Numbers 20:6-13, “Then Moses and Aaron
went from the presence of the assembly to the entrance of the tent of meeting
and fell on their faces. And the glory of the LORD appeared to them, (7)
and the LORD spoke to Moses, saying,
(8) "Take the staff, and assemble
the congregation, you and Aaron your brother, and tell the rock before their
eyes to yield its water. So you shall bring water out of the rock for them and
give drink to the congregation and their cattle." (9)
And Moses took the staff from before the LORD, as he commanded him. (10)
Then Moses and Aaron gathered the assembly together before the rock, and
he said to them, "Hear now, you rebels: shall we bring water for you out
of this rock?" (11) And Moses lifted up his hand and struck the
rock with his staff twice, and water came out abundantly, and the congregation
drank, and their livestock. (12) And the LORD said to Moses and Aaron,
"Because you did not believe in me, to uphold me as holy in the eyes of
the people of Israel, therefore you shall not bring this assembly into the land
that I have given them." (13) These are the waters of Meribah, where the
people of Israel quarreled with the LORD, and through them he showed himself
holy.”
This chapter brings us to a tragic event. The people of Israel
continue on in their complacency and godlessness, once more accusing God of
evil and desiring their death. They complain against God, Moses and Aaron.
Initially, Moses and Aaron respond in the correct manner, they seek the help of
God, asking God to hear their prayer and provide once more for the nation.
God’s grace, mercy, love, faithfulness and patience is revealed as He
continues to be good to this rebellious nation. He hears their prayer and tells
Moses and Aaron how He will answer and provide water for them. The instructions
that God gives to Moses and Aaron are very specific, they should take the staff
(Moses’ staff, not Aaron’s as that had been put with the Ark of the Covenant after
it blossomed), go to a particular rock, and were to command the rock to yield
its water.
Having gathered the people around the rock, Moses struck the rock
twice with his staff, at which point water came gushing out the rock. But it
was with these actions that both Moses and Aaron came under God’s wrath.
Many may think that this is a small matter, why is God so angered by
what Moses and Aaron have done? Why is the punishment so severe, surely Moses
deserved to enter into the Promised Land?
Verse 12 helps us to understand why God is angered and punishes Moses
and Aaron. There appear to be two offences, a failure to believe and a failure
to uphold God’s holiness. Moses and Aaron were to constantly uphold God, His
name, glory and holiness, and to always point the people to the fact that God
was their God and the provider of their needs. As the leader of the people and
as the High Priest, they were to encourage the faith of the people, so that
they might learn to trust in God more and more, resting in God’s faithfulness.
They were also to serve as examples to the people, examples of what it means to
live in faithful obedience of God. Sadly, it is in these areas that Moses and
Aaron fall and fail. Psalm 106 gives us further understanding into what
happened and why it was a failing on Moses and Aaron’s part. Psalm 106:32-33, “They angered him at the
waters of Meribah, and it went ill with Moses on their account, (33)
for they made his spirit bitter, and he spoke rashly with his lips.”
This passage points us to the words of Moses. Then Moses and Aaron gathered the assembly together before the rock,
and he said to them, "Hear now, you rebels: shall we bring water for you
out of this rock?" As we look at these words we have to ask if they
encouraged faith and dependence upon God? Did they draw the people’s attention
to the holiness and power of God? Did it give the people reason to worship God,
to serve God, and to trust Him for the future rather than complaining?
The answer is no! Moses and Aaron are frustrated, irritated,
worn-down, impatient and angry with this constant bickering and complaining. It
is in this attitude and state of mind that they act, instead of one that
honoured God. They act and respond in anger and bitterness, rather than in
faithful dependence on God and thankfulness towards God.
It is not that Moses and Aaron did not believe in God, or lacked faith
in God’s ability to provide water. Rather, they took matters into their own
hands, and the manner in which they spoke and acted did not cause the people to
grow in their belief of God. Moses states, “shall
we bring water…”, referring not to God, but to himself and Aaron.
Furthermore, by virtue of Moses’ physical actions of striking the rock twice,
it is as though he is providing water by his own strength. Never mind the fact
that it was an act of disobedient, contrary to what God commanded Moses to do.
What makes the sin of Moses and Aaron all the more grievous is that they
committed these sins whilst serving as God’s appointed men, as God’s servants,
ministers, representatives. They should have already learned that any man who
serves God in an unworthy and sinful manner will not escape unpunished. They
had seen this happen with Nadab and Abihu, Miriam, Korah and those who rebelled
with him.
But in a moment of anger, Moses falls and fails, and Aaron does
nothing to prevent this. Both men are therefore guilty and have failed to obey
God’s instructions given to them. They have failed to encourage, build up and
increase the faith of the people in God. They have not set God forth as their
faithful, powerful, gracious and glorious God and provider.
Just because Moses and Aaron are God’s appointed ministers, doesn’t
mean that God should turn a blind eye to their sin, or allow the rules to be
bent. God’s holiness is absolute, any and every violation of it, from the least
to the greatest demands God’s justice and punishment. This applies all the more
to those whom God appoints to lead and serve amongst His people, for they are
to set the example, they are to teach and guide the people towards God and they
are to honour God in all that they do. In the case of Moses and Aaron, their
sin needs to be dealt with, and as sorry as we may feel, especially for Moses,
God’s justice must be satisfied.
This chapter is a sad and tragic one, for we see the fall of both Moses
and Aaron, they behave in a sinful manner that is dishonouring to God. They may
have been faithful servants who have endured much opposition and had to put up
with the constant bickering of the Israelites, but the fact remains that they
had sinned. God is serious about sin, so serious that He even disciplines those
who are faithful to Him when they sin. He cannot under any circumstances excuse
sin, His absolute holiness demands absolute justice. Therefore, we are
challenged to keep a close watch on our own lives and how we live in obedience
to God and for His glory. God may have granted us forgiveness and salvation
through the Lord Jesus Christ. But we must remember that God will always deal
with our sin, and if so required that discipline may be severe. This should not
surprise us, in fact we should marvel at the grace God extends to us on a daily
basis, not treating us as we deserve to be, but continuing to be patient. Let
us not test this patience through ungodliness, rather let us show ourselves to
be true children of God, who desire to be imitators of Christ.
Holy, holy, holy, LORD God Almighty, the
whole earth is full of your glory! There is no man who can stand before You and
live. There is no man who can justify himself, or escape Your justice, for Your
eyes are all seeing, Your mind all knowing, and You are absolute holiness and
perfection. How we praise and thank You for Jesus Christ who has saved us from
Your holy, just wrath against our sin and brought us into Your favour. May we
learn to follow You faithfully, being as serious towards our sin as You are.
Help us to strive after holiness and a life that honours You. Amen.
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