In a Mirror Dimly

Scripture

Numbers 27:12-17

Then the LORD said to Moses, “Go up this mountain in the Abarim range and see the land I have given the Israelites. After you have seen it, you too will be gathered to your people, as your brother Aaron was, for when the community rebelled at the waters in the Desert of Zin, both of you disobeyed my command to honor me as holy before their eyes.”  (These were the waters of Meribah Kadesh, in the Desert of Zin). Moses said to the LORD, “May the LORD, the God of the spirits of all mankind, appoint a man over this community to go out and come in before them, one who will lead them out and bring them in, so the LORD’s people will not be like sheep without a shepherd.”

Observation

We should care about God’s people like He cares for them

Application

Sometime back God showed me something I hadn’t really seen before. I was studying the passage where Moses makes his huge mistake and God tells him he will not be allowed to enter the promised land. You remember the story… the people are grumbling because they don’t have water (see previous entry on what God thinks about that)… and Moses gets instruction from God to speak to the rock to provide water for His people. Moses instead strikes the rock with his staff, and water gushes forth. But God tells Moses that because he didn’t treat Him as holy in front of His people, he will not get to bring his people into the land.

At first glance, this seems a little harsh of God. Moses wasn’t perfectly obedient, to be sure. But it seems harsh of God to deny him entrance to the promised land just because he struck the rock instead of speaking to it as God commanded. Keep in mind also that in times previous God had asked him to strike the rock to bring water. What God showed me about this incident was that God was not bringing those consequences merely for disobedience to revealed commands (although He could and be perfectly just), but because Moses had an attitude of contempt for God’s people. Moses was sick to death of the Israelites complaining, and he struck the rock out of anger and contempt and disdain. God didn’t like that attitude… and he judged it. We don’t get to be the judge over God’s people. That is His role, and He doesn’t like it when we try to take His place.

So… this passage this morning really was eye opening for me. God brings up Moses’ biggest failure (if you don’t count murdering the Egyptian), and Moses responds by asking God to appoint a man to shepherd the people. God’s chastisement of Moses had done its job. Moses’ heart now was functioning correctly.  He cares about what God cares about.

Prayer

Father, help me to see when I have an attitude of disdain for your people. Who am I to have that kind of attitude? Forgive me when I have been quick to be exasperated. Help me see that the God they need is the same God I need daily.