20:14-21
Having had rebellion and disobedience of various levels within Israel, i.e. from the people, some Levites, Aaron and Miriam and then Moses himself, we now get disobedience from outside Israel, namely Edom. Edom was closely related to Israel, having descended from Esau. Moses sends a message to Kadesh, the king of Edom, outlining the history of Israel and asking for safe passage through Edom. Edom refused. Various concessions were offered by Israel, but these were all refused as well. So Israel went a different way.
20:22-29
Miriam had died earlier and now Aaron dies. Indeed the chapter is bookended by the two deaths. The Lord speaks to Moses about the death of Aaron, and it is said in quite a controlled way. Aaron’s priestly role is passed on to his son Eleazar. All this was done on Mount Hor and all the people saw. So they knew that the priestly role had been passed on, and that Aaron died. There was thirty days of “official mourning”.
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