“Take the staff, and assemble the congregation, you and Aaron your brother, and tell the rock before their eyes to yield its water. So you shall bring water out of the rock for them and give drink to the congregation and their cattle” (Numbers 20:8 ESV).
There were two occasions when God empowered Moses to call forth water from the rock. The first was at Horeb, early in the Israelites 40 year trek through the wilderness. At that time, Moses was instructed by God to “strike the rock,” and water would come out of it for the people to drink (Ex.17). And Moses obeyed. Some 38 years later, the children of the generation who had complained against Moses at Horeb, now complained at Meribah. The sins of the fathers were passed on to the sons. Complaining is catching.
This second time, God told Moses to “speak to the rock” and it would yield water. But Moses disobeyed. Nearly 40 years of the Israelites’ complaining had no doubt taken a toll on him. So Moses, took his rod and struck the rock twice, yelling, “Hear now, you rebels! Must we bring water for you out of this rock?” (Num. 20:10). Moses acted out of frustration and anger. He not only struck the rock rather than speaking to it, he took credit for the miracle: “Must we fetch water for you?”
The Lord still honored Moses before the people, allowing water to gush forth from the rock in spite of his disobedience. But Moses and Aaron would pay the price for not considering the Lord’s holiness before the people. Neither of them would enter the Promised Land.
The issue is not whether to “speak or strike.” The issue is about obeying God’s Word and giving Him all the credit for what that obedience brings forth. The issue is whether we will act out of frustration or faith.
PRAYER: Dear Father, forgive us when we act out of frustration rather than faith. We do not want to take the glory for that which You have accomplished in our lives. We give You all the glory. Help us to walk by faith today. In Jesus’ name, amen.