In the book of Numbers, we find a striking (no pun intended) moment in Moses’ leadership journey—one that cost him dearly.
The Story: A Command and a Consequence
In Numbers 20:8, God gave Moses and Aaron a clear instruction:
“You and Aaron must take the staff and assemble the entire community. As the people watch, speak to the rock over there, and it will pour out its water. You will provide enough water from the rock to satisfy the whole community and their livestock.”
However, when the moment came, Moses did something different:
“Then Moses raised his hand and struck the rock twice with the staff, and water gushed out. So the entire community and their livestock drank their fill.” (Numbers 20:11)
Water still flowed, and the people were satisfied, but God’s response was serious:
“But the Lord said to Moses and Aaron, ‘Because you did not trust Me enough to demonstrate My holiness to the people of Israel, you will not lead them into the land I am giving them!’” (Numbers 20:12)
After leading Israel faithfully for decades, Moses and Aaron were denied entry into the Promised Land. Why was God so displeased with Moses?
1. Disobedience to God’s Direct Command
God specifically told Moses to speak to the rock, but instead, he struck it—not once, but twice. This was not a minor detail; it was a direct disobedience to a clear command. Earlier in Exodus 17:6, God did command Moses to strike a rock for water, but this time, God wanted Moses to demonstrate a different kind of obedience—one of faith through words rather than action.
2. A Lack of Trust in God
God’s words make it clear: “Because you did not trust Me enough to demonstrate My holiness…” (Numbers 20:12). Moses took matters into his own hands, relying on what had worked in the past instead of trusting God’s new instructions. Leaders are held to a high standard of trust in God, and in this moment, Moses failed to fully rely on Him.
3. Taking Credit Instead of Giving God the Glory
Before striking the rock, Moses said:
“Listen, you rebels! Must we bring you water out of this rock?” (Numbers 20:10)
His words implied that he and Aaron were the ones providing water, rather than pointing the people back to God as the true provider. This misrepresentation took the glory away from God, who alone was performing the miracle.
4. Misrepresenting God’s Character
Moses acted in anger, calling the Israelites “rebels” and striking the rock forcefully. However, God wasn’t displaying anger at that moment—He was showing mercy by providing water for the people. As a leader, Moses’ frustration distorted the image of God’s grace, making it seem like God was reacting in wrath rather than compassion.
A Deeper Meaning: A Foreshadowing of Christ
This event also has a profound theological meaning. 1 Corinthians 10:4 tells us that the rock in the wilderness symbolized Christ:
“…for they drank from the spiritual rock that accompanied them, and that rock was Christ.”
In Exodus 17, Moses striking the rock foreshadowed Christ being struck once for our sins through His crucifixion. But in Numbers 20, the rock was only meant to be spoken to, symbolizing that after Christ’s sacrifice, we no longer need to “strike” Him again—He is always ready to respond when we call on Him.
By striking the rock twice, Moses disrupted this divine picture. His actions unintentionally obscured an important foreshadowing of Christ’s sufficiency and the power of faith-filled words.
Key Lessons for Us Today
- Obedience to God Matters—Even in Small Details
- Sometimes, we think slight deviations from God’s instructions don’t matter, but this story reminds us that partial obedience is still disobedience.
- Trust God in Every Season
- Just because something worked before doesn’t mean it’s how God wants to work now. We must always be sensitive to His leading.
- Give God the Glory
- Any victory, miracle, or success should always point people back to God, never to ourselves.
- Represent God’s Character Accurately
- If we are leaders or representatives of Christ, we must be careful not to misrepresent Him through frustration, pride, or anger.
Final Thoughts: Finishing Well Matters
Moses was a faithful servant of God, but this one moment cost him dearly. As we seek to follow God, let us learn from his mistake: obedience, trust, and humility before God are vital.
May we be people who listen carefully to God’s voice, trust Him fully, and give Him all the glory in our lives!
