LACK OF TRUST
Numbers 20:2–13
A complaining person can be likened to a dripping tap because both are persistently irritating and difficult to stop. Just as a leaky faucet produces a constant, annoying drip, a person who constantly complains can wear down those around them with their negativity and lack of resolution.
Almost everyone has encountered such a person at some point in their lives. It’s exhausting just being around them. Sometimes, because of our frustration, we may do something foolish or unwise just to shut them up. We have an example in our text today that shows just that.
It recounts one of the most pivotal events in Moses’ leadership — the waters of Meribah and the sin that kept Moses and Aaron from entering the promised land.
The Problem (2–5)
The old generation had now faded off the scene, and the new generation had wandered for more than 40 years in the wilderness. The passage has them encamped at Kadesh in the wilderness of Zin. Kadesh was the region where Israel had rebelled 38 years earlier (Num. 13–14).
The area is described as arid, rocky and desolate, with sparse vegetation. The lack of water was a real crisis, but the people responded with complaint and blame — a repeated pattern. (Compare to Ex. 17 and Num. 11, 14 and 16.) Apparently, they had not learned very much from the mistakes of the generation before them. They even mention the desire to have died with that older generation!
The Plan (6–8)
Moses and Aaron respond properly at first. They seek God’s direction. God instructs Moses to take Aaron and his staff (Num. 17) and gather the whole assembly at a specific rock in a location that must have been very recognizable and known by the people. God then instructs Moses to speak to the rock, and water would then come forth.
The Result (9–13)
It is at this point that the frustration of Moses and Aaron become fully visible. Once the assembly gathers at the rock, Moses shows his disdain with the people by calling them rebels. His tone is angry and self-centered. Moses asks, “Must we bring water out of this rock for you?” This suggests that he took credit for the miracle.
Moses disobeys God’s clear instruction. Instead of speaking to the rock, he strikes it twice. It is not clear if he was acting out of anger and frustration, but he was most definitely feeling those emotions.
Perhaps he is acting on mindless impulses. I say this because this is not the first time he is called to summon water from a rock. Moses had been instructed to strike a rock for water before the incident at Meribah, specifically at Rephidim (also known as Horeb) in Exodus 17:1–7.
Perhaps in his state of emotion while not thinking clearly, he did as he had done previously. The simple fact is that we don’t know his reasons, but it still resulted in disobedience.
While water still flowed because God graciously provides, Moses’ attitude misrepresented God’s character to the people. The issue is not just the act but the heart behind it. Moses failed to trust and honor God’s holiness.
As leaders, Moses and Aaron were held to a higher standard. (See James 3:1.) Their punishment is severe: They will not enter the promised land.
By Darrell Nimmo
Retired Baptist pastor living in Goodlettsville, Tennessee
