John Gill's Bible Commentary Ver. 2. And there was no water for the congregation , etc.] Which was so ordered, for the trial of this new generation, to see whether they would behave any better than their fathers had done in a like circumstance, the first year they came out of Egypt, ( Exodus 17:1-8) and they gathered themselves together against Moses and against Aaron ; just as their fathers had done before them, being of the like temper and disposition.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-13 - After thirty-eight years' tedious abode in the wilderness, the armie of Israel advanced towards Canaan again. There was no water for the congregation. We live in a wanting world, and wherever we are, mus expect to meet with something to put us out. It is a great mercy to have plenty of water, a mercy which, if we found the want of, we shoul more own the worth of. Hereupon they murmured against Moses and Aaron They spake the same absurd and brutish language their fathers had done It made their crime the worse, that they had smarted so long for the discontent and distrusts of their fathers, yet they venture in the sam steps. Moses must again, in God's name, command water out of a rock for them; God is as able as ever to supply his people with what is needfu for them. But Moses and Aaron acted wrong. They took much of the glor of this work of wonder to themselves; "Must we fetch water?" As if it were done by some power or worthiness of their own. They were to spea to the rock, but they smote it. Therefore it is charged upon them, tha they did not sanctify God, that is, they did not give to him alone tha glory of this miracle which was due unto his name. And being provoke by the people, Moses spake unadvisedly with his lips. The same pride of man would still usurp the office of the appointed Mediator; and becom to ourselves wisdom, righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption Such a state of sinful independence, such a rebellion of the sou against its Saviour, the voice of God condemns in every page of the gospel.
Original Hebrew ולא3808 היה1961 מים4325 לעדה5712 ויקהלו6950 על5921 משׁה4872 ועל5921 אהרן׃175
