Numbers 27:12-14

H. MOSES TO VIEW THE LAND OF PROMISE vv. 12-14
TEXT

Numbers 27:12. The Lord said to Moses, Get thee up into this mount Abarim, and see the land which I have given unto the children of Israel. 13. And when thou hast seen it, thou also shalt be gathered unto thy people, as Aaron thy brother was gathered. 14. For ye rebelled against my commandment in the desert of Zin, in the strife of the congregation, to sanctify me at the water before their eyes: that is the water of Meribah in Kadesh in the wilderness of Zin.

PARAPHRASE

Numbers 27:12. Then the Lord said to Moses, Go up to this mountain Abarim, and see the land which I have given unto the children of Israel. 13. And when you have seen it, you shall also be gathered unto your people, as Aaron your brother was; 14. for you rebelled against my commandment in the desert of Zin, in the strife of the assembly, to sanctify me at the water before their eyes: that is, the waters of Meribah in Kadesh, in the wildernss of Zin.

COMMENTARY

The Abarim, those on the other side, are mountains east of the Jordan near the northern tip of the Dead Sea. Moses was led here for the purpose of examining the land into which the people, but not he, would enter. The peak from which Moses looked is referred to as Pisgah or Nebo (Numbers 21:20, and Deuteronomy 34:1 ff.). From any of several such peaks in the areaand the exact identification of the individual peak is impossiblea commanding view may be had of the Jordan valley to the north, of the depression and environment of the Dead Sea to the south, and across the Jordan into the Judean hills.

Because of his part in the sin at Kadesh (here called a rebellion), Moses will not be permitted to cross the Jordan. He had been previously informed of this judgment (Numbers 20:12); it is here reaffirmed. God's authority and integrity must stand, therefore the punishment could not have been rescinded. Whereas we might wish some concession to have been made to Moses because of his greatness, or his usually adamant resistance to evil and to the enemies of God, or his splendid and heartwarming intercessory prayers for the people, the view is quite different from God's perspective: as leader of the people he had a primary obligation to adhere rigidly to the divine instructions under all circumstances, and punishment must be sure, fair and consistent upon the occasion of his disobedience. God could do nothing other than that which He did and be fair.

QUESTIONS AND RESEARCH ITEMS

503.

Identify Abarim. Why was this an ideal point from which Moses could view the Promised Land?

504.

In what sense could Moses-' actions at Meribah be called a rebellion?

505.

Explain why God did not revoke the punishment He had previously announced for Moses.

506.

Is it fair that a special weight should be attached to the sin of Moses?