There have been numerous bad decisions throughout history. If you’re like me, I’m sure you’ve made quite a few yourself.
I read this week about a bad decision that was made in the music industry. Decca Records (a Great Britain record label) was looking for new talent in the early 1960s. A young group of guys came in with their instruments and played a few songs. They were told that “guitar groups are on their way out,” and the record label would look for other groups. The young group of guys that were turned down were known as The Silver Beatles, but they later shortened their name to The Beatles.
Sometimes, we think we know better what to do in a situation than others. If we are honest, there have probably been times when we even thought we knew better than God. We know that doesn’t sound right, but we still do it sometimes.
Today, I want to look at an instance in the Old Testament where we see this very thing happening.
1 The entire Israelite community entered the Wilderness of Zin in the first month, and they settled in Kadesh. Miriam died and was buried there. 2 There was no water for the community, so they assembled against Moses and Aaron. 3 The people quarreled with Moses and said, “If only we had perished when our brothers perished before the Lord. 4 Why have you brought the Lord’s assembly into this wilderness for us and our livestock to die here? 5 Why have you led us up from Egypt to bring us to this evil place? It’s not a place of grain, figs, vines, and pomegranates, and there is no water to drink!” 6 Then Moses and Aaron went from the presence of the assembly to the doorway of the tent of meeting. They fell facedown, and the glory of the Lord appeared to them. 7 The Lord spoke to Moses, 8 “Take the staff and assemble the community. You and your brother Aaron are to speak to the rock while they watch, and it will yield its water. You will bring out water for them from the rock and provide drink for the community and their livestock.” 9 So Moses took the staff from the Lord’s presence just as he had commanded him. 10 Moses and Aaron summoned the assembly in front of the rock, and Moses said to them, “Listen, you rebels! Must we bring water out of this rock for you?” 11 Then Moses raised his hand and struck the rock twice with his staff, so that abundant water gushed out, and the community and their livestock drank. 12 But the Lord said to Moses and Aaron, “Because you did not trust me to demonstrate my holiness in the sight of the Israelites, you will not bring this assembly into the land I have given them.” 13 These are the Waters of Meribah, where the Israelites quarreled with the Lord, and he demonstrated his holiness to them.
Numbers 20:1–13 CSB
The Israelites come to a wilderness
In verse 1 of this passage, the Israelites are on their journey toward the Promised Land. God has given them a new identity by rescuing them from bondage in Egypt and taking them to a place of their own. This journey was not an easy one. It was filled with moments that would stretch the Israelites.
The Israelites come to a wilderness area known as the Wilderness of Zin. This was a place that did not have many resources. With a group the size of the Israelites, this area would prove to be a testing ground.
The journey each of us is on, called life, tends to take us to difficult places. Because of sin, these difficult places are all around us. They will stretch us, make us uncomfortable, and cause significant pain if we are not careful.
In verses 2-5, we see the Israelites beginning to complain. Isn’t that our typical reaction to circumstances that we do not like? It is evidence of our sinful nature. Have you ever noticed that you do not need to teach someone to complain? They can do that on their own.
The leaders go before the Lord
In verses 6-8, the leaders (Moses and Aaron) take this issue before the Lord. They know they do not have an answer to this situation, so they seek the Lord’s wisdom. This is a good tool that we have at our disposal. The Lord is infinite in wisdom and willing to share what we need with us.
Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and incomprehensible things you do not know.
Jeremiah 33:3 CSB
The Lord gives them specific instructions: take the staff, assemble the people, and speak to the rock. The Lord knows what we need, and He has a plan to meet every one of our needs. We may not see it at the moment, but it is there.
Moses brings the Lord’s answer to the people
In verses 9-11, we see Moses bringing the Lord’s remedy to the problem at hand. We also see that Moses’ anger grew somewhere in the journey back to the people. When he gets to the people, he takes matters into his own hands. Instead of doing the Lord’s plan the way the Lord had said, Moses reverts to what he had experienced before. In Exodus 17, we see a similar situation. The people needed water, and Moses was commanded to strike the rock so water would flow. In this situation, found in Numbers 20, Moses was told to speak to the rock. He let his anger and frustration cloud his judgment. We must be careful not to let anger lead us to sin.
Be angry and do not sin. Don’t let the sun go down on your anger, and don’t give the devil an opportunity.
Ephesians 4:26–27 CSB
Moses was given the Lord’s plan in full detail. He chose not to obey it fully. We must be careful that we take the time to fully listen to the Lord and obey all of His word, not just the points we think are important.
The Lord pronounces judgment on the leaders
In verses 12-13, we see a high cost comes with disobedience. The Lord tells Moses and Aaron because they didn’t obey His commands, they would not enter the Promised Land. This judgment may seem harsh. I mean, Moses and Aaron did most of what the Lord told them to do. It was just one element of the plan they didn’t do right.
For whoever keeps the entire law, and yet stumbles at one point, is guilty of breaking it all.
James 2:10 CSB
Applications
Know the Lord cares for you, and you can always go to Him
As we walk this life, we will encounter situations where we need the Lord’s wisdom. Because of what Jesus did on our behalf, we can confidently come before the throne of grace and receive what we need.
Be careful to hear and follow all of the Lord’s directions
Each of us is responsible for both hearing the Lord and obeying Him fully. While 90% might get you an “A” in school, it does not bring about complete obedience before the Lord. Thankfully, we have an Advocate that stands before God the Father on our behalf when we do not fully measure up — Jesus. As we trust in and follow Him, He applies His perfect righteousness to us.
No one is above falling
I’m sure it was a jolt to many people to hear the judgment come down on Moses. He was the mighty leader of the Israelites. While the Lord used Moses remarkably, he was still a man. Every one of us has the capability to fall short of the Lord’s desire. The titles that we may possess do not give us a pass.
Don’t let anger get you sidetracked
Anger is a strong emotion each of us can have. Anger can cloud our vision and direct us down a path we do not want to go. Anger in itself is not sin, but it can easily lead to sin if we are not careful. Let us remember Paul’s warning to not give the devil a foothold in our lives by letting our anger guide us instead of the Lord.
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