I admired Moses for many reasons. He was so full of courage and patience that I could not even begin to imagine being like him. God gave him the honor of bringing the Jews out of captivity and giving The Laws of God to the World through the Jews. He was human and had a few human flaws, like we all do. Moses had a problem with anger sometimes. Joshua and Caleb were the only two people from the original generation of captives that were able to enter into the Promise Land. Most of us are not even in the same League as Moses, Joshua and Caleb.
I Thought it Was Unfair
As a new Christian I was upset that Moses did not get to physically go into the Promise Land with the people he had helped lead out of Egypt. I thought it was unfair. If Moses cannot go into the Promise Land after so much courage and patience, then what chance would someone like me have? Sure he got to go to heaven and be with God and would even get to go to the Transfiguration of Jesus as seen in Mark 9. Yet, I really wanted to see him succeed and go into the Promise Land. I was rooting for his success as I read Exodus 17 and Numbers 20 and I was confused and upset by his end.
God Had to Discipline His Child
Jesus is represented as the Rock in the story of Moses and needed to be struck down only once for our sins, not twice. Moses did not follow God’s instruction and struck the rock a second time in anger. God had to discipline His child. What Moses was told to do was important. Moses was not just leading the captives out of physical slavery. He was also pointing towards the Messiah, the Rock, Yeshua, Jesus.
Why would God want Moses to only speak to the Rock for water the second time? I think it is because after Jesus was struck down for our sins as the Lamb of God, then we could come to Him and ask for the Living Water. I think God wants us to make sure we understand living water comes out of the Rock of God. We should ask for what we need.
God Uses Everything to Bless Us
I believe God uses everything to bless us. Even by disciplining Moses, God sets an example for us. God does not show favoritism. He disciplines all of His children, no matter how awesome they are. If God was going to show favoritism by not disciplining any of His children, surely it would be Moses and David. Who are we to think we can sin against God and not be disciplined? Therefore, we should be slow to sin and quick to repent.
Moses Was Rewarded
We know from the Transfiguration in Mark 7 and many other passages in the Bible that Moses is highly honored. I can finally let go of my disappointment that Moses did not get to physically go into the Promise Land with Joshua and Caleb. I can rest assured that Moses was rewarded by God for His faithful service. I can understand how those murmuring unruly, immature and downright sinful people could annoy Moses. However, God has used Moses to remind me to pray that my heart and mind will be cleansed from any bitterness and hatred through Jesus the Christ.
Prayer For Those Dealing with Anger, Hate or Bitterness
Lord God Almighty, sanctify me in the Holiness of Your Holy Spirit. You are my healer, The Lord Who Heals in Exodus 15 that changed bitter waters into sweet water. I can trust You to replace the hate and bitterness in my heart with Your healing love. I hate the congregation of evil doers, and my heart is torn from all of the hatred. Redeem me and be merciful to me. I long to praise You with my whole heart, but it is torn by the storms of anger, hatred and bitterness within me. How can I serve You when my heart is held captive so easily by the storms of evil around me?
Even Moses was not able to enter into the Promise Land because he gave into the raging storm within his own heart. He sinned against You after so much faithfulness. I am weaker than Moses. How can I serve You with such an easily wounded heart? Jesus, please heal my whole heart so I will not sin against You. I want to keep my eyes on Jesus the Christ because You can be trusted! I call upon You now because You are a faithful God, full of mercy and grace. Lord Jesus, Your thoughts are not my thoughts, and Your ways are not my ways. You are without sin, and I fear I will fail You due to my human weaknesses. So, I put my weakness in Your hands now.
If You speak healing over me, then I will be healed, because Your Word accomplishes exactly what You want it to do. Will You heal me? If You say yes, then I shall go out with joy and be led by You in peace. There will be singing and rejoicing all around me. I will see the Holy Spirit moving all around me and within me. As with King David, I will see even the trees clapping their hands because, You have mended my broken heart and wounded spirit. You have anointed me and given me the covenant of David. Like David, I will have a heart for God and worship You with my whole heart because, You have shown me great mercy and love. Amen.