When our God is small, we lose focus of Him.
When our God is too small, we lose focus on him.
Numbers 20:1-13
“Because you have not believed Me, to treat Me as holy in the sight of the sons of Israel, therefore you shall not bring this assembly into the land which I have given them.”
No one is exempt from God’s discipline or failure to walk in obedience to God. The story of the water at Meribah reveals that God does not show favoritism. Even those who are his appointed leaders are subject to his disciple if they fail to honor God.
Before we delve into the story of Moses and Aaron’s failure, it is vital to note the death of Miriam. It was Miriam who had helped protect Moses and watched over him when he was placed in a basket. In Exodus 15, Miriam is referred to as a Prophetess as she leads the Israelites in thanksgiving for God’s deliverance. In Micah 6:4, the prophet points out that God sent Moses, Aaron, and Miriam to deliver the people of Israel. Consequently, her death was a significant loss for Moses. It was both a personal loss as well as the loss of an essential part of the leadership team. This perhaps gives us a clue why Moses’ and Aaron’s reacted as they did. We are more susceptible to temptation when going through struggles that drain us emotionally. Such may have been the case with Aron and Moses.
Dealing with their loss, coupled with the complaints of the people, overwhelmed Moses and Aaron. The people blamed Moses and Aaron for their crisis. In response, God commanded Moses to speak to a rock to bring forth water. By speaking to the rock, it would be clear that they were merely the agents through whom God would perform his miraculous provision of water. However, in verse 10, we find Moses usurped the word of the Lord by taking credit for bringing water, for he says, “Shall we bring forth water for you out of this rock?” Then instead of speaking to the rock, he strikes the rock twice.
Instead of bringing glory to God and believing in God’s provision, Moses and Aaron focused on themselves and felt they had to perform the miracle in their way. Previously, God had brought water from the rocks by having Moses strike the rock. However, by striking the rock, Moses and Aaron implied that it was through their actions and power rather than God’s grace. As a result, they doubted God’s promise. As a result, God disciplined Moses and Aaron by stating that they would not enter the promised land.
It is easy to lose sight of God when going through trials and difficult circumstances. Grief and struggles can blind us as we see the problems before us rather than the God who stands beside us. In the end, God becomes small. When this happens, our focus shifts from God and his activity to the struggles and problems we face in life. We are easily distracted in our focus. Like Moses, instead of seeing the events as an opportunity for God to display his power and greatness in a fresh way, we lose sight of him and start to rely upon our strength. Instead of trusting him, we only trust ourselves.
The story ends with a lesson for Moses and Aaron and all of Israel. The waters were named “Meribah,” which means “strife or contention,” often used of a lawsuit against someone for their failure to fulfill their contractual agreements. The people had brought a complaint that God was not faithful to his promise. But God has proven himself holy among them. Therefore, when we live in light of God’s greatness, we can rest in the assurance that God is always faithful and accurate and that no threat is greater than God and his promises.
Numbers 20:1-13
“Because you have not believed Me, to treat Me as holy in the sight of the sons of Israel, therefore you shall not bring this assembly into the land which I have given them.”
No one is exempt from God’s discipline or failure to walk in obedience to God. The story of the water at Meribah reveals that God does not show favoritism. Even those who are his appointed leaders are subject to his disciple if they fail to honor God.
Before we delve into the story of Moses and Aaron’s failure, it is vital to note the death of Miriam. It was Miriam who had helped protect Moses and watched over him when he was placed in a basket. In Exodus 15, Miriam is referred to as a Prophetess as she leads the Israelites in thanksgiving for God’s deliverance. In Micah 6:4, the prophet points out that God sent Moses, Aaron, and Miriam to deliver the people of Israel. Consequently, her death was a significant loss for Moses. It was both a personal loss as well as the loss of an essential part of the leadership team. This perhaps gives us a clue why Moses’ and Aaron’s reacted as they did. We are more susceptible to temptation when going through struggles that drain us emotionally. Such may have been the case with Aron and Moses.
Dealing with their loss, coupled with the complaints of the people, overwhelmed Moses and Aaron. The people blamed Moses and Aaron for their crisis. In response, God commanded Moses to speak to a rock to bring forth water. By speaking to the rock, it would be clear that they were merely the agents through whom God would perform his miraculous provision of water. However, in verse 10, we find Moses usurped the word of the Lord by taking credit for bringing water, for he says, “Shall we bring forth water for you out of this rock?” Then instead of speaking to the rock, he strikes the rock twice.
Instead of bringing glory to God and believing in God’s provision, Moses and Aaron focused on themselves and felt they had to perform the miracle in their way. Previously, God had brought water from the rocks by having Moses strike the rock. However, by striking the rock, Moses and Aaron implied that it was through their actions and power rather than God’s grace. As a result, they doubted God’s promise. As a result, God disciplined Moses and Aaron by stating that they would not enter the promised land.
It is easy to lose sight of God when going through trials and difficult circumstances. Grief and struggles can blind us as we see the problems before us rather than the God who stands beside us. In the end, God becomes small. When this happens, our focus shifts from God and his activity to the struggles and problems we face in life. We are easily distracted in our focus. Like Moses, instead of seeing the events as an opportunity for God to display his power and greatness in a fresh way, we lose sight of him and start to rely upon our strength. Instead of trusting him, we only trust ourselves.
The story ends with a lesson for Moses and Aaron and all of Israel. The waters were named “Meribah,” which means “strife or contention,” often used of a lawsuit against someone for their failure to fulfill their contractual agreements. The people had brought a complaint that God was not faithful to his promise. But God has proven himself holy among them. Therefore, when we live in light of God’s greatness, we can rest in the assurance that God is always faithful and accurate and that no threat is greater than God and his promises.
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