The importance of finishing well

In Numbers 20, we have the death of Miriam and Aaron and the judgment on Moses that he will not enter the promised land because of his disobedience. A careful reading of Numbers 20-21 shows this section to detail the last stage of Israel's journey. This is near the end of Moses’ life – and thirty-eight years into the trip. It is so close to the finish line.

1. When faced with criticism, don’t lose your cool and mess up.

This incident took place in “the first month” (Num. 20:1), which probably refers to the first month of Israel’s last year in the wilderness (cf. Num. 20:22-29 with 33:38). Within a year, they’d be crossing the Jordan and heading into Canaan. So close to the finish.

Chuck Swindoll writes that Moses had a lifelong anger problem that led him to this tragic failure at the end of his life. He points out that Moses was angry when he killed the Egyptian taskmaster who was beating a fellow Israelite (Exod. 2:11-12; Acts 7:23-24). Forty years later, God called Moses to return to Egypt and demand that Pharaoh let Israel go. Even though the Lord had told Moses that He would harden Pharaoh’s heart when Pharaoh repeatedly refused to let Israel go, Moses “went out from Pharaoh in hot anger” (Exod. 11:8), which was unnecessary. Later, when Moses went down from Mount Sinai and saw the people worshipping the golden calf, in anger, he smashed the Ten Commandments (Exod. 32:19). While his rage may have been righteous, Swindoll argues that God disapproved of his destroying those tablets. Moses’ unchecked pattern of anger is what now, 40 years later, caused him to strike the rock in anger, resulting in his being excluded from the Promised Land.

2. Little things matter a lot to finish well.

The incident in chapter 20 is very similar to the one 40 years before when God directed Moses to strike the rock with his rod to produce water for the grumbling people (Exodus 17:6). But this time, God directed Moses to take the rod, which symbolized his God-given authority. Still, instead of striking the rock, he was to speak to it. Moses began well by taking the rod, but then he disobeyed by striking the rock not just once but twice.

3. Be careful to give God the glory for everything He uses you to accomplish to finish well.

When Moses struck the rock in disobedience to the Lord’s command to speak to it, he said to the grumbling crowd (Num. 20:10), “Listen now, you rebels; shall we bring forth water for you out of this rock?” That question implied that Moses and Aaron could bring water from the rock. But as Alexander Maclaren writes, “He who claims power to himself denies it to God.”

Moses and Aaron became used to a relationship with God and a ministry for God. They grew into thinking of themselves as partners and not servants. That brought a subtle disregard in their heart. They no longer saw their intense need for God for every decision, every hour. As they “owned” their part as leaders – God lost the dedication that marked the days of their desperation years before.

4. Have a reverential fear of God’s holiness to finish well.

The Lord’s perspective on Moses’ striking the rock was (Num. 20:12), “Because you have not believed Me, to treat Me as holy in the sight of the sons of Israel, therefore you shall not bring this assembly into the land which I have given them.”

Disobedience to God’s commands means we’re not believing Him or treating Him as holy.

Finishing depends on running well now, no matter where you’re at.

Application Questions:

1. Are there seemingly small areas where you are not obeying God? Could you identify them and commit to obedience?

Quote:

Smart men walked on the moon, daring men walked on the ocean floor, but wise men walk with God. -Leonard Ravenhill

Prayer:

Lord, help me to finish well. Amen