Read the Modern Pastor’s Version

The children of Israel, including all their congregation, arrived in the wilderness of Zin at the beginning of the first month. They settled in Kadesh, where Miriam died and was buried.

A severe shortage of water plagued the people, and they grew desperate, gathering against Moses and Aaron with a chorus of complaints. "Why have you brought us out here to die?" they cried. "Would that we had perished when our brothers fell before the Lord! Why did you lead us into this desolate wilderness, where there is no seed, figs, vines, pomegranates, or water to drink?"

Moses and Aaron withdrew from the assembly and went to the entrance of the tabernacle. There they fell on their faces, and the glory of the Lord appeared to them. The Lord spoke to Moses, saying, "Take your staff and gather the people with Aaron. Command the rock in front of them to yield its water. Bring out water for the people to drink."

Moses took his staff from before the Lord as commanded. Alongside Aaron, he gathered the people at the foot of the mountain and asked, "Will we really bring you water out of this rock?" Moses lifted his hand and struck the rock twice with his staff, and a great flow of water poured forth, quenching the thirst of both the people and their animals.

The Lord rebuked Moses and Aaron for not trusting in His power to supply them. "Because you did not believe me before the Israelites," He said, "you will never lead this assembly into the Promised Land." This event became known as the waters of contention, for it was there that the people quarreled with the Lord.

Moses dispatched messengers to King Edom, pleading their case. "We are your brother Israel," they explained. "You know how we have suffered at the hands of the Egyptians and our time spent in slavery. When we cried out to the Lord, He sent an angel to deliver us from bondage." They requested safe passage through the king's land, promising not to consume his water or resources.

However, Edom refused their request, responding with a threat: "You shall not pass through my land; if you do, I will come out against you with swords." Undeterred, the Israelites offered a compromise, suggesting they would pay for any water they might use. Yet, Edom remained unwilling to accommodate them.

Consequently, the Israelites altered their route, bypassing Edom and continuing on to Mount Hor at the border of his territory. It was there that God delivered a solemn warning to Moses: "Aaron will be gathered to his people because he did not obey my word at Meribah."

To fulfill this decree, Moses and Aaron journeyed up Mount Hor alongside Eleazar, Aaron's son. There, Moses removed Aaron's garments, placing them on Eleazar as instructed by God. As the assembly watched in sorrow, Aaron passed away at the top of the mountain.

When the news reached the people below, they mourned for thirty days, with the entire community joining in their lamentation for their beloved leader Aaron.