“Why have you brought the assembly of the LORD into this wilderness, that we should die here, both we and our cattle?”

Numbers 20:4 (ESV)

Undoubtedly, Moses was a marvelous man of God. He was chosen to be God’s instrument to deliver the children of Israel and bring great and awesome plagues on Egypt. The LORD spoke to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend (Exodus 33:11). But Moses was not perfect.

For nearly forty years, Moses had listened to the people murmur and complain against the LORD and against Aaron and him. I cannot imagine listening to two million people bellyache for so long! Once again, the people complained because they did not have enough water.

So Moses went before the LORD to see what to do. This is always a wise move when we don’t know what to do. God told him to speak to the rock, and the water would come forth. This was different from the previous time when God told him to strike the rock. But Moses was at the end of his patience!

“Hear now, you rebels! Must we bring water for you out of this rock?”

Numbers 20:10 (NKJV)

Then he struck the rock twice, and the water came out. At first, everything seemed OK. But then the LORD told Moses that because he didn’t believe Him and honor Him as holy before the people, he would not be able to lead the people into the Promised Land!

There was more going on than Moses losing his temper and misrepresenting God (although that was bad enough). God was setting up a type or foreshadow of the living water we receive through Christ. Like the rock in the desert, Jesus was struck the first time on the cross. But now we merely speak to the Lord, asking Him for the living water, and He provides all that we need (John 7:37-39).

At the time Moses didn’t understand, but he ruined this picture of Christ’s provision of the Holy Spirit.

The practical lesson for us is to trust the Lord no matter what. What is our complaining but a failure to trust God? What is losing one’s temper but a failure to honor God as Sovereign over all circumstances? Our impatience mars the beautiful work that God is doing. It may even cause us to miss out on God’s best blessings.

Consider 🤔: How do seasons of grief or prolonged stress affect the way you respond to people and problems?

Thanks for reading. I’m glad you’re here. 😊

Photo by Yogendra Singh on Unsplash