THE SIN OF MOSES AND AARON Lesson 9 for the 28th of November, 2009

THE END OF PILGRIMAGE After almost 40 years of wandering through the desert, the Israelites returned to the initial point: Kadesh.

Was there another moment where the same complaint was expressed? When the sons of those who didn’t want to enter Canaan had no water, they complained before Moses and Aaron: “We would rather die with the rebels than being thirsty”. “God carried us to the desert to die”. “God freed us from Egypt, but He didn’t give us the Promised Land”. Was there another moment where the same complaint was expressed?

Are you full of complaints are you moving forward by faith? We are very close to celestial Canaan, waiting for the final fulfilment of His promises. “Therefore, since the promise of entering his rest still stands, let us be careful that none of you be found to have fallen short of it” (Hebrews, 4: 1) How is your wait? Are you full of complaints or are you moving forward by faith?

Do you follow God’s plans or do you think that your plans are better? At first, Moses and Aaron reacted to it like always, consulting God. But this time they didn’t follow His instructions nor gave Him the glory. They hit the rock and they attributed the glory of taking water out of it to themselves. Do you follow God’s plans or do you think that your plans are better?

Before entering Canaan, the leaders who took the people out of Egypt were replaced by new leaders. Those leaders were chosen by God, too. NEW LEADERS Mary died in Kadesh when she was about 132 years old. Mariah had the gift of prophecy; she helped in freeing the Hebrew. She had strength of character, self-control and tact. She was gifted with artistic ability (poetry and music). She held the second position (after Moses and Aaron) in the people’s affection and in the honours given by God. (Read “Patriarchs and Prophets”, chapter 33)

Are you ready to support and let the new leaders work in the Church? AARON He died at the age of 123, on Mount Hor, 40 years after leaving Egypt, on the first day of the fifth month (Numbers, 33: 38-39) Eleazar (his son) was dressed with the clothes of the high priest and replace him. MOSES He died at the age of 120, on Mount Nebo, near Jericho. His eyes were not weak nor his strength gone (Deuteronomy, 34: 7) Moses laid his hands on Joshua in the presence of the people, so he took up his position. Moses and Aaron couldn’t enter the Promised Land because of their sin, hitting the rock instead of talking to it (honouring them selves, instead of honouring God). God cannot pass over the sin.

God remove His protection from the people because of a new complaint about manna. NEW REBELLION As a result of that, they were attacked by poisonous snakes. Unlike their parents, they admitted their sin and ask for divine forgiveness.

Everyone who looked at the snake lived. NEW REBELLION God provided a mean of salvation in His mercy; a bronze snake rose on a pole to be visible from every corner of the camp. Everyone who looked at the snake lived.

Are you looking at Christ to receive comfort, healing and strength? “Look to Me, and be saved, All you ends of the earth!” (Isaiah, 45: 22) “Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the desert, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life” (John, 3: 14-15)

NEW CONQUEST They asked Edom for permission to go through his territory. He refused. God didn’t allow His people to attack them, as they were descendant of Esau. They defeated the Canaanites from Arad. They bought provisions in Edom (Deuteronomy, 2: 28, 29). Arad EDOM Kadesh Barnea

NEW CONQUEST They passed by Moab’s territory, but they didn’t attack them because they were descendants of Lot. They bought provisions from them, too (Deuteronomy, 2: 28, 29) MOAB Arad EDOM Kadesh Barnea

NEW CONQUEST Israel sent ambassadors to Sihon the Amorite (the king of Heshbon) from Mount Pisgah, in order to let them pass through His territory. He refused, so God let His people attack him and they defeated him. They conquered the territory from the River Arnon to the River Jabbok. Jabbok HESHBON Pisgah Arnón MOAB Arad EDOM Kadesh Barnea

NEW CONQUEST They conquered the villages of Jazer from the Amorites. They fought against Og the king of Bashan. God told them: “Do not be afraid of him, for I have handed him over to you, with his whole army and his land” (Numbers, 21: 34) They took possession of his land. The conquest of Canaan began. BASHAN Jabbok Jazer HESHBON Pisgah Arnón MOAB Arad EDOM Kadesh Barnea

“In their contest with Og and Sihon the people were brought to the same test beneath which their fathers had so signally failed. But the trial was now far more severe than when God had commanded Israel to go forward. The difficulties in their way had greatly increased since they refused to advance when bidden to do so in the name of the Lord. It is thus that God still tests His people. And if they fail to endure the trial, He brings them again to the same point, and the second time the trial will come closer, and be more severe than the preceding. This is continued until they bear the test, or, if they are still rebellious, God withdraws His light from them and leaves them in darkness” E.G.W. (Patriarchs and Prophets, cp. 39, page. 437)

LET JESUS GUIDE YOU TO THE NEW CANAAN