Deuteronomy 32:48 – 52 “On that same day the LORD said to Moses, “Go up into the Abarim Range to Mount Nebo, in the land of Moab across from Jericho, and view the land of Canaan, which I am giving to the Israelites as their own possession.
And there on the mountain that you climb, you will die and be gathered to your people, just as your brother Aaron died on Mount Hor and was gathered to his people.
For at the waters of Meribah-kadesh in the Wilderness of Zin, both of you broke faith with Me among the Israelites by failing to treat Me as holy in their presence. Although you shall see from a distance the land that I am giving the Israelites, you shall not enter it.”
WHAT IS GOD DOING??? This is MOSES, the guy whom God used to lead the Israelites out of Egypt, the guy to whom God entrusted His laws, the guy who did miracles, the man who would speak to God and come out of the tabernacle with his face shining so brightly that he had to put a veil over it. BUT……but there was a day when Moses rebelled, and he paid heavily for that rebellion.
The story is told in Numbers 20:2 – 13 “Now there was no water for the congregation, so they gathered against Moses and Aaron. The people quarreled with Moses and said, “If only we had perished with our brothers before the LORD! Why have you brought the LORD’s assembly into this wilderness for us and our livestock to die here? Why have you led us up out of Egypt to bring us to this wretched place? It is not a place of grain, figs, vines, or pomegranates—and there is no water to drink!”
What a bunch of whiners! Every time things became a little tough, the Israelites conveniently forgot that they had been SLAVES in Egypt and only remembered the food! And how much of the things the Israelites listed did they actually get to eat? Generally, slaves don’t enjoy a very high – class diet.
“Then Moses and Aaron went from the presence of the assembly to the entrance of the Tent of Meeting. They fell facedown, and the glory of the LORD appeared to them. And the LORD said to Moses, “Take the staff and assemble the congregation. You and your brother Aaron are to speak to the rock while they watch, and it will pour out its water. You will bring out water from the rock and provide drink for the congregation and their livestock.” So Moses took the staff from the LORD’s presence, just as He had commanded. Then Moses and Aaron gathered the assembly in front of the rock, and Moses said to them, “Listen now, you rebels, must we bring you water out of this rock?” Then Moses raised his hand and struck the rock twice with his staff, so that a great amount of water gushed out, and the congregation and their livestock were able to drink.”
Poor Moses! The Israelites have gotten on his last nerve, and it’s likely that Aaron isn’t helping the situation much either. Aaron is one of those “go along to get along” people. During the previous water crisis, God did order Moses to strike the rock; however, this time, Moses was to speak to the rock, so that God would get every bit of the glory. It’s possible that last time, some of the Israelites spread a rumor that there was water just under that bit of rock and somehow Moses already knew about it. All we know is that Moses was infuriated with the Israelites and in his anger, he hit the rock not just once but twice. Moses accused the Israelites of being rebellious and then acted in complete rebellion himself. Now Moses is paying the ultimate penalty for his rebellion; he will look into the Promised Land but he will not set foot there until he appears with Elijah to speak with Jesus on the Mount of Transfiguration.
“But the LORD said to Moses and Aaron, “Because you did not trust Me to show My holiness in the sight of the Israelites, you will not bring this assembly into the land that I have given them.” These were the waters of Meribah, where the Israelites quarreled with the LORD, and He showed His holiness among them.”
APPLICATION: REBELLION! Even though God loved Moses and enjoyed times of fellowship with him, when Moses rebelled, he had to pay a heavy price. What’s so terrible about rebellion? Later on, King Saul loses his kingdom when he fails to totally destroy the Amalekites. The prophet Samuel bukes King Saul, “Behold, obedience is better than sacrifice, and attentiveness is better than the fat of rams. For rebellion is like the sin of divination, and arrogance is like the wickedness of idolatry.” (1 Samuel 15:22 – 23) Some other translations say that “rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft.” Both the sin of divination and the sin of idol worship were punishable by death.
Moses was probably one of the finest leaders ever to walk the earth. The Book of Exodus records that 600,000 men left Egypt; allowing for their families, that number likely was closer to 2,000,000 people. Then in the Wilderness, there were probably additional births, so it is difficult to know the actual number Moses was leading.
Thanks to advice from Moses’ father – in – law, Jethro, Moses organized the people into leadership groups of varying levels so that problems could be addressed swiftly and simply. Moses received the laws and wrote them down, thanks to an Egyptian education. Moses was tasked with taking a horde of people with a slave mentality and welding them into a nation. But when Moses rebelled, he had to be punished; otherwise, God’s holiness and righteousness would be meaningless. If God failed to punish Moses, He would be playing favorites and acting contrary to His own nature.
What can we learn from the tragedy of Moses? When Balaam tried to curse the Israelites, God refused to allow him. When Balak, King of Moab, tried to force the issue, God gave him this message through Balaam: “God is not a man, that He should lie, or a son of man, that He should change His mind. Does He speak and not act? Does He promise and not fulfill?” (Numbers 23:19) God does not play games or mince words.
God holds leaders to a high standard; when they fail to meet that standard, there are consequences. God loved Moses, and Moses knew that and accepted his punishment, although he did wistfully beg God to let him enter the Promised Land. But when God refused, Moses continued to act faithfully and did not beg again. Sometimes as leaders, we make mistakes that have unfortunate consequences. But God will help us to bear the results of our mistakes and will also strengthen us so that we can move forward. Here Moses sets us a sterling example; he refuses to complain but accepts God’s will and continues to fulfill his ministry to the very end. May all of us who are leaders be so faithful!
PRAYER: Father God, this morning we lift up all who are in leadership. Lord, You know the stresses and the temptations. Help leaders throughout the world at every level to seek Your Face and Your Guidance. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.
Burunche's Blog 
January 27, 2022 at 4:20 pm
Well explained. I think that the ice man OZZI Otzi? thry found a few years back is actually Moses. They say he was 3500 years old, but I think that is where God buried him with his own hand