Numbers 20: Breaking Faith
So Moses took the staff from the Lord's presence, just as he commanded him. He and Aaron gathered the assembly together in front of the rock and Moses said to them, "Listen, you rebels, must we bring you water out of this rock?" Then Moses raised his arm and struck the rock twice with his staff. Water gushed out, and the community and their livestock drank.
The Israelites once again quarrel with Moses and Aaron and accuse them of bringing the community from Egypt, where there was plenty of food, to the wilderness, where there is not even water to drink. All Moses and Aaron can do is turn to God who instructs them to take the staff, assemble the people, and in the presence of the community, “order” the rock to give forth water for all to drink; this miraculous sign would once again stress God’s sanctity.
Rather than doing exactly as God commanded, Moses asks the community a question that suggests doubt and lack of faith: “Are we to bring water for you out of this rock?” Then, using the staff, Moses strikes the rock not once but twice. The rock issues enough water for all to drink, though Moses fails to “order” the rock as God had directed. And it is for this reason that neither Moses nor Aaron would enter the Promised Land. Was it a lack of faith or an act of disobedience? That is somewhat unclear, but this story is told near the end of the journey to prepare for the designation of new leaders for a new generation of Israelites who finally will get to come home.
The scene at Meribah brings a tragic end to a great man's career. After so many displays of loyalty and courage, Moses- footsore and weary- is told that he too will die in the desert, before the new generation of Israelites cross into the promised land. Later in Deuteronomy, God describes the sin as "breaking faith" with him and tells Moses that "he did not uphold my holiness among the Israelites." (32:51)
So Moses took the staff from the Lord's presence, just as he commanded him. He and Aaron gathered the assembly together in front of the rock and Moses said to them, "Listen, you rebels, must we bring you water out of this rock?" Then Moses raised his arm and struck the rock twice with his staff. Water gushed out, and the community and their livestock drank.
The Israelites once again quarrel with Moses and Aaron and accuse them of bringing the community from Egypt, where there was plenty of food, to the wilderness, where there is not even water to drink. All Moses and Aaron can do is turn to God who instructs them to take the staff, assemble the people, and in the presence of the community, “order” the rock to give forth water for all to drink; this miraculous sign would once again stress God’s sanctity.
Rather than doing exactly as God commanded, Moses asks the community a question that suggests doubt and lack of faith: “Are we to bring water for you out of this rock?” Then, using the staff, Moses strikes the rock not once but twice. The rock issues enough water for all to drink, though Moses fails to “order” the rock as God had directed. And it is for this reason that neither Moses nor Aaron would enter the Promised Land. Was it a lack of faith or an act of disobedience? That is somewhat unclear, but this story is told near the end of the journey to prepare for the designation of new leaders for a new generation of Israelites who finally will get to come home.
The scene at Meribah brings a tragic end to a great man's career. After so many displays of loyalty and courage, Moses- footsore and weary- is told that he too will die in the desert, before the new generation of Israelites cross into the promised land. Later in Deuteronomy, God describes the sin as "breaking faith" with him and tells Moses that "he did not uphold my holiness among the Israelites." (32:51)
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Life Question: Has there ever been a time when God has given you the power to do something, but you decided to take the credit?
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When I've accomplished something in my life- be it for my career, family, or personal interests- I often times fail to thank God. Just last week in church, Mike kept asking us all to take a deep breath...and simply offer a small thanks to God for giving us that gift of breath and life that many of us take for granted. None of my "earthly" accomplishments would be possible without God...period. I just need to remember to thank him more.
1 comment:
It is in my nature to begin to think that my own hard work and diligence can really bring about desired results for God. When I look honestly at this it is an affront to God's holiness. It is a subtle way for me to take control and rule in His stead. Pride comes before the fall and Moses ( who represented God's presence to His people ) took matters into his own hands. Kadesh was the place of the peoples' first rebellion about entering into the Promised Land and Moses repeats this action forty years later with his disobedience. It shows me how careful I must be every day; as one poor choice of disobedience can have huge consequences.
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