Miriam dies; Moses strikes the rock at Meribah
Numbers 20:1–13; Psalm 106:32–33
Back at Kadesh, Miriam died; when the people complained about water, Moses struck the rock in anger instead of speaking to it, and God barred him from entering Canaan.
Yahweh said to Moses and Aaron, “Because you didn’t believe in me, to sanctify me in the eyes of the children of Israel, therefore you shall not bring this assembly into the land which I have given them.”
Numbers 20:12 (World English Bible)
God told Moses to speak to the rock. Instead Moses, exasperated with the people, said “shall we bring water out of this rock for you?” and struck it twice. Water still flowed, but God said Moses and Aaron had failed to honor him as holy before the people.
It's a hard verdict on a faithful man, and a reminder that leaders are held to a high standard.
Places
Dating notes
The first month of the 40th year (Numbers 20:1; 33:36–38), 1452 BC in Ussher.