6.22.26 – Two Generations: Two Different Mindsets

 Over the past few weeks of study, we have watched God's people complain again and again, and we keep asking: How can they still complain after everything God has done for them? Good question, Sherlock.

But this week, it gets even stranger, because we have actually heard these exact complaints before—many times. They moaned about food and water three times in Exodus, and then they cried over food again earlier in Numbers. Do they not see that each time they cry out to God, He provides for them? Should they not have learned their lesson by now? If they have run out of water, they should not whine—they should pray. God has not let them down yet. Did they forget that God has always taken care of them?

And after this chutzpah, you would assume God would be angry. Enough already—stop complaining! But shockingly, God gives in to their complaint. He tells Moses to supply the people with water, as if Israel's complaining were justified. What is going on?

I think the key to unlocking this mystery may lie in the context of this story. Last week's parsha, Korach, ended on a somber note. After sinning over and over, Israel finally accepted their fate. They said to Moses: "Look, we are going to perish, we are lost, we are all lost" (Num. 17:12). Those are the last words of the last generation—sad words. The next story actually takes place forty years later. Now, the people of Israel are a new people, Generation B. They were not the ones who complained any of the earlier times.

The previous generation struggled with the challenges of relying on God. That is why they complained so much—they were scared to give up control and rely completely on God. They failed, and God decided they would not enter the land of Israel. But now we have Generation B, who gets to start from scratch. They have to learn the lesson their parents never did: that all they have is from God, and they must trust Him completely. Can they do it?

It seems to start off tragically. In the very first story featuring Generation B, the people argued with Moses: "Moses, why have you taken us out of Egypt to bring us to this evil place?" Reading this, we are so disappointed. This is exactly how Generation A sinned. It seems like Generation B will replay their parents' sin, trying to control their own fate and not trusting God to take care of them.

But it is not too late for them. Just as God gave Generation A several chances to learn their lesson—at least ten—God will give Generation B several chances too. Maybe Generation B will understand what their parents could not: that Israel must cede control and completely put their trust in God. So God does not punish or chastise Generation B for complaining; He uses this moment to provide for them. He instructs Moses to speak to the rock so it will supply water to the whole nation, nudging the people: "Do not worry. I am here for you. Trust Me, and I will take care of you forever." And now, we are left hanging. Will it work? Will the people learn the lesson their parents never did?

The next story seems to give us the answer. The Canaanite king of Arad heard Israel was coming, and he waged war against them and took captives (Num. 21:1). The people of Israel are in dire straits—they are in battle with a nation far mightier than their own, and some have already been taken captive. What are they to do? They have a precedent to look to. Thirty-eight and a half years ago, when their parents considered fighting the Canaanite nations after the report of the spies, they lost it. They mourned their fate, lost faith in God, and complained to Moses and Aaron that they even wanted to return to Egypt rather than enter the land (Num. 14). Now their children face an even worse situation—not a future clash with Canaan, but an active battle they are losing. If Generation B is anything like Generation A, now would be the perfect time to lose resolve.

But look at what happens next. Israel made a vow to God, saying: "If You deliver this nation into our hands, we will take the spoils of these cities and dedicate them to You" (Num. 21:2). This is a groundbreaking moment. They do not whine about their circumstances. They do not throw up their hands and say, "Let us go back to Egypt!" They approach God and say, "Please help us."

And, come to think of it, who is glaringly missing from this narrative? Moses. They do not complain to Moses, they do not blame him, as they did in Korah and when they lacked water. The people turn directly to God. They finally recognize that their failure or success depends on God alone. It seems that Generation B succeeded. They learned the lesson their parents never did. Because look at what happens next: God heard Israel's voice and delivered Canaan into their hands (Num. 21:3). God listened and took care of them, as He always promised to do, as long as they trust Him.

It really feels like the tides of Bamidbar are turning. Until now, the stories have been disastrous and tragic. Over and over, the people sinned by pushing God out of the picture, and each time they faced calamitous consequences. But Generation B is figuring it out. The people are coming closer and closer to God, making Him front and center. In return, God helps them defeat the superior Canaanite army.

But then, disaster strikes. The people start travelling again, and they speak with God and Moses: "Why have you brought us out of Egypt to die in the desert, for we have no bread or water?" (Num. 21:5). What? Again? After Generation B finally recognized God and got the message, they are back to complaining and acting like Generation A! How is this possible?

But look again at the first line, because maybe it is not the same as Generation A. Their speaking to God was different—they spoke (dabar), they had a conversation. In the past, we saw the people complained, argued, or fought. But now, they spoke. Already, something is different. They are complaining, yes, but it seems to be a lesser form. And something else is different. In their complaints, Generation A always spoke to Moses and did not communicate directly with God. But here, with Generation B, the people do not just turn to Moses. Yes, they turn to him as their leader, but first and foremost, they turn to God. The trend that started in the battle with Canaan continues: they are recognizing God and communicating with Him.

But while the people properly channeled their issues to God, they still did complain. And while they spoke with God, they still included Moses instead of speaking with God alone. As a result, "the LORD sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people, and many people of Israel died." So how do the people respond? Again, they are tested. Will Generation B respond the way their parents did? Or will they acknowledge that they messed up?

Look what they do: The people came to Moses and said, "We have sinned. We have spoken against God and against you." And they continue: "Moses, pray to God and have Him remove the snakes from us" (Num. 21:7)!

Generation B did what their parents could not—they see that God is in control. But while they recognized that they sinned, they made the same mistake again. They asked Moses to pray to God for them. They should have cried out to God directly, like they did after the war in the previous story. So God does acquiesce to the people, but He does not stop the plague or remove the snakes. He tells Moses to do something odd: "Make a fiery serpent and place it on a pole, a neis; anyone who was bitten can look at it and live" (Num. 21:8).

Does that remind you of anything? Where else have we seen something raised up by Moses that brought national divine protection from an attack? Back in Exodus, when Generation A battled Amalek (Ex. 17), Israel succeeded only as long as Moses kept his hands raised to God (Ex. 17:11–12)—as if to say, as long as the people recognize that their strength—everything—comes from God, they will actually have that strength. Now Generation B experiences the same thing. In this story, they are slowly learning that God is their strength, that all they have comes from Him. God caps it by reinforcing that point: as long as you look up and recognize that your successes and failures, your sustenance and guidance, all source back to Me, you will be fine. I will take care of you.

This week's study, Chukat, marks a turning point in the history of Israel. Generally, when we read Numbers, we focus on failures—Israel's complaints, Moses' tragic mistake. But we miss what is perhaps the most beautiful and instructive part of the story: the new generation turns it around. After the snake's story, we hear anecdotes about Israel's military success. And it is not just historical data. The Torah highlights the stark contrast between the past generation and this one. One was ultimately punished terribly; the other was successful in all they did. The difference in fate rested on one simple point: this new generation understood what we today are meant to learn as well—that all strength is from God. And that is all God was waiting for.

Shalom!
Alan