Wondered by the Word — The Bible in a YearSample

Hearts Harder Than Stone

Key Verse: Number 20:9-13

Have you ever felt so much external pressure that you wanted to snap? I have, and it usually happens towards my family. I’ve had a long say of work, feeling overwhelmed by my responsibilities, and one person said the wrong thing to set me into a spin. Frustrated when my toddler asks me for more milk or my husband asks me to grab the remote, and I snap back.

Moses was no doubt feeling overwhelmed and frustrated in Numbers 20 as the people grumble. Actually, they were rising up to quarrel against Moses because they were thirsty. Instead of giving God thanks for His continued provision in their lives and humbly asking for more water, they grumbled and fought.

Moses proceeds to go to the Lord for direction, and God tells him to take his rod—a symbol of God’s previous great works—and to speak to a rock for water to come forth.

So, Moses goes to the rock but instead of speaking to it, he hits it and water comes forth. Yet, God was not pleased with Moses for the act. In fact, He tells Moses that he can no longer enter the Promised Land. Ouch! 

Why such a big consequence? What did Moses do? Well, it appears Moses did three things wrong as he acted out of frustration and anger at the pressure around him.

First, Moses gives a little speech to the Israelites before he hits the rock and declares, “Must we bring water out of this rock for you?” As if Moses had the power to bring water from a rock. It shows pride.

Second, Moses hit the rock instead of speaking to it, which God had clearly told Moses to do. Instead of trusting God’s instruction and relying on a more earthy tool (the rod), Moses showed a lack of reverence in using an action rather than a word as God commanded.

Third, God tells Moses that he will no longer go to the Promised Land because “you did not trust me to demonstrate my holiness in the site of the Israelites.” Moses showed a lack of trust and disobedience—a lack of faith— with this act. And it cost him.

You and I must be careful how we walk and live out our lives. We must be careful not to take matters into our own hands, or show a lack of trust by working out a situation how we think it should be done, no matter how small the tweak to God’s plan it might seem.

The world will pressure you to compromise, even just a little. But please don’t allow the grumbling to press in so much that you snap back in disobedience.

(Written by Brittany Rust)