I was recently reading the account of Israel’s time in the wilderness and they were in need of water for a second time.
The first time Moses was told to strike the rock and water would come forth.
This time God told him to speak to the rock.
However, Moses chose to strike the rock like he did the first time.
Each time I read this before, I chalked it up as an act of anger and disobedience.
But that was not Moses’ issue.
According to God, it was his unbelief that led him to not treat God as holy before the Israelites and this cost him entry into the Promised Land.
How was this unbelief and not just disobedience?
His choice to strike the rock instead of speak to it as instructed demonstrated self-reliance instead of God reliance.
Sure, he was angry at the people and he expresses his anger at them, but he declares that he and Aaron were going to bring forth the water…not God.
Now, how had he done that before?
By striking the rock.
Self-reliance doesn’t like change.
It wants to do things the same way over and over especially if in the past it’s produced good results.
It worked the first time; I’ll do it the same way again.
Moses was tired and frustrated with the Israel’s rebellion and complaining.
In his flesh, he took his focus off of his dependence on God and handled the situation himself.
So, he struck the rock…because that’s what worked for him the first time.
Beloved, Moses had no knowledge of the symbolism of the Rock being a type of Messiah.
But he was messing with God’s metaphor that’s for sure.
Here’s the point: self-reliance is always rooted in unbelief and while it may at times get results….water did flow from the rock.
What’s not done in faith depending on Jesus is just wood, hay and stubble.
In the end, it will be consumed in the Refiner’s fire.
There will be no reward and it will leave us wandering around in the wilderness of our flesh.
So, Beloved, let’s purpose to put off the flesh and set our minds on depending on the Life of Jesus in us to empower us to carry out His directives in our lives.
He loves us; He is worthy of our faith.
What He tells us to do, we need to do in His strength for His glory.
Blessings!
Robyn Henning