Day 57 · Part 4: The Wilderness

Water from the Rock · The Bronze Snake

Num 18–21 · 118 verses

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In the Story

In context

Numbers 18–19 set out how the priests and Levites would live. They would own no land, for “I am your portion and your inheritance”; Israel’s tithe went to the Levites, and the Levites gave a tenth of it to the priests (Numbers 18:20–28). The ashes of a red heifer, mixed with running water, made clean anyone who had touched a dead body (Numbers 19:1–19).

Chapter 20 brings the story near the end of the forty years: Aaron died on Mount Hor “in the fortieth year” (Numbers 33:38). At Kadesh, with no water, the people quarreled again. The Lord told Moses to speak to the rock; Moses called the people rebels and struck the rock twice. Water poured out, but because Moses and Aaron “didn’t believe in me,” they would not bring the people into the land (Numbers 20:2–13). Edom, descended from Jacob’s brother Esau, refused to let Israel pass (Numbers 20:14–21; Genesis 36:1).

When the people complained again, venomous snakes bit them, and many died. Moses made a bronze snake on a pole, and whoever looked at it lived (Numbers 21:4–9). Centuries later King Hezekiah broke it to pieces, because people were burning incense to it (2 Kings 18:4). Last come battles east of the Jordan: Israel defeated Sihon, and Og and his people, leaving none alive (Numbers 21:21–35).

A word of hope

As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only born Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life.

John 3:14–16 · Jesus compares his own lifting up to the bronze snake Moses set on a pole, which those who were bitten looked at and lived.

For families

In one chapter Moses lost his sister and his brother. Miriam died at Kadesh (Numbers 20:1). On Mount Hor, Moses took Aaron’s priestly clothes and put them on Aaron’s son Eleazar; then Aaron died, at 123, and all Israel wept for him thirty days (Numbers 20:25–29; 33:39).

Aaron’s clothes were passed down to his son. What has been handed down in your family, or what would you like to hand down?

In the Bible

World English Bible, as published by eBible.org (public domain).

A hymn for today

The Old Rugged Cross · words by George Bennard

Organ and orchestra: an introduction, then each of the 4 verses. Tap a verse’s number to start there.

On a hill far away stood an old rugged cross,The emblem of suff'ring and shame;And I love that old cross where the dearest and bestFor a world of lost sinners was slain.
RefrainSo I'll cherish the old rugged cross,Till my trophies at last I lay down;I will cling to the old rugged cross,And exchange it some day for a crown.
O that old rugged cross, so despised by the world,Has a wondrous attraction for me;For the dear Lamb of God left His glory aboveTo bear it to dark Calvary.
RefrainSo I'll cherish the old rugged cross,Till my trophies at last I lay down;I will cling to the old rugged cross,And exchange it some day for a crown.
In the old rugged cross, stained with blood so divine,A wondrous beauty I see,For 'twas on that old cross Jesus suffered and died,To pardon and sanctify me.
RefrainSo I'll cherish the old rugged cross,Till my trophies at last I lay down;I will cling to the old rugged cross,And exchange it some day for a crown.
To the old rugged cross I will ever be true;Its shame and reproach gladly bear;Then He'll call me some day to my home far away,Where His glory forever I'll share.
RefrainSo I'll cherish the old rugged cross,Till my trophies at last I lay down;I will cling to the old rugged cross,And exchange it some day for a crown.