“And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying,”
This verse serves as an introduction to the conversation that God has with Moses. It sets the context for the events that follow. To understand the significance of this verse, we need to look at the broader context of the passage.
In Numbers 20, the Israelites were in the wilderness of Zin, and they were experiencing a lack of water. The people began to quarrel with Moses and Aaron, blaming them for bringing them into the wilderness to die of thirst. Moses and Aaron went before the Lord, seeking guidance and help.
Numbers 20:8-11 (KJV) continues the account:
“8 Take the rod, and gather thou the assembly together, thou, and Aaron thy brother, and speak ye unto the rock before their eyes, and it shall give forth his water, and thou shalt bring forth to them water out of the rock: so thou shalt give the congregation and their beasts drink.
And Moses took the rod from before the LORD, as he commanded him.: 10 And Moses and Aaron gathered the congregation together before the rock, and he said unto them, Hear now, ye rebels; must we fetch you water out of this rock?
And Moses lifted up his hand, and with his rod he smote the rock twice:and the water came out abundantly, and the congregation drank, and their beasts also.
In this passage, God instructs Moses to speak to the rock, and it would bring forth water for the people and their livestock. However, instead of following God’s explicit command, Moses struck the rock twice with his rod, seemingly out of frustration and anger with the Israelites.
Numbers 20:12 (KJV) records the consequences of Moses’ actions:
“And the LORD spake unto Moses and Aaron, Because ye believed me not, to sanctify me in the eyes of the children of Israel, therefore ye shall not bring this congregation into the land which I have given them.”
Due to Moses’ failure to uphold God’s command and his lack of trust in God’s power, both Moses and Aaron were denied entry into the Promised Land. This incident emphasizes the importance of obedience and faith in God’s instructions.
From a spiritual perspective, we can draw several lessons from this passage:
- Obedience to God:God’s instructions are not to be taken lightly. It is crucial for believers to listen attentively and follow God’s commands. Moses’ act of disobedience had severe consequences.
- Trust in God’s power:God assured Moses that speaking to the rock would bring forth water. However, Moses let his frustration and anger cloud his judgment, leading to his disobedient action. It reminds us to trust in God’s power and to rely on Him completely in challenging situations.
- Honoring God’s holiness:God wanted to be sanctified in the eyes of the people. Moses’ disobedience displayed a lack of reverence for God’s holiness. As believers, it is essential to honor and sanctify God’s name in our lives and actions.
- Consequences of disobedience:Moses’ punishment of not entering the Promised Land serves as a reminder that disobedience to God carries consequences. Even leaders and those close to God can face disciplinary actions for their disobedient behavior.
In summary, Numbers 20:7 (KJV) serves as an introduction to the events that unfolded in the passage. The subsequent verses reveal Moses’ disobedience and the consequences he faced. This passage teaches us about the importance of obedience, trust in God’s power, honoring God’s holiness, and the consequences of disobedience
