Moses Strikes the Rock

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The Lord used Moses to rebuke Pharaoh, to liberate the Israelite nation, and to lead them on their journey to the Promised Land.
In our Bibles we find Moses among some of God’s most faithful (Heb. 11:24-29).
However, Moses was not without sin.
1. As is true for all mankind, at times Moses was disobedient to God’s law.
2. Perhaps the most well-known occasion comes from Numbers 20.
It was so easy to obey, yet Moses disobeyed
Miriam died v.1
There’s no water v.2
The rebellion of the people
1. Korah (Numbers 16)
2. The people complained about it so there was a plague (Numbers 16:41ff)
3. They had already been subjected to wandering in the wilderness because of the rebellion of the people at the disobedience of the spies
The constant complaining
1. This occurs in the 1st month (when they are supposed to be thinking about the Passover and God’s deliverance from Egypt)
2. They did not make it easy on Moses to do the right thing
We have to have patience
We cannot allow stressors to put us into a situation where we aren’t thinking clearly and sin against God
Philippians 2:14–15 (NKJV) 14 Do all things without complaining and disputing, 15 that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world
v.6 they go to the One who can provide the solution
v.9 The rod was taken from the Lord’s presence, indicating that this is Aaron’s rod which budded
v.7-8 Is a softer solution than we might have expected
1. God’s solution reminds the people of His power
2. God’s solution reminds the people who has the authority to speak for Him
3. God’s solution has the leaders giving the people what they need, even if it’s not necessarily what they want
So often we want a quick solution that puts the wrong doer in their place
A softer solution is preferred, but there are times for the plagues and righteous killings.
1. Just as Jesus pronounced His woes over the Scribes and Pharisees
2. Think about how Jesus dealt with His opposition over the course of his ministry
Even the Best Can Fall Short When Angry (10-13)
1. Moses is the meekest man on the earth (Numbers 12:3)
2. But he has lost control in v.10
  1. Why does he strike the rock twice?
  2. Striking the rock before worked (Exodus 17)
3. Moses would have had no doubt in God’s ability to grant the water, but disobedience is often described as unbelief (v.12). Why? He didn’t believe God’s solution was the right one.
  1. The act of Moses hitting the rock twice may have shown his unbelief in the will of God to gratify such a rebellious people.
  2. Some have suggested that after hearing the people’s complaints, Moses doubted whether or not another long term of wandering might be in store for the Israelites.
  3. There may have been any number of things at work, but the Lord sees the heart of man, and He saw Moses’ unbelief
    1. Psalm 44:21 (NKJV) Would not God search this out? For He knows the secrets of the heart.
    2. Romans 8:27 (NKJV) 27 Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.
4. Rebels (v.10)
  1. Numbers 20:24 (NKJV) 24 “Aaron shall be gathered to his people, for he shall not enter the land which I have given to the children of Israel, because you rebelled against My word at the water of Meribah.
  2. Numbers 27:14 (NKJV) 14 For in the Wilderness of Zin, during the strife of the congregation, you rebelled against My command to hallow Me at the waters before their eyes.” (These are the waters of Meribah, at Kadesh in the Wilderness of Zin.)
5. Moses and Aaron are focused on themselves (v.10)
  1. They didn’t sanctify God
  2. They made God’s gracious act seem stern and wrathful
  3. God is gracious and allows water despite the disobedience of Aaron and Moses
While God held boundless mercy, Moses had let his patient forgiving spirit wear out.
Many leaders of God’s people have felt this frustration and sorrow.
Today we might experience annoyance because of rebellious sin we see committed and continued amongst God’s people.
Before our exasperation pushes us to sin, we should remember our own faults and the example of Jesus.
The sinless Son of God saw much sin and wickedness among mankind, and yet remained focused on God.
He concerned himself with making God known and glorifying Him.