Big Idea: Leaders’ plans fail and leaders die, but God’s work goes on.

Understanding the Text

Three things form obstacles to the goal of progress toward the promised land in Numbers 20: death, rebellion, and opposition. Numbers 20:1–13 shows that not only are there still voices of discontent and rebellion against Moses and Aaron, but also that Moses and Aaron themselves are not immune to falling into sin. As a result of their sin, they are told that neither of them will live to enter the land of promise.

Numbers 20:14–29 records the initial fulfillment of that pronouncement. The high priest Aaron dies at the end of this chapter (Num. 20:28–29), just as his sister has died at its beginning (Num. 20:1). A new leadership begins to appear as Eleazar replaces his father as high priest. Later…