Numbers 20 (v1-13), Moses’ Failure in Leadership

There are several matters of interest in this chapter.

·       First is the death of Miriam (20:1).  Last is the death of Aaron (20:22-29).  In between is the failure of Moses (20:2-13).  Thus, we learn that none of these three would enter the land.

·       There is a “geographical” issue.  In 20:1 the people had come to the Wilderness of Zin and stayed in Kadesh, on the border of Edom (20:16).  In Num. 13:26 Kadesh (Kadesh Barnea), was in the Wilderness of Paran.  How do we reconcile this?

o   Easton’s Bible Dictionary suggests they are the same, and that the people basically stayed the additional 38 years around the area of Kadesh, coming back to it in Ch. 20.  Easton also notes many have connected it to Ain El-Kadeis, about 12 miles east-south-east of Beersheba.  This view ignores the different Wilderness area designations.  Furthermore, the area near Beersheba is not on the border of Edom which is much further east.

o   Smith’s Dictionary has a lengthier discussion, acknowledging there has been much doubt as to the exact site of Kadesh.  Nevertheless, he also speaks at length of Ain Kadis as the site, but identifying it as 40 miles south of Beersheba.  He also suggests the possibility that Kadesh (which in Hebrew is the word for holy) is an area, and that Kadesh-Barnea (where Israel refused to enter the land) and Kadesh-Meribah in this chapter (20:13) were specific locations.  He also conjectures that Zin is but a part of the great desert of Paran. 

o   The thought that there were two places named Kadesh should not be dismissed.  There were actually other cities by that name, one in the Galilee and another, a noted Hittite city in Syria.  On the map from The Bible Atlas (online) we would suggest that alternate route #2 makes sense with the Biblical text.  We will come back to this in Num. 33 where there is a list of Israel’s desert campsites.

·       Another question has to do with the location of Mt. Hor where Aaron died.  The map shows a location slightly NE of Kadesh Barnea, but with a question mark.  There is also a mountain closer to Edom, in a range of mountains that runs from the east side of the Dead Sea south through Edom.  (See photo below.)

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Concerning the failure of Moses, it would be quite easy to make excuses for him.  He had been the faithful shepherd, interceding often for the stiff-necked people of Israel.  But leadership is a critical matter in any nation or organization or church. Further, remember that the LORD spoke to Moses as a man speaks to his friend.  But the LORD was clear with Moses, that you did not believe Me to hallow Me in the eyes of the children of Israel (v12). 

·       One other record has to do with Edom’s refusal to allow his “brother” Jacob to pass through his land (20:14-21).  Edom refused permission, an act of unkindness that will be remembered and brought up at a later time (Judges 11:16-17).  I mention this so we understand that these are real events and accurate geography.