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The Death of Miriam

Text: Numbers 20
9 May 2016

THE DEATH OF MIRIAM

1. She died in the wilderness   (Numbers 20:1)

2. She was buried in Kadesh   (Numbers 20:1)

FIRST MONTH

1. Year not specified   (Numbers 20:1)

2. Some have suggested that it is a veiled reference to the 40th year

THE GRUMBLING OF THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL

1. The old water issue

2. The people gathered against Moses and Aaron

3. Their contention

“If only we had died when our brethren died before the LORD!
Why have you brought out the whole assembly of the LORD into this wilderness, That we and our animals should die here?
And why have you made us come up out of Egypt, to bring up to this evil place? It is not a place of grain or figs or vines or pomegranates; nor is there any water to drink.”   Numbers 20:3-5

RESPONSE OF MOSES AND AARON

1. They fell on their faces

2. Expression of deep humility and sorrow

THE GLORY OF THE LORD

1. This represents the Lord

2. His Presence was there

3. His glory appeared

GOD’S WORD TO MOSES

1. Take the rod

2. You and your brother gather the congregation together

3. Speak to the rock before their eyes

4. And it will yield its water

5. Thus you shall bring water for them out of the rock

6. And give drink to the congregation and their animals   (Numbers 20:8)

THE STRIKING OF THE ROD

1. Moses took the rod

2. He and Aaron gathered the people

3. Moses’ word to the children of Israel

a) Hear now, you rebels
b) Must we bring water for you out of this rock?   (Numbers 20:10)

4. Then Moses lifted up his hand and struck the rock twice with his rod

5. And water came out abundantly

6. And the congregation and their animals drank   (Numbers 20:11)

THE LORD’S REBUKE OF MOSES AND AARON

1. Because you did not believe Me

2. To hallow Me in the eyes of the children of Israel

3. Therefore you shall not bring this assembly into the land which I have given them   (Numbers 20:12)

THE WATERS OF MERIBAH

1. Meribah= Contention

2. The Lord was hallowed there   (Numbers 20:13)