Welcome back to our in-depth Bible study. We are quickly approaching the end of the book of Numbers. Join me in Father’s word.
Numbers 20:21
21 Thus Edom refused to give Israel passage through his border: wherefore Israel turned away from him.
22 And the children of Israel, even the whole congregation, journeyed from Kadesh, and came unto mount Hor.
23 And the LORD spake unto Moses and Aaron in mount Hor, by the coast of the land of Edom, saying,
24 Aaron shall be gathered unto his people: for he shall not enter into the land which I have given unto the children of Israel, because ye rebelled against my word at the water of Meribah.
25 Take Aaron and Eleazar his son, and bring them up unto mount Hor:
26 And strip Aaron of his garments, and put them upon Eleazar his son: and Aaron shall be gathered unto his people, and shall die there.
27 And Moses did as the LORD commanded: and they went up into mount Hor in the sight of all the congregation.
28 And Moses stripped Aaron of his garments, and put them upon Eleazar his son; and Aaron died there in the top of the mount: and Moses and Eleazar came down from the mount.
29 And when all the congregation saw that Aaron was dead, they mourned for Aaron thirty days, even all the house of Israel.
Numbers 21
1 And when king Arad the Canaanite, which dwelt in the south, heard tell that Israel came by the way of the spies; then he fought against Israel, and took some of them prisoners.
2 And Israel vowed a vow unto the LORD, and said, If thou wilt indeed deliver this people into my hand, then I will utterly destroy their cities.
3 And the LORD hearkened to the voice of Israel, and delivered up the Canaanites; and they utterly destroyed them and their cities: and he called the name of the place Hormah.
4 And they journeyed from mount Hor by the way of the Red sea, to compass the land of Edom: and the soul of the people was much discouraged because of the way.
5 And the people spake against God, and against Moses, Wherefore have ye brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? for there is no bread, neither is there any water; and our soul loatheth this light bread.
6 And the LORD sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people; and much people of Israel died.
7 Therefore the people came to Moses, and said, We have sinned, for we have spoken against the LORD, and against thee; pray unto the LORD, that he take away the serpents from us. And Moses prayed for the people.
8 And the LORD said unto Moses, Make thee a fiery serpent, and set it upon a pole: and it shall come to pass, that every one that is bitten, when he looketh upon it, shall live.
9 And Moses made a serpent of brass, and put it upon a pole, and it came to pass, that if a serpent had bitten any man, when he beheld the serpent of brass, he lived.
10 And the children of Israel set forward, and pitched in Oboth.
11 And they journeyed from Oboth, and pitched at Ijeabarim, in the wilderness which is before Moab, toward the sunrising.
12 From thence they removed, and pitched in the valley of Zared.
13 From thence they removed, and pitched on the other side of Arnon, which is in the wilderness that cometh out of the coasts of the Amorites: for Arnon is the border of Moab, between Moab and the Amorites.
14 Wherefore it is said in the book of the wars of the LORD, What he did in the Red sea, and in the brooks of Arnon,
15 And at the stream of the brooks that goeth down to the dwelling of Ar, and lieth upon the border of Moab.
16 And from thence they went to Beer: that is the well whereof the LORD spake unto Moses, Gather the people together, and I will give them water.
17 Then Israel sang this song, Spring up, O well; sing ye unto it:
18 The princes digged the well, the nobles of the people digged it, by the direction of the lawgiver, with their staves. And from the wilderness they went to Mattanah:
19 And from Mattanah to Nahaliel: and from Nahaliel to Bamoth:
20 And from Bamoth in the valley, that is in the country of Moab, to the top of Pisgah, which looketh toward Jeshimon.
21 And Israel sent messengers unto Sihon king of the Amorites, saying,
22 Let me pass through thy land: we will not turn into the fields, or into the vineyards; we will not drink of the waters of the well: but we will go along by the king’s high way, until we be past thy borders.
23 And Sihon would not suffer Israel to pass through his border: but Sihon gathered all his people together, and went out against Israel into the wilderness: and he came to Jahaz, and fought against Israel.
24 And Israel smote him with the edge of the sword, and possessed his land from Arnon unto Jabbok, even unto the children of Ammon: for the border of the children of Ammon was strong.
Thank you for joining me and God bless.
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What a pivotal passage! Aaron’s death on Mount Hor really marks the end of an era – thirty days of mourning shows how beloved he was.
The bronze serpent story is wild – complain, get bitten by snakes, repent, look up at a bronze snake to be healed. Talk about object lessons! Jesus later referenced this one too.
Love the contrast: Edom says “no passage” so Israel goes around. Sihon says “no passage” and gets conquered. Sometimes God redirects, sometimes He says “go through them!”
The geographical journey shows God’s methodical plan even when the route looks crazy from ground level.
Which part hit you most in your study?❤️
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Thank you for your comment!
I have always found it fascinating that Aaron and Moses were not permitted to go into the Promised Land. That is one aspect that has always stuck with me about this story as a whole.
The bronze serpent was indeed a wild story. I read this as God attempting once again to tell his people “TRUST IN ME”. As if the guiding pillars, manna, pheasants and Miriam’s leprosy wasn’t enough already. Not that I am judging them, I myself could have very possibly been amongst the murmuring lips if I was in their shoes, though I hope not. This to me, shows God is long suffering and incredibly patient. It showcases God’s love and compassion and Him once again chastising His children in hopes they will listen. The bronze serpent story is a reminder that ultimately God is in control and life’s easier when we follow His rules. We all sin and fall short, no doubt, but how often do we doubt His love and dedication to us as His children?
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# Great Point About Trust
You nailed it with Aaron and Moses not entering the Promised Land—that always hits hard after everything they went through.
And yes, the bronze serpent was definitely another “TRUST IN ME” moment. After all those miracles, the people still struggled with faith. Your honesty about possibly being among the complainers is refreshing—most of us would’ve been grumbling by day three without modern conveniences, let alone decades in the desert.
That pattern of God’s patient love despite our doubt really is the gospel in action. He keeps giving us ways back to Him even when we’re stubborn. The bronze serpent pointing to Christ makes it even more beautiful.
Your question about doubting His love really resonates. We have the whole story and still struggle with trust in our own wilderness moments. Thanks for the thoughtful reflection—good reminder that God’s patience hasn’t changed.
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Thank you for taking the time to comment and for following along with my Bible studies. Have a great day and God bless!
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