Bible Commentaries
Numbers 20

Verses 1-29

We now reach the record of events at the close of the forty years. The people were again at Kadesh. Here Miriam died and was buried. A study of the district will show that perhaps the severest part of their wandering was reached. They were again without water and murmured against Moses and Aaron. It is remarkable that there was no divine punishment, but God graciously supplied their need. The conspicuous failure at this point was Moses' failure. In the moment of God's gracious action he was ungracious in his attitude toward the people.

Because of this breakdown he was eventually excluded from the land.

It was at this point in their history that Aaron died. The account of the transference of his robes of office to his son is that of a solemn and impressive ceremony. The people were reminded that the office of the priesthood was greater than the man. Aaron passed; the priesthood remained. So it continued until at last in the fullness of time there came the Priest who retains the office in the power of an unending life. The death of Aaron was in itself a reminder of the present imperfection of the relationship of the people to God. Nevertheless, the transference of office by divine appointment spoke in no uncertain tones of the abiding tenderness of God and of His provision for the people's access to Him.