In this episode Miriam died and was buried in Kadesh.

The people once again complain about water and asked Moses why he brought them out of Egypt into an evil place.

God told Moses to speak to a rock to bring forth water. But in anger Moses called the people rebels and struck the rock twice. And this displeased the Lord.

So Moses and Aaron were told they will not inherit the promised land.

We note this is the first time Moses allowed the children of Israel to provoke him to anger, causing him to disobey God.

Moses was tired of having the people accuse him of doing something wrong because he obeyed God’s voice and delivered them out of Egypt.

Plus his sister had died, and here the people were whining and complaining, bringing railing accusations against him, he had no time to properly mourn his sisters death.

He not only lost a sister but a fellow ministry partner. Miriam served with him daily, in the tabernacle. A fellow prophet, of the Lord was now gone. Never to be seen again on this side of the heavens.

God knew what Moses was going through but He would still hold him accountable for his disobedience.

Because ministers can’t let personal grief or problems lead to disobedience, or incite mistreatment of those they've been appointed to serve. They must rule over their spirit and avoid being provoked.

So it looks like not only were the people being tested and tried in the wilderness but so was Moses. He was in training for reigning in God’s eternal kingdom.

With this incident, Moses learned not to let the people provoke him to wrath. Because after this event, except for Christ, Moses is still known as the meekest man that ever walked the face of the earth.

Aaron also died in this chapter because he strove with the people, when they complained about water.

His time on earth as high priest over the children of Israel was over. He was stripped of his priestly garments and they were placed on his son Eleazar.

His life wasn’t perfect, he sinned by making the golden calf, leading the people into sin, he lost 2 sons, who were slain by the Lord, after they offered strange fire in the tabernacle. He was the victim of a smear campaign, by those who wanted his position. And now it was all over, he would be gathered to his people.

We note that, Psalms chapter 90 verse 12, says, teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.

If we number our days, and apply our hearts to wisdom. We will heed what Peter said, in 1 Peter chapter 1 verse 17 which says,"If you call on the Father, who without respect of persons judges according to every man’s work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear. For you have not been redeemed with corruptible things as silver and gold from your vain conversation from the traditions of your fathers but with the precious blood of Christ as a lamb without blemish and without spot".

Peter wants us to keep in mind that Jesus did not acquire possession of us with money.

He gained possession of our soul by dying.

Death is powerful, and someone who had the power of life within himself, had to die and be raised up to overcome it.

So Jesus died, he overcame death and now all souls belong to him.

And we are to use our time on earth living for the one who died for us.

Remembering there is a judgment day and the one who died to deliver us from the one who had the power of death, has the power to give us life or let us remain under the power of death.

Jesus said, in John 17 that God have him power over all flesh. So he can give eternal life to whoever God gives him. And God has given Him, everyone that believes his word.

Because Jesus loves those God gave Him, he prayed for them. In His prayer, he made it clear, he wasn’t praying for the world but those God gave him.

He said he prayed for them because they belonged to God. If we are out in the world under the influence of the evil one, we should take heed and come to abide in Christ.


John 17:1 These words spake Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee:

John 17:2 As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him.

John 17:3 And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.

John 17:4 I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do.

John 17:5 And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was.

John 17:6 I have manifested thy name unto the men which thou gavest me out of the world: thine they were, and thou gavest them me; and they have kept thy word.

John 17:7 Now they have known that all things whatsoever thou hast given me are of thee.

John 17:8 For I have given unto them the words which thou gavest me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came out from thee, and they have believed that thou didst send me.

John 17:9 I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine.

Jesus Christ, is the source of life and light.

John 1:4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men.

Whoever will be a part of the world, separates himself from the source of light and life. And when they die the light of life will go out, it will be extinguished forever because they refused to be joined to the source of light and life.


Job 18:5 Yea, the light of the wicked shall be put out, and the spark of his fire shall not shine.

Job 18:6 The light shall be dark in his tabernacle, and his candle shall be put out with him


Proverbs 24:20 For there shall be no reward to the evil man; the candle of the wicked shall be put out.