NOT AGAIN!? Numbers 20:1-13 Forty years passed since Israel left Egypt. Thirty-seven or thirty-eight years had gone by since they turned away from the promised land in fear and weakness. Now they were back at Kadesh. Miriam had died there, so the voice that once led in singing was now silent. But this was almost a completely new group of people. Six hundred thousand had died, and those under twenty years old when they were at Kadesh before were now nearly sixty. Strange enough, some things never seem to change. They seemed to remember living in Egypt long ago with fondness. There was a shortage of food and water, it seemed, even though they had always been, and still were, abundantly supplied. But they had grown used to heavenly food and now craved the taste of exotic foods for pleasure and self-satisfaction, not for strength or sustenance.
This is a common complaint today. People remain attracted to teaching and "spiritual music" that appeals to the natural and carnal man. The words to songs sung today are often difficult to hear or understand because of the loud accompaniment. The teaching typically consists of brief sermons that are designed to "meet our needs" rather than providing an in-depth explanation of the Word of God or a message from God. What God says is always far more important than what we want to hear.
Water was the first crisis the Israelites faced when they left Egypt. Now, forty years later, the same problem caused ingratitude and anger in the next generation. They had the same attitude and sinfulness as their ancestors, who were buried throughout the wilderness. Even Moses was affected by their lack of appreciation and faith, to the point that he lost focus on God and instead looked at the complaining people. For the first recorded time, he did not follow God’s instructions as He had given them.
It's easy to make a mess when we're angry at people or events that happen to us. Uncontrolled anger isn't righteous anger. Sometimes, because we've acted a certain way before, we think we should handle similar situations in the same way. Faith offers a chance to please God in every situation, unlike human habits.
Water had been supplied to them years earlier from the smitten rock. That symbolized Christ, who once and for all suffered on the cross for our sins, so the blessings that followed because of that came from Him and still do. "The Rock that followed them is Christ." The experiences of wilderness living had not yet taught the children of Israel to stop desiring what others around them had. The voice of Miriam was gone, and most of the past was cut off - yet they seemed not to have forgotten the stories they had heard of those who died in the wilderness. In many places today, spiritual songs of redemption may have been forgotten, like hymns with "the blood" in them. The congregation must have heard stories from the older people as they lay dying in the wilderness.
Sometimes, older people recount their past in ways that almost make the world's sins seem appealing. We need to keep the historical accounts of our lives honest. The first day of the first month of our new life in Christ is the right place to start. The complaints came from what they had heard about Egypt rather than from the slavery their ancestors endured there. It is not right for the sins of the past or isolated experiences outside the context of real living to be shared to instruct our young.
By this time, Moses was growing tired of the burden of leading a unpredictable congregation through the wilderness. He lived by faith and closely knew his Lord, and he was probably becoming frustrated due to the lack of faith among most of God’s people. To speak to a rock and expect results when one is frustrated, exasperated, and angry would have shown grace and mercy, which was God’s goal. Striking the rock twice was a sign of judgment and punishment. That was not God’s purpose. For forty years, Moses’ obedience was genuine, sincere, and, as far as we can tell, impeccable. Even though his anger was understandable, it was not justifiable.
Not everyone shares the same spiritual interests or undergoes the same life-changing spiritual experiences. Patience and meekness are essential qualities for those who lead God's people. Meanwhile, those whom God calls to lead others must remember that we are at risk of failure. "To whom much is given, much is required." The level of faith demonstrated is higher in those gifted to minister to others than in those who serve God in different ways. Even Aaron was guilty by association and was unable to enter the promised land. Serving God by serving His people is a wonderful privilege, but we must remember that when God entrusts us with such responsibility, His glory is on the line.
The people of God, despite their failures, complaints, and mistakes, are still His people. It is not our right to criticize or admonish them without divine approval. The rod the two men carried when they went to speak to the rock before all the people was Aaron's rod of grace, not Moses' rod of power and authority. When he struck the rock previously, it symbolized the Shepherd giving His life for the sheep. The testimony of the rod this time was intended to reflect the sustaining grace of Christ for the well-being of His people. Moses ruined what could have been his in the promised land with a single act of willful anger. The people of God were weak, mortal men, and now Moses himself is shown to be a failing mortal man even though his faith was strong. By striking the rock twice, he showed false doctrine about the Person and work of Christ.
Our Lord Jesus Christ "put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself." Anything real or symbolic that denigrates that work is a serious sin, especially coming from someone who knows better. It is crucial that we do not do the work of God carelessly, impulsively, or arrogantly claiming credit for what belongs to Him. Even poor Moses claimed that he and Aaron would produce water from the rock. His actions showed a lack of trust, as if a word spoken to the rock wouldn’t be enough to bring out the water. The holiness of God wasn’t represented by Moses’s actions, but he was offended. God’s presence was right there, manifest in glory, but Moses lacked the proper respect and reverence for Him.
Although we might think God was too harsh because of Moses’ impulsive act, it serves as a lesson for us to avoid becoming careless and casual about whom we represent. When God chooses to work through His servants, there is no room for them to take credit for what God accomplishes through them. We must not claim credit for God's work. There are consequences for stubbornness, regardless of who the person is. All the glory belongs to God alone, not the vessel He has created.
In grace, God produced the water that flowed from the rock to satisfy His people. And in grace, God privately spoke to Moses and Aaron about the outcome of their actions in this event. It was an act of grace when God took Moses up to Mount Nebo and showed him the whole promised land that the people he led for forty years would possess. We learn from this experience of God's people from another time that, in grace, God blesses us and makes provision for our sinfulness despite our sins. But God's government is not set aside because of His grace. Righteousness has its demands that must be met. Our righteous God does not ignore careless disregard for the Lord's revealed will.
The water that refreshed God's people was an act of His grace. The indictment against Moses and Aaron had to be carried out despite their many years of faithful service. We are never immune from failure, and God's righteousness is never compromised, regardless of who a person is. God can and does forgive based on the finished work of Christ. Anything that diminishes the value of that completed redemption must be addressed. That single act of Moses exemplifies the doctrines often taught today, that the work of Christ was important, but we "have to do the best we can." That is an insult to the effectiveness of divine grace.
When you become upset, stop! Pay attention before you foolishly act in an emotional outburst, which is given without grace or tact, lest the serious outcome be that you have sinned against God. Look and ensure you have unmistakable divine approval, or you risk being removed from God's service, leading to disapproval because of sin against God. Listen carefully to the divine instructions. The rock that brings water will be split open by God Himself to provide the needed water. Trying to do God's work your way is like a little leaven that condemns you for sin against God. Only act in ways you know will please God. Seize opportunities to give a good testimony, and bless others through your faith, especially when you refuse to sin against God.
This place feels familiar. We camped here when I was young. It was from this spot that we saw the land so beautiful that God had promised, and we could have had, but instead, we let fear keep us out of the land. Thirty-seven years have gone by since we were here before, thirty-seven years with little to show for it except a trail of graves. Still, in those thirty-seven years, we’ve learned that God truly saves.
Thirty-seven years of miraculous living. Thirty-seven years, and God has continually provided food and water, kept our garments and shoes from wearing out, guided us by the cloud of His presence, and protected us at night with the fire of His righteousness. We are the next generation; you might think we have learned, but the truth is that we have failed once again, and God’s grace is once again spurned. Instead of faith and lasting spiritual growth, we have complaints and murmuring. Here at Kadesh, where we could have entered the promised land years ago, we are blaming others and repeating our sins.
Even our leaders face the consequences when our complaints and grumbling prevent us from moving forward. Why can’t we understand what the issue is? Haven’t we learned that our trust should be in God? It often seems we have to relearn what we initially understood when we first came to Him in faith. Now, we find ourselves having to start over again right where we left off years ago, and that is truly a terrible shame. We are no longer going to stay here complaining to God. We will pack up our tents and go—trusting in the Lord. We know there will be battles because this land belongs to the enemy, but in faith, we press on, guided by God’s gracious hand. We won’t return to Kadesh; instead, we will move forward by faith. We will claim what God has promised and freely given us. Even after our generation passes and new ones take its place, we will resolve to do what God desires. No, don’t go back to Kadesh again—claim the promised land.
The Israelites never forgot the testing time at Meribah. It also serves as a lesson for us, as Psalm 95 is one of the psalms they sang. We joyfully sing about the Rock of our salvation. Blessings come from God's gracious heart, despite human attitudes, sins, and failures. Psalm 95 is in the middle of a group of psalms (90-100) that remind us of the coming universal reign of our Lord.