Why have you brought the LORD's assembly into this wilderness for us and our livestock to die here? Why have you brought the LORD’s assemblyThis phrase reflects the Israelites' perception of their identity as a community chosen by God. The term "LORD's assembly" emphasizes their covenant relationship with Yahweh, who delivered them from Egypt. This question is directed at Moses and Aaron, highlighting their role as leaders. The assembly's complaint echoes previous instances of grumbling ( Exodus 16:2-3), showing a recurring pattern of doubt and lack of faith in God's provision. into this wilderness
The wilderness represents both a physical and spiritual testing ground. Geographically, the Israelites are in the Desert of Zin, a harsh and arid region. Spiritually, the wilderness is a place of trial and dependence on God, reminiscent of Jesus' temptation in the wilderness (Matthew 4:1-11). The wilderness journey is a formative period for Israel, intended to teach reliance on God (Deuteronomy 8:2-3). for us and our livestock to die here?
This phrase underscores the desperation and fear of the Israelites, who are concerned for their survival and that of their livestock, essential for their livelihood. Historically, livestock were vital for food, clothing, and sacrifices. The question implies a lack of trust in God's promise to bring them to a land flowing with milk and honey (Exodus 3:8). It also foreshadows the ultimate consequence of unbelief, as many in this generation would not enter the Promised Land (Numbers 14:29-30). This complaint can be seen as a type of Christ's suffering, where He faced death in obedience to God's will, contrasting the Israelites' fear of death due to lack of faith. Persons / Places / Events 1. Moses and AaronLeaders of the Israelites, responsible for guiding them through the wilderness. 2. The IsraelitesThe people of God, who are expressing their frustration and lack of faith in God's provision. 3. The Wilderness of ZinA desolate area where the Israelites are camped, highlighting their physical and spiritual challenges. 4. The LORD’s AssemblyRefers to the congregation of Israel, emphasizing their identity as God's chosen people. 5. The Event of ComplaintThe Israelites' grumbling against Moses and Aaron due to the lack of water, reflecting a recurring theme of doubt and rebellion. Teaching Points Trust in God's ProvisionDespite the challenging circumstances, believers are called to trust in God's faithfulness and provision, just as the Israelites were expected to do. The Danger of ComplainingComplaining can lead to a hardened heart and a lack of faith. Christians should cultivate gratitude and trust in God's plan. Leadership Under PressureMoses and Aaron faced immense pressure from the people. This highlights the need for leaders to rely on God for wisdom and strength in difficult times. The Importance of CommunityThe term "LORD’s assembly" reminds us of the importance of community in our faith journey. Believers should support and encourage one another, especially in times of trial. Learning from the PastThe Israelites' repeated failures serve as a cautionary tale. Christians should learn from these accounts to avoid similar pitfalls in their spiritual walk. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the Israelites' complaint in Numbers 20:4 reflect their spiritual state, and what can we learn from their attitude? 2. In what ways can we apply the lessons from the Israelites' experiences in the wilderness to our own lives today? 3. How can we, as a community of believers, support each other in times of spiritual drought or challenge? 4. What are some practical steps we can take to avoid a complaining spirit and cultivate gratitude in our daily lives? 5. How do the events in Numbers 20:4 connect with the warnings given in 1 Corinthians 10:1-11, and what actions can we take to heed these warnings? Connections to Other Scriptures Exodus 17:1-7This passage recounts a similar situation where the Israelites complained about the lack of water, showing a pattern of distrust in God's provision. Psalm 95:8-11This psalm warns against hardening hearts as the Israelites did in the wilderness, urging believers to trust in God. 1 Corinthians 10:1-11Paul uses the Israelites' experiences as a warning to the church, emphasizing the importance of learning from their mistakes. People Aaron, Egyptians, Eleazar, Israelites, Miriam, MosesPlaces Edom, Egypt, Kadesh-barnea, King's Highway, Meribah, Mount Hor, ZinTopics Animals, Assembly, Beasts, Cattle, Community, Congregation, Death, Desert, Die, Livestock, Lord's, Waste, WildernessDictionary of Bible Themes Numbers 20:1-4 7206 community Numbers 20:1-11 4278 spring of water Numbers 20:1-13 5924 quarrelsomeness Numbers 20:2-5 4458 grape
5928 resentment, against God Numbers 20:2-11 5580 thirst Numbers 20:2-12 5714 men Numbers 20:3-5 1418 miracles, responses 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 20:4 NIVNumbers 20:4 NLTNumbers 20:4 ESVNumbers 20:4 NASBNumbers 20:4 KJV
Numbers 20:4 Commentaries
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