FAITHFUL BUT FLAWED
Opening Prayer
Give thanks for Jesus, our perfect High Priest, who died for you, and today lives to intercede for you (Heb. 7:23–28).
Read Numbers 20:14–29
Edom Denies Israel Passage
14 Moses sent messengers from Kadesh to the king of Edom, saying:
“This is what your brother Israel says: You know about all the hardships that have come on us. 15 Our ancestors went down into Egypt, and we lived there many years. The Egyptians mistreated us and our ancestors, 16 but when we cried out to the Lord, he heard our cry and sent an angel and brought us out of Egypt.
“Now we are here at Kadesh, a town on the edge of your territory. 17 Please let us pass through your country. We will not go through any field or vineyard, or drink water from any well. We will travel along the King’s Highway and not turn to the right or to the left until we have passed through your territory.”
18 But Edom answered:
“You may not pass through here; if you try, we will march out and attack you with the sword.”
19 The Israelites replied:
“We will go along the main road, and if we or our livestock drink any of your water, we will pay for it. We only want to pass through on foot—nothing else.”
20 Again they answered:
“You may not pass through.”
Then Edom came out against them with a large and powerful army. 21 Since Edom refused to let them go through their territory, Israel turned away from them.
The Death of Aaron
22 The whole Israelite community set out from Kadesh and came to Mount Hor. 23 At Mount Hor, near the border of Edom, the Lord said to Moses and Aaron, 24 “Aaron will be gathered to his people. He will not enter the land I give the Israelites, because both of you rebelled against my command at the waters of Meribah. 25 Get Aaron and his son Eleazar and take them up Mount Hor. 26 Remove Aaron’s garments and put them on his son Eleazar, for Aaron will be gathered to his people; he will die there.”
27 Moses did as the Lord commanded: They went up Mount Hor in the sight of the whole community. 28 Moses removed Aaron’s garments and put them on his son Eleazar. And Aaron died there on top of the mountain. Then Moses and Eleazar came down from the mountain, 29 and when the whole community learned that Aaron had died, all the Israelites mourned for him thirty days.
New International Version (NIV)
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
Why do we so often try to rely on our own track record with God?Numbers 20 began with the death of Miriam (1). By verse 12 we find that Moses and Aaron will also die. And here, Aaron dies. The death of Aaron is important because the high priest is important. He is the mediator between God and his people. He brings the sin offerings of the people to a holy God. The life of the nation depends on him doing his ministry faithfully.
And mostly, Aaron was faithful. So at the death of Israel’s first high priest, you’d expect an obituary. You’d expect to hear some of the high points of his career, like the times he confronted Pharaoh (Exod. 7–10), together with some of his low points, such as forging the golden calf (Exod. 32).
But only one thing is recorded: Aaron dies because of his disobedience at Meribah (24). Just like the rest of his generation, he will die in the wilderness and will not enter the Promised Land.
Now, God is gracious in ensuring there will always be a high priest to make sin offerings for the people (26). But there is a sad sense that, if even the high priests are imperfect and sinful and limited and flawed, the people may never really be safe with this God.
Apply
Has a trusted leader ever failed you? How did that impact your faith in God? Remember today that God is the perfect leader who will never fail.
Closing prayer
Give thanks that what matters is not your faithfulness today, but God’s.
Click here to sign up to receive the EXTRAs via email each quarter.
© 2024 Scripture Union U.S.A. All rights reserved. Reproduction of the whole or any part of the contents without written permission is prohibited.
Discovery is published in the USA under license from Scripture Union England and Wales, Trinity House, Opal Court, Opal Drive, Fox Milne, Milton Keynes, MK15 0DF.