how our fathers went down to Egypt, where we lived many years. The Egyptians mistreated us and our fathers, Our fathers went down to EgyptThis phrase refers to the historical journey of the patriarchs and their families into Egypt, as recorded in Genesis. The Hebrew root for "fathers" is "אָבוֹת" (avot), which signifies not only biological ancestors but also spiritual forebears who laid the foundation of faith. The journey to Egypt was initially a move for survival during a famine, as seen in the account of Joseph. This historical context underscores God's providence and the unfolding of His divine plan, even through trials and foreign lands. and we lived in Egypt a long time
The phrase "lived in Egypt a long time" highlights the extended period the Israelites spent in Egypt, which was approximately 430 years according to Exodus 12:40. The Hebrew word for "lived" is "יָשַׁב" (yashav), meaning to dwell or settle. This long sojourn was a time of both growth and oppression, as the Israelites multiplied but also became enslaved. It serves as a reminder of God's faithfulness in preserving His people through generations, even in bondage, and His ultimate plan for their deliverance. and the Egyptians mistreated us and our fathers
The term "mistreated" comes from the Hebrew "רָעַע" (ra'a), which means to do evil or harm. This phrase recalls the harsh treatment and slavery the Israelites endured under Egyptian rule, as described in Exodus. The historical context of this oppression is crucial, as it sets the stage for God's mighty acts of deliverance through Moses. It also serves as a powerful reminder of God's justice and His ability to hear the cries of His people, responding with compassion and deliverance. Persons / Places / Events 1. The IsraelitesThe descendants of Jacob, also known as the children of Israel, who are recounting their history and experiences in Egypt. 2. EgyptThe land where the Israelites lived for many years, initially as guests during Joseph's time, but later as slaves under oppressive Pharaohs. 3. The Egyptian OppressionThe period during which the Israelites were enslaved and mistreated by the Egyptians, leading to their eventual cry for deliverance. Teaching Points Remembering Our PastReflect on how God has been faithful in past trials and tribulations. Just as the Israelites remembered their time in Egypt, we should recall how God has delivered us from our own "Egypts." The Importance of TestimonySharing our history and experiences can strengthen our faith and the faith of others. The Israelites' recounting of their past served as a testimony to God's power and faithfulness. Trust in God's DeliveranceEven in times of oppression and hardship, trust that God hears our cries and will deliver us in His perfect timing, just as He did for the Israelites. The Consequences of Forgetting GodWhen we forget God's past deliverances, we risk falling into despair and unbelief. Regularly recounting God's faithfulness helps us remain steadfast in our faith. Intergenerational FaithfulnessTeach the next generation about God's works and faithfulness. The Israelites' recounting of their history was a way to pass down their faith and experiences to future generations. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the history of the Israelites in Egypt reflect God's sovereignty and faithfulness? 2. In what ways can we relate the Israelites' experience in Egypt to our own personal "Egypts" or times of trial? 3. How can remembering past deliverances strengthen our faith in current challenges? 4. What are some practical ways we can share our testimonies of God's faithfulness with others? 5. How can we ensure that the next generation understands and appreciates the history of God's work in our lives and in the lives of His people? Connections to Other Scriptures Exodus 1This chapter provides a detailed account of the Israelites' oppression in Egypt, setting the stage for their eventual deliverance. Genesis 46Describes Jacob and his family's descent into Egypt, which marks the beginning of their long sojourn there. Deuteronomy 26:5-9Offers a summary of Israel's history, including their time in Egypt and God's deliverance, similar to the context of Numbers 20:15. Acts 7:6-7Stephen's speech recounts the history of Israel, including their time in Egypt, highlighting God's faithfulness and deliverance. People Aaron, Egyptians, Eleazar, Israelites, Miriam, MosesPlaces Edom, Egypt, Kadesh-barnea, King's Highway, Meribah, Mount Hor, ZinTopics Afflicted, Badly, Cruel, Dealt, Dwell, Dwelt, Egypt, Egyptians, Entreated, Evil, Fathers, Harshly, Ill, Mistreated, Stayed, Treated, VexedDictionary of Bible Themes Numbers 20:15-16 8610 prayer, asking God 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 20:15 NIVNumbers 20:15 NLTNumbers 20:15 ESVNumbers 20:15 NASBNumbers 20:15 KJV
Numbers 20:15 Commentaries
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