The Disobedience of Moses

Do you remember Moses disobeying the Lord out of anger and striking the rock when he was told to speak to it - ? This was discussed in class yesterday and there were many insights:

> "Kadesh" translates from Hebrew into "Sacred" in English. This took place in a sacred place.

> The people were blaming Moses for bringing them into the wilderness. They had forgotten about the Lord and all the miracles He had done to save them from slavery, early death, torture and long hours of work in desert sun.

> They forgot the Lord parting the Red Sea, providing shade during the day, heat at night, the food of angels to eat, clothes that did not wear out and more.

> As always, the Lord was merciful about the complaining of His people and told Moses what to do to give them water. Speak to "THE Rock" in this sacred place.

> Moses could not control his anger toward the people enough to obey the Lord who told him to SPEAK to the rock. His anger is evident in verse 20:10 of Numbers when he calls the people "rebels".

> In Ex. 17, a similar situation occurred. That is when Moses was told to STRIKE the rock and he obeyed.

> Here, he is told to SPEAK through faith in the Lord as opposed to DOING something; just as we are to work through faith in Jesus rather than by our own works/actions.

> Nu. 20:12 notes that Moses did not trust enough to honor the Lord as holy to the Israelites, God's chosen people. The LORD, being Jesus pre-incarnate, was not being honored in the eyes of His People; the rebellious people He will lay down His life for.

** Let's look at this on a deeper level: Jesus is our ROCK (the foundation of the church; the corner STONE), the Holy Spirit is frequently referenced with water.

> In Ex. 17 Moses STRUCK the rock ONE time - just as Jesus has been struck down ONCE and water poured forth, as the Holy Spirit was given on the Day of Pentacost, documented in the book of Acts.

> Here in Numbers 20, Moses is told to SPEAK to this rock as we are to converse in prayer with our Lord Jesus who works through the pouring out of the Holy Spirit (water) upon us to work in and through us on the Lord's behalf.

> When Moses disobeyed and STRUCK the rock the situation is as though Jesus were struck down more than once. NOT SO! He was struck down once as our sacrifice and will not be struck down again! He is returning as the defeating warrior King! Not only was this disobedience, but a great lack of respect for all Jesus will do.

** I put to you that Moses was aware of the pre-incarnate Savior and God's eternal plan of salvation. (This revelation for another time.)

 

 

> Moses actually HIT the rock TWICE, out of uncontrolled anger, symbolizing Jesus struck down three times.

> This was insult on two levels: disobedience to the Lord and a lie about our Savior, Jesus, our Rock.

> This was such a rebellious act that it kept Moses from entering the Promised Land after a lifetime of serving the Lord.

** Will any of us be kept from Paradise because we slander the sacrifice of Jesus by our daily actions - our obedience? Do we know what it is to be obedient? How do we find out what it is to be obedient to God's word?

> We should never underestimate the gratitude of God for the unwavering sacrifice of His Son to save us, His family.

 

Passover Week

Easter Week: Palm Sunday celebrates the entry of Jesus into Jerusalem as king. Until then, it had been David's city. Jesus entry did not turn out the way people wanted or expected. It was better.

> So like people; we never think as well or as great as God.

> This was the first day of Passover week. The city was teeming with people from all over. It was great joy to celebrate the Exodus. "Passover" refers to how God had the death angel pass over the homes of the Israelite slaves, when the angel came for all the first born of Egypt. An amazing miracle to the people and a very scarey time.

> The angel knew to pass over any home that had lamb's blood framing the door posts. A fore sign of the blood of our lamb, Jesus, that saves us to eternal life. Whoever was under the blood of the lamb was saved/ whoever is under the blood of the lamb, Jesus, will be saved to eternal life with Him.

> The people were set free from Egypt. "Egypt" in Hebrew translates "stress". The people were set free from their stress of slavery, just as belief in Jesus sets us free from worry and fear. We are free to choose and we are free to live eternally with Him and no one can take that from us. Our relationship with Him is spiritual.

> Moses (Heb: "Moshe") was the instrument the Lord used to set the people free from Egypt ("stress"). His name means "drawn out" (from the water). In Egyptian, the name "Mouses" means "born by water". I think it amazing his name in either language is so similar. God had a plan.

> Take the name Moses and read Isaiah 63:11 - 16. Moses was the instrument by which the Lord parted the Red Sea and let the people through - a type of baptism. Moses name relates to water; the Holy Spirit is related to water more than any other element. When we are baptized, we receive the Holy Spirit (the living water) by which we are helped through our lives as believers. God works in us through the water (Holy Spirit). The Lord worked out a huge problem for the Israelites so they could pass through the water - to safety on the other side and a new life in a promised land. AND he closed the way behind so the threat was gone - by using the water (Holy Spirit). The Lord did this by using the one who was drawn from the water for this purpose. 

 

 

> Isn't God wonderful !? So far above us in thought and compassion. And, His word (The Bible) is so complete and proves itself over and over, front to back, time to time and inside out.

> Back to the ride into Jerusalem: Our Savior, born of a virgin, made His triumphant ride into His city on a virgin donkey; from a virgin womb, riding a virgin donkey to a virgin tomb. So pure.

> The people shouted "Hozannah!", Heb: "Save us, please!" Little did they know how He came to answer that plea. We were saved and are now free.

Praise God!