Significant moments in life ... Part 2

Numbers 20:1-13 – The narration of the incident when Moses struck the rock rather than speaking to it.
Deut.32:48-52 – this was when God passed a verdict for Moses & Aaron that they will not enter the Promised Land.

Deut.32:48-52 – “On that same day the LORD told Moses, "Go up into the Abarim Range to Mount Nebo in Moab, across from Jericho, and view Canaan, the land I am giving the Israelites as their own possession. There on the mountain that you have climbed you will die and be gathered to your people, just as your brother Aaron died on Mount Hor and was gathered to his people. This is because both of you broke faith with me in the presence of the Israelites at the waters of Meribah Kadesh in the Desert of Zin and because you did not uphold my holiness among the Israelites. Therefore, you will see the land only from a distance; you will not enter the land I am giving to the people of Israel." (NIV)


Just this one disobedience cost Moses an entry into the Promised Land. It was a harsh call. Perhaps, Moses was not even thinking that it would be anything significant - after all, it was the same rock - instead of talking to it, as God had said, he hit it - and that's the only difference.

This was a SIGNIFICANT moment in the life of Moses – but sadly, he didn’t realize it.
If, Moses would have known that this disobedience was going to cost his entry into the Promised Land - do you think he would have done that? Probably not…

Imagine, having a role like Moses – having to lead that many grumbling / murmuring people for that many years. I’m sure he should have had the grace to at least disobey God once. But that’s not the case.


Moses had very good intentions. When the people grumbled for water, he didn’t assume that water would come from the rock like last time, but went to God to enquire. And as he was returning back after hearing God, perhaps he might have gotten a bit upset with the people for so quickly forgetting that God was their source of provision and no matter what the circumstances are He was able to provide for them. And it could be, that’s when frustration crept in – and when he arrived at the spot instead of speaking to the rock, he hit it in anger, maybe!
Interestingly, if you read through the incident in the book of Numbers, you will realize that the RESULT was the same, in spite of Moses' disobedience. People didn’t know that Moses disobeyed God; they were quenched of their thirst; but in the background God was not happy with Moses for what he had done.


How can God be so cruel and punish Moses with such a big consequence for a one-time mistake?
When we look at why God was so harsh for that one disobedience - to me, it’s NOT so much the disobedience - but God had other ideas about that moment in the life of the Israelites. And Moses failed to reflect just that. People saw the same old strategy like last time and perhaps they failed to see the Lord’s act behind this provision.
Here’s a powerful verse, which reveals that idea.
Cf. Psalm 103:7 – “He made known his ways to Moses, his deeds to the people of Israel”.

Maybe, God may have wanted the people of Israel to know his ways of provision, but sadly Moses’ act only depicted an act / deed of God .. and perhaps, that’s where Moses failed in upholding God’s holiness.

Whatever the interpretation, the truth is MOSES was punished for an act … which seemed like any ordinary moment at that time.

On the side here, note that Aaron was punished too .. for a long time, I had been wondering it was Moses who disobeyed, so why was Aaron punished? The fact is, Moses was told to speak to the rock – and the speaking was supposed to be done by Aaron, who failed in his responsibility as Moses’ mouthpiece – hence the punishment for him too!

As I dwell on this passage only one thing comes to my mind. I do not know what may be a significant moment in my life. I need to be in constant obedience to God’s command and His Word. And in light of that, I am called to make right choices at all times. Only God knows whether it’s a significant moment or not – so, rather than taking risks, let’s live our life as though it’s one of those moments in our life.
A split second decision can alter our life and our course/path forever!
Let’s hear God and obey Him.