Maspero—History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 6 Backsliding.
"I will heal their backsliding; I will love them freely: for Mine anger is turned away."--Hosea xiv. 4. There are two kinds of backsliders. Some have never been converted: they have gone through the form of joining a Christian community and claim to be backsliders; but they never have, if I may use the expression, "slid forward." They may talk of backsliding; but they have never really been born again. They need to be treated differently from real back-sliders--those who have been born of the incorruptible …
Dwight L. Moody—The Way to God and How to Find It Numbers
Like the last part of Exodus, and the whole of Leviticus, the first part of Numbers, i.-x. 28--so called,[1] rather inappropriately, from the census in i., iii., (iv.), xxvi.--is unmistakably priestly in its interests and language. Beginning with a census of the men of war (i.) and the order of the camp (ii.), it devotes specific attention to the Levites, their numbers and duties (iii., iv.). Then follow laws for the exclusion of the unclean, v. 1-4, for determining the manner and amount of restitution …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Numbers 20:13 NIVNumbers 20:13 NLTNumbers 20:13 ESVNumbers 20:13 NASBNumbers 20:13 KJV
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