Trusting a Holy God
Opening Prayer
Father, You are worthy of honor. Regardless of how I am treated or seen, let my life bring You glory.
Read Numbers 20:1-13
[1] In the first month the whole Israelite community arrived at the Desert of Zin, and they stayed at Kadesh. There Miriam died and was buried. [2] Now there was no water for the community, and the people gathered in opposition to Moses and Aaron. [3] They quarreled with Moses and said, “If only we had died when our brothers fell dead before the LORD! [4] Why did you bring the LORD’s community into this wilderness, that we and our livestock should die here? [5] Why did you bring us up out of Egypt to this terrible place? It has no grain or figs, grapevines or pomegranates. And there is no water to drink!” [6] Moses and Aaron went from the assembly to the entrance to the tent of meeting and fell facedown, and the glory of the LORD appeared to them. [7] The LORD said to Moses, [8] “Take the staff, and you and your brother Aaron gather the assembly together. Speak to that rock before their eyes and it will pour out its water. You will bring water out of the rock for the community so they and their livestock can drink.” [9] So Moses took the staff from the LORD’s presence, just as he commanded him. [10] He and Aaron gathered the assembly together in front of the rock and Moses said to them, “Listen, you rebels, must we bring you water out of this rock?” [11] Then Moses raised his arm and struck the rock twice with his staff. Water gushed out, and the community and their livestock drank. [12] But the LORD said to Moses and Aaron, “Because you did not trust in me enough to honor me as holy in the sight of the Israelites, you will not bring this community into the land I give them.” [13] These were the waters of Meribah, where the Israelites quarreled with the LORD and where he was proved holy among them. Scripture taken from the THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, NIV Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
What is the significance of the name Meribah?In Exodus 17:1-7 there was no water in the wilderness. Moses struck a rock, as God commanded him, and out came the water. And they all lived happily (although grumbly) ever after. In today’s passage, it looks a bit like a rerun. Another day, another desert; more complaining, more thirst; another rock, another staff. Does Moses think, Okay, water from the rock I can do. Stand aside, God, while I work my magic? Honestly, interpreters have been wondering for centuries why Moses’ offense cost him seeing the Promised Land: Was it the double striking? Or making an impressive announcement beforehand? Something in his attitude to “you rebels” (10)? The passage doesn’t say. But it does say that Moses didn’t trust God (12). And that God is holy. Maybe that’s all we need to know. The result for Moses is the same as when the people didn’t trust God in chapter 14: he will not enter the land. And do you think the people are about to intercede for Moses as he did for them in chapter 14? We don’t see that.
Apply
Consider if there are areas in your life where you are grumbling before God. Turn from them and trust God.
Closing prayer
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, You are God and I honor You. You are holy and majestic and all Your ways are good.
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