“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.”
Context: The book of Numbers records the events that took place during the Israelites’ journey from Egypt to the Promised Land. In Numbers 20, the Israelites were in the wilderness of Zin and faced a water shortage. The people complained and quarreled with Moses and Aaron, expressing their desire to have died in Egypt or in the wilderness. Moses and Aaron sought God’s guidance, and He instructed Moses to gather the people and speak to a rock, and water would come out. However, Moses became angry with the people and struck the rock twice instead of speaking to it. As a result, God declared that neither Moses nor Aaron would enter the Promised Land.
Aaron’s gathering: In this verse, God informs Moses that Aaron, his brother, would be “gathered unto his people.” This phrase is a euphemism for death. It means that Aaron would die and join his ancestors in death. This was the consequence of Aaron’s disobedience at the water of Meribah.
The land withheld: God states that Aaron would not enter the land He had given to the children of Israel. The Promised Land was the inheritance God had promised to the Israelites, a land flowing with milk and honey. Despite being the high priest and leader of the Israelites, Aaron was not exempt from the consequences of his actions.
Rebellion at Meribah: The reason for Aaron’s exclusion from the Promised Land is identified as the rebellion against God’s word at the water of Meribah. The incident occurred in Numbers 20:7-13, where Moses and Aaron disobeyed God’s specific command. Instead of speaking to the rock as instructed, Moses struck the rock twice out of frustration with the people. This act of disobedience and lack of trust in God’s provision led to the severe consequences for both Moses and Aaron.
Lessons from Numbers 20:24:
- Obedience to God’s instructions: This verse serves as a reminder of the importance of obeying God’s commands. Even leaders and individuals with great responsibilities are accountable for their actions. We should strive to follow God’s guidance and instructions faithfully.
- The consequences of disobedience: Moses and Aaron’s failure to honor God’s specific command had significant consequences. It serves as a warning that disobedience can lead to missing out on God’s blessings and purposes in our lives.
- Accountability as leaders: Moses and Aaron, as leaders of the Israelites, were held to a higher standard. Leaders have a greater responsibility to lead by example and obey God’s instructions, as their actions can have a profound impact on those they lead.
- God’s justice and mercy: Though Aaron faced the consequence of not entering the Promised Land, it is important to remember that God is both just and merciful. The punishment was not arbitrary but a result of Aaron’s rebellion. However, God’s mercy and grace were also evident in allowing Aaron to serve as the high priest and witness many of the miraculous events during the Israelites’ journey.
Remember, studying the Bible involves diving deeper into the context, cross-referencing related passages, and seeking to apply the lessons learned to our lives today.
