So Moses took the staff from the LORD's presence, just as he had been commanded. So Moses took the staffMosesMoses is a central figure in the Old Testament, chosen by God to lead the Israelites out of Egyptian bondage. His name, derived from the Hebrew "Mosheh," is believed to mean "drawn out," reflecting his rescue from the Nile as a baby. Moses' life is a testament to God's power and faithfulness, as he was called to be a prophet, leader, and lawgiver. His role in this verse underscores his authority and responsibility as God's appointed leader. took
The act of taking signifies obedience and readiness to act. In Hebrew, the word "laqach" implies receiving or seizing, indicating Moses' acceptance of God's command. This action reflects Moses' willingness to follow divine instructions, a recurring theme in his leadership journey. It also sets the stage for the unfolding events, highlighting the importance of obedience in fulfilling God's will. the staff
The staff is a symbol of authority and divine power. In Hebrew, "mateh" can mean both a physical staff and a tribe, suggesting leadership and governance. Historically, Moses' staff was used to perform miracles, such as parting the Red Sea and bringing water from a rock. It represents God's provision and presence with His people. The staff serves as a tangible reminder of God's faithfulness and the miraculous ways He sustains His people. Persons / Places / Events 1. MosesThe leader of the Israelites, chosen by God to deliver His people from Egypt and guide them through the wilderness. In this passage, Moses is acting in obedience to God's command. 2. The LORD's PresenceRefers to the sacred space where God’s presence dwelt among the Israelites, often associated with the Tabernacle. The staff Moses took was kept here, signifying its divine authority and purpose. 3. The StaffA symbol of God's power and authority, previously used by Moses to perform miracles, such as parting the Red Sea and bringing water from a rock. 4. The IsraelitesThe people of God, who were journeying through the wilderness towards the Promised Land. They were often characterized by their complaints and lack of faith. 5. The Wilderness of ZinThe geographical setting of this event, a desert area where the Israelites faced significant challenges, including a lack of water. Teaching Points Obedience to God's CommandsMoses' action of taking the staff as commanded demonstrates the importance of obedience to God's instructions. Believers are called to trust and obey God's Word, even when circumstances are challenging. Symbolism of the StaffThe staff represents God's authority and power. In our lives, we must recognize and submit to God's authority, trusting in His power to guide and provide for us. God's Provision in Difficult TimesJust as God provided water for the Israelites in the wilderness, He provides for our needs. We should trust in His provision and remain faithful, even in times of scarcity or trial. Learning from Past MistakesThe Israelites' repeated complaints and lack of faith serve as a warning. We should learn from their mistakes and strive to cultivate a heart of gratitude and trust in God. Bible Study Questions 1. How does Moses' obedience in taking the staff from the LORD's presence challenge us in our daily walk with God? 2. In what ways can the symbolism of the staff as a representation of God's authority be applied to our understanding of God's role in our lives? 3. Reflect on a time when you experienced God's provision in a difficult situation. How can this passage encourage you to trust God in future challenges? 4. How does the Israelites' behavior in the wilderness serve as a warning for us today? What steps can we take to avoid similar attitudes of unbelief and complaint? 5. How can the lessons from Numbers 20:9 be connected to the teachings in Hebrews 3 about faithfulness and obedience? What practical steps can we take to ensure we remain faithful to God? Connections to Other Scriptures Exodus 17This earlier event also involves Moses using his staff to bring water from a rock, highlighting a pattern of God providing for His people despite their complaints. Hebrews 3This New Testament passage reflects on the Israelites' unbelief and disobedience in the wilderness, urging believers to remain faithful and obedient to God. Psalm 95This psalm recalls the events in the wilderness, including the people's testing of God, and serves as a call to worship and obedience. People Aaron, Egyptians, Eleazar, Israelites, Miriam, MosesPlaces Edom, Egypt, Kadesh-barnea, King's Highway, Meribah, Mount Hor, ZinTopics Commanded, Lord's, Orders, Presence, Rod, Staff, TakethDictionary of Bible Themes Numbers 20:1-11 4278 spring of water Numbers 20:1-13 5924 quarrelsomeness Numbers 20:2-11 5580 thirst Numbers 20:2-12 5714 men Numbers 20:7-12 5072 Aaron, spokesman Numbers 20:7-13 4512 staff Numbers 20:8-12 5925 rashness Numbers 20:9-11 5883 impatience 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 20:9 NIVNumbers 20:9 NLTNumbers 20:9 ESVNumbers 20:9 NASBNumbers 20:9 KJV
Numbers 20:9 Commentaries
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