SCRIPTURE: NUMBERS 20
BIBLE VERSES:
“The Lord said to Moses, “Take the staff, and you and your brother Aaron gather the assembly together. Speak to that rock before their eyes and it will pour out its water. You will bring water out of the rock for the community so they and their livestock can drink.” 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. But the Lord said to Moses and Aaron, “Because you did not trust in me enough to honor me as holy in the sight of the Israelites, you will not bring this community into the land I give them.”
WATER FROM THE ROCK (vs. 1-21)
The whole Israelite community arrived at the Desert of Zin and they stayed at Kadesh. Miriam died and was buried there. Because there was no water, the people gathered to quarrel against Moses. Moses cried out to the Lord and the Lord instructed him to take his staff and gather the assembly together with Aaron. Then speak to the rock. Then water will come out of the rock. Due his anger with the people, Moses took his staff and struck the rod twice. Water at Meribah gushed out and the community and their livestock drank the water. But God was displeased because Moses did not follow God’s command. The Lord instructed him to speak to the rock, but Moses struck the rock twice. As a result, God won’t allow Moses to bring the people into the promised land.
EDOM DENIES ISRAEL PASSAGE (vs. 14-21)
The Edomites were the descendants of Esau, Jacob’s brother. They are blood relatives with the Israelites, but they were not in good terms. When Moses sent messengers to Kadesh, king of Edom, asking permission to pass through the territory on the way to Canaan, the king refused and came out with a large and powerful army.
THE DEATH OF AARON (vs. 22-29)
Because Moses and Aaron rebelled against God’s command at the waters of Meribah, Aaron will die at Mr. Hor. Before he died, God commanded Moses to remove Aaron’s garment and put them on his son Eleazar. After Aaron’s death, the entire house of Israel mourned for him 30 days.
THOUGHT:
Leaders are given privileges but it goes with responsibilities. Moses and Aaron were not permitted to enter the Promised land because of disobedience. If you are a leader, be careful to follow His Word. If you are a follower, you must pray for your leaders in His service.
The main reason that God judged Moses and kept him out of the Promised Land was this: he exalted himself and fail to glorify God. In calling the people rebels and in saying “Must we” (Aaron and I) fetch you water out of this rock? (v. 10), Moses was not giving God the glory due to His name. It was evidenced of pride and unbelief. Aaron died before entering the Promised land was probably as punishment for making the golden calf and his opposition against Moses due to his Cushite wife.