Total Obedience

Numbers 20
1 In the first month of the year, the whole community of Israel arrived in the wilderness of Zin and camped at Kadesh. While they were there, Miriam died and was buried.

2 There was no water for the people to drink at that place, so they rebelled against Moses and Aaron. 3 The people blamed Moses and said, “If only we had died in the Lord’s presence with our brothers! 4 Why have you brought the congregation of the Lord’s people into this wilderness to die, along with all our livestock? 5 Why did you make us leave Egypt and bring us here to this terrible place? This land has no grain, no figs, no grapes, no pomegranates, and no water to drink!”

6 Moses and Aaron turned away from the people and went to the entrance of the Tabernacle, where they fell face down on the ground. Then the glorious presence of the Lord appeared to them, 7 and the Lord said to Moses, 8 “You and Aaron must take the staff and assemble the entire community. As the people watch, speak to the rock over there, and it will pour out its water. You will provide enough water from the rock to satisfy the whole community and their livestock.”

9 So Moses did as he was told. He took the staff from the place where it was kept before the Lord. 10 Then he and Aaron summoned the people to come and gather at the rock. “Listen, you rebels!” he shouted. “Must we bring you water from this rock?” 11 Then Moses raised his hand and struck the rock twice with the staff, and water gushed out. So the entire community and their livestock drank their fill.

12 But the Lord said to Moses and Aaron, “Because you did not trust me enough to demonstrate my holiness to the people of Israel, you will not lead them into the land I am giving them!” 13 This place was known as the waters of Meribah (which means “arguing”) because there the people of Israel argued with the Lord, and there he demonstrated his holiness among them.

Moses, the powerful choleric leader let his temper get the best of him, and it cost him a chance to lead the people into the Promised Land. God told Moses to “speak to the rock,” but Moses got impatient with the people and “struck the rock twice with the staff” producing the water that the whiners wanted. When following God’s instructions, it is best to follow them exactly. You cannot add your own flair to it. That’s what freaks me out with the whole “pray Jesus into your heart” movement. It is a man-made misinterpretation of God’s clear plan of salvation! If Moses wasn’t allowed to lead the children of Israel into the Promised Land because he didn’t fully obey God, how much more so can it be for those who do not teach what the Gospel teaches about salvation? How much more important is it then, for those of us who know what the Bible teaches to help those who do not know the rest of the story?