Scripture Notes: Moses’ Sin (Numbers 20)

Moses was frustrated. The people were clamoring for water again, whining and complaining that they would rather have died than experience all this misery in the wilderness. They had already forgotten all the times God had given them exactly what they needed exactly when they needed it. Food. Water. Protection. God had provided it all. And they still didn’t trust Him.

This time, God told Moses and Aaron to gather the people and tell the rock to yield water for them. By doing so, they were to, once again, reveal God’s care and His glory. But Moses did not obey God. Instead, he gave the people a tongue lashing. “Hear now, you rebels,” he proclaimed, “shall we bring forth water for you out of this rock?” Then he struck the rock twice with Aaron’s staff. Water flowed out, but so did God’s wrath on Moses and Aaron.

Why? First, Moses and Aaron didn’t follow God’s instructions. They were supposed to merely tell the rock to give water. Instead, Moses struck the rock. He had done this before, so he probably thought it appropriate. But it was not. When God says to do things a certain way, that is how they must be done.

But even more, Moses’ words show that something has gone amiss in his heart. He asked the people, “shall we bring forth water for you out of this rock?” God has slid into the background. Moses and Aaron were taking center stage. Moses was suggesting that they were the ones performing the miracle. But of course, they were not, and to even suggest it was a long way from revealing God’s care and glory.

This sin was enough for God to tell Moses and Aaron that they would not be entering the Promised Land. They would die in the wilderness.