"Because you did not trust me enough to demonstrate my holiness to the people of Israel, you will not lead them into the land I am giving them!"
Those are words I do not like to hear. I have read this story over and over and over again in my lifetime and praise God hallelujah I think I finally get it. I have judged God unfairly over the harsh punishment of Moses and Aaron, not believing that after 40 years of faithful service He would not let them see the long-awaited Promised Land. I understand better today than ever before that His ways are not my ways.
The Lord gave specific instructions to Moses and Aaron while they were once again prostrate before the Holy God. He said, "Speak to the rock." Not only did Moses and Aaron not speak to the rock, they gave credit for the miracle of water to themselves before the water ever gushed out. Moses said, "Must we bring you water from this rock?" I don't think God was included in the "we."
We can very easily get caught up in a huge "God moment" and intentionally or unintentional take the glory from God. Moses also lost his patience with the Lord. He struck the rock twice. Henry used the word smiteth. It sounds like a very serious offense with that word, doesn't it? Hitting the rock twice symbolizes an unbelieving heart. You know, when the remote doesn't work the first time, so you slam it against you hand a couple to make it do what it is supposed to do. This in a sense is what Moses did by hitting the rock twice. He banged it until it did what is was supposed to do.
But Moses biggest sin in this history defining moment is what we have talked about over and over in our journey together: obedience. God is a very specific and orderly God. These characteristics have been so clear to us thus far. He told Moses specifically what to do and Moses did not follow the instructions.
As I ponder the details of this event I see clearly a truth that I don't want ever forgot. God expects my obedience every time He requires me to do something. He will not give me rewards/blessings based on "Wendy's top 20 of obedience" or "Wendy's best 5 out of 10 attempts at obedience." God looks separately at each opportunity I have to obey Him, to show His glory and holiness. He will not bless the disobedience of today because I obeyed Him yesterday. Am I making sense? I trust God that I am. My heart is so heavy with this point.
Oh Lord, help me live each moment to bring glory to your name, the name above all names. Discipline me as you see fit each time I steal your glory or defame your great name.
I can't close without talking about the grace. The Lord did not demote Moses and Aaron as leaders of His children. He did not broadcast their disobedience to bring shame and embarrassment to them as leaders. He allowed them to keep leading and blessed them with victory after victory. Aren't we blessed that our God does not hold a grudge? He truly forgets our sins as if they never happened. Lord, thank you for your grace, mercy, and erasable memory.
But Moses biggest sin in this history defining moment is what we have talked about over and over in our journey together: obedience. God is a very specific and orderly God. These characteristics have been so clear to us thus far. He told Moses specifically what to do and Moses did not follow the instructions.
As I ponder the details of this event I see clearly a truth that I don't want ever forgot. God expects my obedience every time He requires me to do something. He will not give me rewards/blessings based on "Wendy's top 20 of obedience" or "Wendy's best 5 out of 10 attempts at obedience." God looks separately at each opportunity I have to obey Him, to show His glory and holiness. He will not bless the disobedience of today because I obeyed Him yesterday. Am I making sense? I trust God that I am. My heart is so heavy with this point.
Oh Lord, help me live each moment to bring glory to your name, the name above all names. Discipline me as you see fit each time I steal your glory or defame your great name.
I can't close without talking about the grace. The Lord did not demote Moses and Aaron as leaders of His children. He did not broadcast their disobedience to bring shame and embarrassment to them as leaders. He allowed them to keep leading and blessed them with victory after victory. Aren't we blessed that our God does not hold a grudge? He truly forgets our sins as if they never happened. Lord, thank you for your grace, mercy, and erasable memory.
11 Comments:
Wendy,
Very well stated. I'm seeing in this how God could see the unbelief in them or us by our disobedience. Very good. And you are right. God is so sweet and kind to not call us out (unless we continue without repentance) and still blesses us more and more.
I'm enjoying this very much - it's hard to put in words what I see and learn but it's really good. So I'll leave it at that, I'm learning a lot. :)
I'm seeing that our grumbling makes God sad and angry just like it does when our children do not appreciate us. I see how our safety either spiritually or physically depends on us doing what God says and when we don't it makes Him sad and angry. I see how God has the wisdom of knowing the end from the beginning and wants to give us that wisdom all of it but knows He has to dole it out little by little.
And even when we don't obey completely, when we look up to Him with our big eyes and say Daddy, I need you, He drops everything (not really He can handle it all at once) and focuses on us wraps us in his arms and says "I still Love you". I see a God that I don't want to live with out.
Thanks to God and Thanks to all for listening.
Lynn - OR
Wendy,
I so appreciated your post this morning! I, too, am learning so much, and I agree (Lynn) it is just too hard to put into words! Thank you Wendy so much for the time you put into this study. As I pop in and read the different comments throughout the day, more little nuggets are opened up to me to think about! Everyone is really blessing me.
I read that section over and over again...I got the "we" part, but missed the striking the "rock twice," part and your insight helped me so much! Also, I noticed Moses' voice, "Listen, you rebels!" Sounds a little gruff, don't ya think...{this sounds more like me sometimes, talking to my teenage boy's-I catch my tone after it is too late!} I'm sure Moses had just had, had it! Like us sometimes, and we let it out.
Moses was human.
I loved your last sentence Wendy! Our God is too good to us, isn't He? Makes me love him so much more at this moment!
"So whether you eat, or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God." I Cor. 10:31...
Something I struggle with, is that when God has answered a prayer request I have given Him and I want to shout it to the mountaintops...It is easier for me to share His Glory with Christians; but, more difficult with non believer's. I'm working on this area.
Blessings, Lori - Mesa, AZ
I read where Aaron was 123 years old when he died of natural causes. Can you imagine walking up a mountain at that age? In today's world, we don't understand what people's bodies, health, etc.. were like back then. Amazing.
Moses was told to "speak" to the rock, not hit it. God made an example of he and Aaron to show that disobedience to Him was a big deal. How far off am I from blind obedience from God? How much discipline do I need? Oh my. Thanks again for Jesus.
Morgen - MN
I am learning that failure with God is so much sweeter than any success without. Even when it's correcting, I love to hear his voice. Seeing the truth in love just causes us to change, not run. May we live each day totally surrendered to His beckoning!
Numbers 21:4-9 The Bronze Snake
Just like the Israelites were called to look up to the bronze snake to save them, we are called to look upon Jesus to save us.
By faith, we are saved.
Also, the people prayed that God would take away the snakes, He chose to save them a different way. The snakes remained--but they were saved through looking at the bronze snake.
This reminds me that God doesn't always save me from situations in the way I envision, but how He chooses is the best way.
We serve an awesome God that weaves His redemption story all through the Old Testament.
I am praying that we all have a renewed passion for His Word.
Blessings!
God is so awesome!! Wendy, thank you as well for your post. Many times I do not understand His ways, but I know that His ways are perfect! Praise Him! I will be praying as well that all of us will fall more deeply in love with the Lord and His Holy Word!
Blessings,
Lara
Praise Him for grace!
I'm still behind y'all, but I'm following Moses at least!!
Hugs,
Susan
Wendy, I want to amplify what everyone else has said; your insights and wisdom are very much appreciated!
Even if we think we understand disobedience, it is still unacceptable to God. I could just hear Moses saying, Yal (in my southern mind) are getting on my last nerve. :-) He had been through so much with these ungrateful people.
This study has really put my thankfulness and obedience in check. It is my utmost desire to always be thankful and obedient to God. I'm forever grateful for the times when I miss the mark, My Kinsman Redeemer - Jesus, intercedes for me. I don’t want to live my life without him.
It's interesting that only Moses struck the rock, but Aaron also had to pay the price for this disobedience. Even when we do not commit the sin, we are guilty if we are in total agreement with it. WOW......that one hit me hard.
Father, please help us not to be accommodate sin in our lives or the lives of others.
Blessings!
Debbie - North Carolina
I have also struggled with what seem to be harsh consequences for Moses'disobedience. Yet, as I read these verses today, I realized something I had not previously.
Whenever Moses would become frustrated before this occurence, he fully submitted his anger to God through prayer. This time he did not.
Today, I saw what can happen when we don't surrender our anger and other negative emotions to God. Like with Moses, they can cause us to sin, resulting sometimes in extraordinary (in a negative way) consequences.
I kept thinking of the verse "and do not give the devil a foothold" (Ephesians 4:27). Moses' anger, if left unchecked, would have given a place for the devil to work in his heart and mind. God, in his all-knowing love and compassion, could not allow this to happen. He does the same for us.
This really was a checkpoint for me, especially during that wonderful week of the month when emotions seem to run a little crazy anyway. There is nothing like total submission to a loving and forgiving God.
I just want to start by saying, how nice it is to be missed. As I signed on my computer tonight I have e-mails asking me where my comment is on "Wendy's blog". :o)
Boy, you girls really know how to keep a gal accountable!!!!
Hmm...obedience... Part of me envies the clear direction Moses and Aaron were given. I think, if God only spoke to me that specifically, I wouldn't have any trouble obeying. Yet, His Word is filled with very precise instructions, and I know I still make excuses not to follow completely.
May my obedience bring Him glory,
Joy
Kristen
I love your point about Moses, his anger, and prayer. I missed that!
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