THE SINS OF MOSES AND AARON

So Moses took the rod from before the LORD, just as He had commanded him; and Moses and Aaron gathered the assembly before the rock. Moses said to them, “Listen now, you rebels; must we bring you water out of this rock?”Then Moses raised his hand [in anger] and with his rod he struck the rock twice [instead of speaking to the rock as the LORD had commanded]. And the water poured out abundantly, and the congregation and their livestock drank [fresh water].

MOSES INTERCEDES FOR THE PEOPLE

Moses Intercedes for the People. But Moses said to the LORD, “Then the Egyptians will hear of it, for by Your strength You brought up these people from among them, and they will tell it to the inhabitants of this land. They have heard that You, LORD, are among these people [of Israel], that You, LORD, are seen face to face, while Your cloud stands over them; and that You go before them in a pillar of cloud by day and in a pillar of fire by night.

THE MAJORITY AND MINORITY REPORTS

The majority and minority reports. Then Caleb quieted the people before Moses, and said, “Let us go up at once and take possession of it; for we will certainly conquer it. “But the men who had gone up with him said, “We are not able to go up against the people [of Canaan], for they are too strong for us.”

MIRIAM AND AARON OPPOSE MOSES

Miriam and Aaron Oppose Moses. Now Miriam and Aaron spoke against Moses because of the Cushite woman whom he had married (for he had married a Cushite woman); and they said, “Has the LORD really spoken only through Moses? Has He not spoken also through us?” And the LORD heard i