“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.”
Context:In Numbers 20, the Israelites are wandering in the wilderness after their deliverance from Egypt. They are now at a place called Meribah, where they face a water shortage. The people begin to complain and quarrel with Moses and Aaron, expressing their dissatisfaction and thirst.
Instruction to Moses:In this verse, God commands Moses to take the rod, which was a symbol of his authority as the leader appointed by God, and gather the assembly, including Aaron, his brother and the high priest. God instructs Moses to speak to the rock before the eyes of the people.
Symbolism of the Rock:The rock is a significant element in this passage. In other instances, God provided water for the Israelites miraculously from a rock (Exodus 17:6). Here, God tells Moses to speak to the rock, and water will come forth. The rock symbolises God’s power and provision, demonstrating that He is the source of life-giving water in the wilderness.
Disobedience of Moses:However, we later learn that Moses disobeys God’s command. Instead of speaking to the rock, he strikes it twice with his rod in frustration due to the people’s persistent complaints. Water still flows out, but God is displeased with Moses’ disobedience and lack of trust in Him.
Consequences of Moses’ Actions:Due to Moses’ disobedience, God declares that he and Aaron will not be the ones to lead the Israelites into the Promised Land. They would see it from a distance but would not enter it themselves (Numbers 20:12).
Lessons and Application:
- Obedience and Trust:One of the primary lessons from this passage is the importance of obedience and trust in God’s instructions. Moses allowed frustration and anger to cloud his judgment, leading him to act in disobedience. It serves as a reminder for us to trust in God’s guidance and follow His commands even when faced with challenging circumstances.
- Representation of Christ:The rock, which provided water for the thirsty Israelites, serves as a foreshadowing of Christ. In the New Testament, Paul refers to this event and suggests that the rock represented Christ (1 Corinthians 10:4). Just as the rock provided water for physical thirst, Jesus offers living water for our spiritual thirst (John 4:14).
- Consequences of Disobedience:Moses’ disobedience had consequences. While God’s mercy was still evident, allowing water to flow from the rock, Moses and Aaron faced the discipline of not entering the Promised Land. This emphasises the seriousness of disobedience and the need to heed God’s instructions.
- God’s Provision:Despite Moses’ disobedience, God still provided water for the people. This highlights God’s faithfulness and His willingness to meet the needs of His people, even when they fall short. It is a reminder that God’s grace and provision are not dependent on our perfect obedience but on His mercy and love.
In summary, Numbers 20:8 teaches us about obedience, trust in God’s instructions, and the consequences of disobedience. It also points to the provision of God and
