Numbers 19-21

In Ch. 19, we read a lot more about the water of cleansing.  There were so many rituals and ordinances that had to be performed prior to making an unclean person, clean.
Chapter 20 brings in the story of Moses and the water from the rock.  Quite a turning point here for Moses.  All of the Israelites were complaining to Moses about the conditions they had to endure, especially that there was no water to drink.  They questioned why they even left Egypt to experience this.  Moses went to the Lord to ask for guidance.  God told him to take the staff and go to the rock.  In front of the community, he and Aaron are to speak to the rock and water will pour from it. 
Moses goes to the rock, calls the people, strikes the rock with the staff and water pours out.  Now, the Lord is very angry with Moses and Aaron.  Why?  Moses took credit for God's work and he overreacted by banging on the rock.  He did not trust in God enough to honor Him.  Because Moses and Aaron rebelled against the Lord, Aaron ended up dying.  At this point, it doesn't elaborate on how, just that Aaron died and the Israelites mourned. 
- A good lesson in giving God the credit for al of the gifts and abilities he has given to us.
Chapter 21  - The Israelites are still complaining and speaking out about God and Moses.  The Lord then sent poisonous snakes out among them and people started dying.  We've spent a lot of time reading about the different plagues that God has brought upon people who have sinned.  I really like a comment in a devotion that helped me understand.  God's compassion drives his punishments.  There have been many times lately that I feel discouraged about God's punishments among the sinners, but to be able to know that it is all done through compassion is so much more comforting.