Numbers 20:1

II. KADESH TO HESHBON (Numbers 20; Numbers 21)

A. DEATH OF MIRIAM Numbers 20:1

TEXT

Numbers 20:1. Then came the children of Israel, even the whole congregation, into the desert of Zin in the first month: and the people abode in Kadesh; and Miriam died there, and was buried there.

PARAPHRASE

Numbers 20:1. Then the children of Israel, the entire congregation, came into the wilderness of Zin in the first month, and the people stayed at Kadesh; and Miriam died there and was buried there.

COMMENTARY

Now the period of wandering has ended. Presumably, all those who had lived under the sentence of death outside of the Promised Land are either dead or will die within this, the fortieth year since leaving Egypt. Moses stresses the fact that it is the entire congregation which assembles at Kadesh. They may have touched in at this spot many times during the years of wandering, but now they are brought together for a clear purpose: the time has arrived to begin the last phase of their journey and to enter Canaan. Their last great decision had been reached herethat they would not follow Joshua and Caleb in claiming the Promised Land immediately after the spies had returned from their mission. A totally different attitude now seems to pervade the crowd with reference to coming into their assigned inheritance. But is far more than a simple brief trip due north, as geography would indicate. They face a long journey, through hostile country; they will be ungrateful, just as their fathers had been, for God's provisions; they will murmur when they are in trouble or in short supply of food or water; they will be brought into conflict with many armies among the countries they visit; they will yield to strong temptations in immorality and suffer the bitter consequences. Yet there is a great difference: at least a vast majority will rise to the occasion and their influence will dominate the nation. They will recognize the leading hand of the Lord and follow more willingly, They will be granted victory on the battlefield and physical necessities in the camp, It is a major turning point in their tempestuous history.
The very first incident related upon their return to Kadesh is the brief, almost casual, note of the death of Miriam. If this seems curt or indifferent, let the following facts be noted: Miriam had been far from exemplary on occasion; in the entire Bible, the deaths of very few women are noted at all; when the death of anyone is mentioned, it is ordinarily little more than a simple statement of the fact; her death appears to have been from natural causes, since there is no reason to associate the fact with any misconduct, past or present; the thrust of the account demands that we move forward, and undue or excessive details now would interrupt the flow of Moses-' account; and, finally, neither of her brothers was ultimately to enter Canaan, and all were excluded by their various offenses. Aaron would expire in the fifth month of the same year, while Moses-' death occurred almost at the close of the year. RCP adds that while Moses and Aaron died by the mouth of God, the phrase is not used here (p. 155).

QUESTIONS AND RESEARCH ITEMS

339.

Identify the Wilderness of Zin, establishing its borders on all sides. Distinguish this wilderness from the Wilderness of Sin.

340.

Can you give any reasonable explanation of the fact that so little is said of the wandering period?

341.

Why did the Israelites not simply march north from Kadesh into the Promised Land?

342.

Mention of Miriam's death seems almost casual. Why is it given so little attention? Discuss your answer.

343.

What evidence is there that we have now entered the fortieth year since the Exodus?

344.

Compute Miriam's age at the time of her death.