Numbers 20 opens with the people of Israel complaining again. They arrive in Kadesh and there is no water. Instead of asking Moses and Aaron to plead to God for water they complain about the lack of water and the conditions of the place.

Moses and Aaron go to the tent of meeting to meet God. God has them take the staff and instructs them to command the rock to yield water. They go to the rock and ask the people if they should bring water out of it. Then Moses strikes the rock twice and it brings forth water.

God punishes Moses and Aaron for not trusting him and showing his holiness by telling them that will not enter the Promised Land. It is hard to say whether it was the striking of the rock or the taking credit for bring water that is what God is talking about. Perhaps it is what God reads in their hearts that leads Him to give this punishment.

Moses approaches the king of Edom to ask for safe passage on the King’s Highway, a faster road to Canaan. The king refuses them safe passage so they went another way and arrive at Mount Hor.

God has Moses take Aaron and his son Eleazar up onto Mount Hor. Because Aaron is not going to enter the new land God transfers the priesthood from Aaron to Eleazar. Aaron dies on the top of the mountain. The people of Israel mourn for one month.

Numbers 21 opens with the Canaanite king of Arad, taking some of the Israelites prisoner. God allows the Israelites to triumph over the Canaanites.

The Israelites head toward the Red Sea to go around Edom and again the people complain against God and Moses. They say that they detest the manna God has provided. God sends poisonous serpents into the people and many die from the bites. The people recognize their sin and ask that God take away the serpents. God has Moses make a serpent of bronze and put it on a pole. When the people are bitten they look at the serpent and they live. This story is referred to in John 3 in a comparison with Jesus’ crucifixion.

The people wander around the wilderness near Moab. There is a reference to a Book of the Wars of the Lord and tales are told from there about their travels and the battles they fight and win along the way.

Acts 20 tells of several of the journeys of Paul. He is anxious to get to Jerusalem for Pentecost. Paul decides to avoid going to Ephesus but sends for the elders of the church and meets with them. He recounts his faithfulness in telling Jews and Greeks about repentance toward God and faith toward Jesus. He tells them that the Holy Spirit is warning of imprisonment and persecution for him. He knows that he will not return to Ephesus and encourages them to remain strong even though some will come to them who will try to lead them astray. He also encourages them toward generosity and blesses them. There is a tearful farewell and he goes to the ship.

There is a striking difference between these passages. The people of Israel and even Moses and Aaron continually have crises of faith. They complain rather than trust. They do things their way instead of obeying. And God punishes them for their disobedience. Paul, on the other hand, continues in faith despite the persecution. He move forward even though the way is full of perils. There is no word of complaint, only acceptance and encouragement to others to keep strong in the faith. Oh, that we would be more like Paul than Moses and the people of Israel.