Read Numbers 20:1-13
And Moses and Aaron gathered the congregation together before the rock, and he said unto them, Hear now, ye rebels; must we fetch you water out of this rock? And Moses lifted up his hand, and with his rod he smote the rock twice: and the water came out abundantly, and the congregation drank, and their beasts also. Numbers 20:10-11 KJV
The words of Moses are surprising and out of character. We might be willing to excuse him because of the constant pressure of the people, but God could not. Moses violated all he had stood for over the previous forty years and fell into unrighteous anger. There is never an excuse for that. By doing so, he misrepresented and disobeyed God. For Moses, the consequence was severe. Although he had been meek and faithful in every way (Hebrews 3:5), God forbade him entrance into the Land of Promise. In some mysterious way, that rock, which had already been struck once (Exodus 17:1-7), was a symbol of the divine presence and salvation of Christ (1 Corinthians 10:4). By striking the rock in anger on this second occasion, rather than just speaking to it as God commanded, Moses violated the picture of God’s grace. Jesus was struck only once at the cross for our sins.
Lord, although I never deserve it, I am grateful you respond to me in grace. The people of Israel did not deserve the water but received it abundantly. I too have enjoyed your grace abundantly through Christ. When I minister to others, help me never forget that. Help me always respond to pressure according to your Word and grace.
A question to ponder: Although Moses did not lose his heavenly reward, his earthly loss was huge; what do we lose when we fail to keep God’s Word and dishonor Him before others?
