Numbers 20:1-13 NOT AGAIN?!! Forty years had passed since Israel left Egypt. Thirty-seven or eight years had passed since they had turned away from the promised land in weakness and fear. Now they were back at Kadesh again. Miriam died there so the voice that once had led in singing was silent. But this was almost entirely a whole new group of people. 600,000 had died and those who were under twenty years old when they were at Kadesh before, were nearly sixty years old. But strange enough, some things never seem to change. They seemed to fondly remember living in Egypt long ago. There was a shortage of food and water it seemed although they had been, and still were, abundantly supplied. But they had gotten used to heavenly food and now wanted the taste of exotic foods for their pleasure and self-satisfaction, not for strength and the sustaining of life. This is not an uncommon complaint in our days. People are still attracted to the teaching and "spiritual music" that appeals to the natural and carnal man. The words to songs sung today can hardly be heard or understood because of the loud accompaniment. The teaching is usually brief sermons that are adapted to "meet our needs," rather than an exposition of the Word of God or a message from God. What God has to say is always much more important than what we want to hear.
Water had been supplied to them years before from the smitten rock. That spoke of Christ who once 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 weaned the children of Israel from wanting what others around them had. The voice of Miriam was gone and most of the past had been cut off - yet they seemed to not 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 thy lay dying in the wilderness. Sometimes older people tell of their past history in ways that almost make appealing the sins of the world. We need to keep the historical accounts of our lives honest. The place to start is the first day of the first month of our new life in Christ. The complaints rose from what they had heard about Egypt, rather that the slavery they had experienced in Egypt. It is not right for the sins of the past or isolated experiences out of the context of real living, be told as a means of instructing our young.
By this time Moses was getting weary of the burden of guiding a fickle congregation of people through the wilderness. He lived by faith and knew his Lord in an intimate way and likely was getting frustrated because of the lack of faith on the part of most of the people of God. Not everyone has the same spiritual interests or have the same life-changing spiritual experiences others have. Patience and meekness are required in those who lead the people of God. At the same time, those who God called to lead others in some capacity must remember we are in danger of failure. "To whom much is given, much is required." The expectation of faith demonstrated is higher in those gifted to minister to others than in those who serve God in other ways. Even Aaron was guilty by association and could not enter the promised land. It is a wonderful privilege to serve God by serving His people, but we need to be reminded that when God gives us that kind of responsibility, His glory is at stake.
The people of God, in spite of their failures, complaints and mistakes, are still His people. It is not our right to criticize or admonish them without divine sanction. The rod the two men took with them when they went to speak to the rock before the eyes of all the people, was Aaron's rod of grace, not Moses' rod of power and authority. When he smote the rock previously, it was a type of the Shepherd giving His life for the sheep. The testimony of the rod this time was intended to be to the keeping grace of Christ for the welfare of His people. In one act of willful anger, Moses undid what could have been his in the promised land. The people of God were feeble, mortal men, and now Moses himself is shown to be a failing mortal man even though his faith was strong. By hitting the rock twice, he demonstrated false doctrine concerning 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 serious sin - especially when it comes from one who knows better. How important it is that we do not do the work of God carelessly, impetuously or imperially taking the credit of that which belongs to God. Poor Moses even claimed that he and Aaron would produce the water from the rock. We dare not take credit ourselves for what God does. There are consequences for willfulness no matter who the person is.
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 as to the outcome of their action in this event. It was an act of grace when God when God took Moses up to Mount Nebo, and showed him the whole promised land 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 does bless us and makes provision for our sinfulness in spite of our sin. But God's government is not set aside because of His grace. Righteousness has its demands that must be met. Careless disregard of the Lord's revealed will is not ignored by our righteous God.
The water that gave refreshment to the people of God was an act of God's grace. The indictment against Moses and Aaron had to be carried out in spite of their years of faithful service. We are never immune from failure, and the righteousness of God is never compromised no matter who a person is. God can and does forgive on the basis of the finished work of Christ. Anything that takes away from the value of that accomplished redemption must be dealt with. That one act of Moses typifies the doctrines often taught by some 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.
Stop, pay attention, before you foolishly act, In an emotional outburst given without grace or tact, Lest the outcome will be this solemn fact - In this you have sinned against God.
Look, and make sure you have divine approval Unmistakably given lest there be the removal Of you from God's service that leads to disapproval - Because you have sinned against God.
Listen to the instructions that are divinely given. The rock bringing water will by God Himself be riven - To try to do God's work your way is like a little leaven - That condemns because of sin against God.
Act only in ways you know in which God is pleased. Opportunities of good testimony are times to be seized, And people are blessed because of what faith first sees - When one refuses to sin against God.
"Holy Father, when I am called by Thee to perform some act of service for Thy people or unbelievers, may I be committed to act only by the guidance of the Spirit and the Word. Preserve Thy servant from self-will or "playing to the grandstand" in any way. Give Thy servant the wisdom to hear what Thou dost say and do exactly that. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen."