Números 20

Números 20

Meyer - Our Daily Homily - Numbers 20:8, 11 Speak ye to the rock; ... and Moses smote the rock twice. What a miracle of grace is here! Nothing could have been more explicit than the Divine command that Moses should, on this occasion, simply speak to the rock. We cannot fathom the deep reason; perhaps it was because the Spiritual Rock of our salvation could not be smitten by the soldier’s spear twice. “Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many.” Moreover, we are taught to wait on God each time we perform duties which appear similar, for the ways in which they should be performed may vary widely. It is clear, whatever the reason, that Moses was to speak, not smite. However, he grievously disobeyed; largely, probably, because he could not believe that mere speech would suffice for the miracle. He thought that he must do something to aid God, not realizing how slight a part man’s is in the Divine esteem. No flesh may glory in his presence. God must be all in all. We must believe that a word is enough; and that God will do the rest. But, in spite of his irritation, disobedience, and unbelief, the water gushed out. The sin of the servant did not annul the love and faithfulness of God. “If we believe not, He remaineth faithful.” It is a sweet lesson. We are worthless and unprofitable servants; we fail to believe and obey. But God’s grace flows over the bank, and inundates the wilderness with crystal streams. The Psalmist says the waters did not trickle, they gushed out. Oh, miracle of Divine faithfulness! But Moses himself had to pay the penalty in later years. Disobedience in God’s servants cannot be condoned. In proportion to the saintliness of their character is the rigor of their punishment. John Bennett - SPEAK YE UNTO THE ROCK This solemn scene of failure had far-reaching consequences for both Moses and Aaron. Both would be denied access to the promised land as a result of their actions, v. 12. God is no respecter of persons in the matter of sin, and, in fact, the greater the privilege, the greater the responsibility. Failure of leaders is more serious than failure of those not in positions of authority. Thirty-eight years earlier the people had faced a similar situation in Exodus 17. Then, as now, they were in the wilderness of Sin. Then, as now, they thirsted and chode with Moses. Then, as now, the answer to their need lay in the Rock. But there is a world of difference between the two incidents. In Exodus 17, Moses was told to smite the rock; here he is told to speak to the rock. In Exodus chapter 17 the normal word for rock is used; here it is a different word meaning ‘elevated rock’. The typical teaching is clear; ‘that Rock was Christ’, Paul reminds the Corinthians, 1 Cor. 10:4. Once smitten and elevated, the rock is a wonderful picture of His sufferings and ascension, securing the outpouring of blessing for His people. He will never be smitten again, and therein lies the seriousness of Moses’ action. Moses was sorely tried and as a result ‘he spake unadvisedly with his lips’, Ps. 106:33. He called the people rebels; He failed to sanctify the Lord by simple obedience; He smote the rock in anger twice. It is solemn to think of this supremely meek man giving vent to an angry outburst. We should not, however, judge Moses harshly. How true it is that we too often fail on our strongest points. The once-for-all sufferings of our blessed Lord are over. We sometimes sing, ‘Never more shall God, Jehovah, smite the Shepherd with the sword’, R. C. CHAPMAN. From His elevated position at God’s right hand our Lord Jesus has an abundant supply to meet our needs. Thirsty soul, ‘Speak to the Rock’. Just as the waters gushed out for the nation of Israel, so His fullness is there today for the asking. Are You Listening? Speak to the rock before their eyes, and it will yield its water. —Numbers 20:8 Today's Scripture: Numbers 20:1-13 He was frustrated. He was angry. He was tired of being blamed for everything that went wrong. Year after year, he had gotten them through one disaster after another. He was continually interceding on their behalf to keep them out of trouble. But all he got for his efforts was more grief. Finally, in exasperation, he said, “Hear now, you rebels! Must we bring water for you out of this rock?” (Num. 20:10). That suggestion might sound preposterous, but it wasn’t. Forty years earlier, the previous generation had the same complaint: no water. God told Moses to strike a rock with his staff (Ex. 17:6). When he obeyed, water gushed out—plenty of water. When the grumbling started again so many years later, Moses did the thing that worked before. But this time it was the wrong thing to do. What Moses told the Israelites to do—to listen—he himself had not done. God had told him to speak to the rock this time, not strike it. Reflect & Pray Lord, help us to obey Your Word, To heed Your still small voice; And may we not be swayed by men, But make Your will our choice. —D. De Haan Listen—then obey. Numbers 20:9 So Moses took the rod from before the LORD, just as He had commanded him; Numbers 20 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries SO FAR SO GOOD So Moses took the rod from before the LORD, just as He had commanded him - As the old saying goes "So far, so good." Moses is obeying the instructions from Yahweh. From before the LORD would support the premise that this is Aaron's rod for it was kept before the LORD. Numbers 20:10 and Moses and Aaron gathered the assembly before the rock. And he said to them, "Listen now, you rebels; shall we bring forth water for you out of this rock?" De 9:24 Ps 106:32,33 Mt 5:22 Lu 9:54,55 Ac 23:3-5 Eph 4:26 Jas 3:2 we fetch: Nu 11:22,23 Ge 40:8 41:16 Da 2:28-30 Ac 3:12-16 14:9-15 Ro 15:17-19 1Co 3:7 MOSES THE REBEL ADDRESSES THE REBELS and Moses and Aaron gathered the assembly before the rock. And he said to them, "Listen now, you rebels - There is an old saying "It takes one to know one!" And so here we have is a bitter irony for Moses calls the people rebels when in fact it is he and Aaron will be held responsible as rebels and for which they will be punished (see Nu 20:24+)! The problem was Moses spoke to the people instead of the rock! Moses was not to touch the rock or speak to the people. He did both! God did not command Moses to speak to the nation but speak to the rock!