2 Now there was no water for the community, and they assembled against Moses and Aaron. 3 Then the people confronted Moses and said to him, “If only we too had died when our brothers perished in the Lord’s presence! 4 Why have you brought the Lord’s assembly into this desert to kill us and our animals here? 5 Why have you led us up from Egypt to bring us to this evil place without grain, figs, vines, or pomegranates? And there’s no water to drink!”
6 Moses and Aaron went away from the assembly to the entrance of the meeting tent, and they fell on their faces. Then the Lord’s glory appeared to them. 7 The Lord spoke to Moses: 8 “You and Aaron your brother, take the staff and assemble the community. In their presence, tell the rock to provide water. You will produce water from the rock for them and allow the community and their animals to drink.”
9 Moses took the staff from the Lord’s presence, as the Lord had commanded him. 10 Moses and Aaron gathered the assembly before the rock. He said to them, “Listen, you rebels! Should we produce water from the rock for you?” 11 Then Moses raised his hand and struck the rock with his staff twice. Out flooded water so that the community and their animals could drink.
12 The Lord said to Moses and Aaron, “Because you didn’t trust me to show my holiness before the Israelites, you will not bring this assembly into the land that I am giving them.” 13 These were the waters of Meribah where the Israelites confronted the Lord with controversy, and he showed his holiness to them.
Reflection
I hope that you have had a chance to see, hear or read Pastor Joe’s message from the 28th. It is very worthwhile considering, directed to each of us, and ended with a challenge to turn negative action into positive good and loving action.
The scriptures that you will see in Devotionals, this week, are hopefully ones that will be interesting to think about, and lead us to expectations that are positive, exciting, energizing and compassionate and allow us to recognize God’s love more fully.
In today’s scripture we see God commanding Moses to take his staff, gather the people, and speak to the rock (20:8). But Moses was frustrated with the people and instead said to them, Must we bring water out of this rock for you? (20:10). Then he struck the rock twice (20:11).
This might, at first, seem to be only a minor breach of obedience but it is not. Moses totally failed to obey God’s command. Note that in the old testament the staff was a symbol of God’s strength, guidance, and loving kindness.
Out of frustration with the people, Moses struck the rock instead of speaking to it. This action attributed the presence of much needed water to his own efforts rather than the authority that belonged to God alone had he spoken the words while holding the staff. God responds, like a teacher or good parent, with an action that reminds the people that he is the one in authority and who will bring them into a new land. God’s action is that Moses and Aaron lose their opportunity to enter the promised land. God’s judgment redirected attention to the Lord’s holiness, which the pair had failed to honor (20:12-13).
God’s need for Moses to be accountable did not at all change his love for Moses. Take a look at Deuteronomy chapter 34:1-12.
by Clarence Beverage
For Pondering and Prayer
In many circles this last week people have been filled with new energy and excitement. A particularly exciting moment for Laura and me was watching the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics. It was beautiful, awe inspiring, and helped us have great appreciation for the dedication of the the athletes and their many years of hard work and training.
A song in the opening ceremony, sung by Celine Dione, was amazing and probably will bring tears to your eyes if you think about the challenges she has faced.
I suspect that most people reading these Devotionals know God never promised us an easy life. But God does promise never-ending love and forgiveness.
How are you doing in looking for God’s presence in your life?
Could you use help seeing hope, kindness, goodness and positive things in your world? Be encouraged, there are people you may not know yet, or do know, but have not dared to reach out to who will help you find what you are seeking.
Prayer: Lord, help us all to focus more on good and less on what is wrong in our world. Help us to ask for wisdom and guidance through your Holy Spirit and to use your word, such as found in Romans, where Paul asks us why we judge or belittle others when we all will stand before God’s judgment seat. We pray this in Jesus name. Amen.
