Heart Matters: “…and the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, “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.” And Moses took the staff from before the LORD, as He commanded him. Then Moses and Aaron gathered the assembly together before the rock, and he said to them, “Hear now, you rebels: shall we bring water for you out of this rock?” And Moses lifted up his hand and struck the rock with his staff twice, and water came out abundantly, and the congregation drank, and their livestock.” Numbers 20: 7-11

Moses was a friend of God, a man with whom the LORD met with face to face, whose life was marked by his commitment and love for the LORD. He was chosen, greatly used of and honored by GOD. In fact, the LORD says he was “… very humble, more than all men who were on the face of the earth.” Yet he still has a very real moment with both frustration and anger as documented in the passages above.

The Word of God doesn’t neglect to share the weaknesses and struggles of the LORD’s servants. In fact, it provides us with very real and relatable examples of the conflict we can experience as we too seek to follow Christ. More importantly, right alongside the stories of God’s chosen vessels, are present the unrelenting faithful character of GOD, and HIS amazing ability to consistently show up strong for us while accomplishing His perfect will, even in our times of failure.

Moses had been greatly used of God, but that call on his life also came with great responsibility and cost. It wasn’t easy being God’s representative to a group of people who were quick to become restless and complaining, despite God’s persistence in delivering them. It must have been hard for Moses not to take it personally when the children of Israel neglected to remain grateful. Better yet, as their leader, his greatest heart’s desire was to see them being blessed and walking in victory (even to the point of offering to have his own name blotted out of the book of life for their sake). There’s nothing quite like knowing what’s best for someone but feeling helpless to convince them of the same. Moses was a humble man, but he still was human. In the Scriptures above, the children of Israel provoked Moses to anger. Instead of “speaking” to the rock as the LORD had commanded, Moses “struck” the rock and in doing so disobeyed God in front of everyone.

Although Moses had taken the staff as the Lord commanded, he’d gathered the assembly as HE instructed, he went left when he strayed from the voice of God and gave way to his own emotional disdain by striking the rock instead of speaking to it. It’s never a good idea to substitute something of our own doing in place of what God has told us to do. Perhaps Moses thought it was okay since he implemented something he had been previously told by GOD to do. In Exodus 17, Moses was commissioned by God to strike a rock (once) to provide water for the children of Israel. Just maybe this time Moses reasoned that striking the rock again wouldn’t be all that bad. After all, the LORD Himself had ordained it before. Yet his striking that rock, twice no less, was an indication of what may have really been at play-that is, his anger. Anger can come from a lot of places: injustices; harsh experiences; evil; and/or having to deal with the same dysfunction repeatedly. Most times, there are underlying issues which are exasperated by recent unsavory events. Moses had recently loss his sister Miriam. Perhaps his grief, coupled with the Israelites persistent complaints, became the straw that broke camel’s back. Herein lies a lesson for us all. It’s important that we examine our hearts and keep short accounts with the LORD. Otherwise, we may think that we have it all under control and all it will take is just one more thing to trip us up.

Thankfully, the Lord can handle it and He won’t allow our shortcomings to interfere with what He has already determined to do. Nothing can thwart the plans and purposes of the LORD! Even when we get it wrong, He can make it right! Although Moses disobeyed, the LORD still made water come from that rock! He didn’t let Moses’ act of rebellion stop Him for providing for His people. How incredible it is no know that in Christ we are never left to ourselves. Our faithful God can always handle our failures!

In fact, the LORD will use our vulnerabilities and temptations to reveal our areas of sinfulness. Moses striking the rock when God said speak to it, was not the first time that Moses lost his temper. In Exodus 32 when Moses came down from Mount Sinai with the 10 Commandments and saw the golden calf and the people’s willful idolatry, “Moses’ anger became hot, and he cast the tablets out of his hands and broke them at the foot of the mountain.” (Verse 19). Although Moses had just interceded for them, turning away the wrath of God upon them, when he saw their sin for himself, his anger burned against them. He responded by throwing down the tablets God had given him, breaking them into pieces. The Commandments written by the hand of God (Exodus 24:12) were destroyed. Still, God’s mercy prevailed! Moses breaking those tablets did not prevent God from providing the written instructions He wanted the children of Israel to receive.  

After the rebellion of the golden calf, The LORD had Moses “cut two tablets of stone like the first ones..” (Exodus 34: 1) so that the Commandments could be recorded once again. In between the creation of the two sets, Moses got to experience something super beautiful with the LORD, an encounter which undoubtably comforted and motivated Moses as he once again spent significant time on Mount Sinai.  Following the chaos, disappointment, and loss due to Israel’s idolatry, the LORD graciously agreed to show Moses His glory!

Because of the recorded Word of God, we too can revel in His glorious character! When we fail, grow weary, or become discouraged, we need to remember Who the LORD says He is. Just as He declared to Moses all those years ago, again He says to us today, that HE IS “…merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abounding in goodness and truth…” (Exodus 33:6). Our weaknesses will never prevent the LORD from being GOD.

Moses’ struck the rock instead of speaking to it. The LORD referred to it as an act of unbelief, one that would prevent him from leading the assembly into the Promise Land. But later in the New Testament we read of Moses’ incorruptible feet-now planted on the land, as he appeared on the Mount of Transfiguration speaking face to face with JESUS CHRIST! Indeed GOD is GOOD ALL THE TIME!

HEART TO HEART: THE LORD USES US AND STILL FULFILLS EVERY ONE OF HIS PROMISES!