Moses-The Friend of God-Part 14- A Costly Mistake

Introduction-Numbers 20:1-13

In this passage we have the record of what was apparently a regular occurence among the children of Israel, murmuring and complaining.

Tonight we will consider the circumstances that Moses faced and his reaction to them in order that we might learn from his mistake.

Some seem to believe that the best way to learn is to make mistakes but it would be far better if we would learn from the mistakes of others that we would not have to repeat them.

This passage begins with a record of the circumstances Moses was facing.

The Stressors (Vs. 1-5)

Moses is facing some very difficult circumstances and there are a number of things that together surely placed Moses under a great deal of stress.

God has led them to a desert place and they have dwelled there for some time and while they are there Miriam dies.

Miriam was Moses sister and had traveled with him throughout the journey through the wilderness and surely they must have had a close relationship.

It must have been difficult for Moses to lose his sister just as it is always difficult for us to lose a close family member.

Yet this is just the beginning of Moses’s troubles.

At the same time the water source that they must have been relying on has now dried up and there is no water to quench the thirst of the congregation.

Yet if this was not difficult enough Moses is then blamed for the water shortage as though he is the one at fault.

The people come to Moses and complain to him as though it is he who is in control of the flow of the water.

Not only do they complain but once again they suggest that it had been better for them to have died earlier in the journey.

Then they suggest that Moses is to blame as though he is the one who has led them into their present circumstances as they complain of the lack of nourishment in the desert.

There can be no doubt that in these circumstances Moses was facing a great deal of pressure and must have been under a tremendous amount of stress.

The truth is many of us know what it is like to have problems mounting and pressure rising as we face the stressors in our own lives.

We all face varying degrees of stress and this is merely a part of the human condition.

Then we see...

The Response (Vs. 6-8)

The immediate response of Moses and Aaron was the right response.

When the pressures mounted Moses and Aaron pulled apart from the people to approach unto God.

In this we find a positive example of how we should respond when we face stress and pressure.

When they approach God the glory of the Lord appears and the Lord speaks to them providing them instructions for dealing with their present problems.

The Lord responds that Moses should gather the people together and take the rod and speak to the rock before the eyes of the people and God promises that then water will begin to flow forth from the rock.

The instructions that God gave were plainly stated and there was no way that Moses and Aaron could have misunderstood what God had instructed them to do.

The Mistake (Vs. 9-11)

Moses and Aaron knew what God had instructed them to do but apparently the stress and frustration they were feeling influenced their actions.

Moses took the rod just as God had commanded him to do but rather than speaking to the rock as God had instructed him to do he spoke harshly to the people.

Instead of speaking to the rock he smote the rock twice and the water came forth.

It appears on the surface that what Moses did worked but this does not change the fact that he rebelled against God.

Moses essentially presumes to take it upon himself to produce water for the people rather than doing what God ahd said.

Throughout history there have been many who have fell to the same temptation to respond wrongly in a stressful situation.

Often our greatest mistakes come in a momentary lapse of judgment due to anger, frustration, or stress.

Rather than allowing God to handle the issue Moses took it upon himself and failed to do what God had said.

The Cost (Vs. 12-13)

Immediately after Moses smote the rock God speaks to he and Aaron about their decision to disboey.

The problem was that they had failed to trust God and had failed to follow His Word.

God was to use this moment to prove to the people that He would provide for them and that He was the one who was in control of their circumstances but because Moses and Aaron did not obey the purpose was thwarted.

It was this mistake that cost both Moses and Aaron the opportunity to enter the promised land.

This provides a valuable lesson that what we do in a moment of frustration or pressure can have far reaching consequences.

They could otherwise have led the people into the land of promise but this momentary lapse in judgment and the subequent actions caused them to be barred from entering.

We must recognize how significant the consequences of our rebellion against God can be.

We must determine that even when the pressure increases and emotions are high we must still follow God.

Conclusion

Tonight it may be that you have made mistakes in the past and you have not experienced such severe consequences.

This does not mean that the next mistake you make could not have far reaching and long lasting consequences.

We can choose our respones in circumstances, but we do not get to choose the consequences of our actions.

May we be on guard against the temptation to allow our emotions and furstrations to cause us to sin against God.