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.
You rebelled against my command in the desert of Zin when the people were arguing with you. You failed to honor me as holy before their eyes at the water spring. This happened at the waters of Meribah in Kadesh, in the wilderness of Zin.
God is reminding Moses and Aaron that they disobeyed Him at a crucial moment when they should have shown the people God's holiness.
📚 Historical Context
In the Desert of Zin, the Israelites were facing a severe water shortage and complained bitterly to Moses and Aaron during their wilderness wanderings. God instructed Moses to speak to a rock to produce water as a miraculous sign, but Moses instead struck the rock twice in anger, which was interpreted as disobedience and a failure to honor God fully before the people. This incident at Meribah in Kadesh became a pivotal moment, leading to God's decree that Moses and Aaron would not enter the Promised Land.
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