“Then the Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron, ‘Because you did not believe Me, to hallow Me in the eyes of the children of Israel, therefore you shall not bring this assembly into the land which I have given them’" (Numbers 20:12).
As the Israelites continue their 40 years journey in the wilderness, they began to complain again about not having enough water (Numbers 20:1-5). God instructs Moses to speak to the rock and the rock will bring forth water for the people and their animals (Numbers 20:6-8). However, Moses is angry with this people. He is getting sick and tired of their rebellion. In his anger and rage he does not speak to the rock; instead, he strikes the rock and says, “Hear now, you rebels! Must we bring water for you out of this rock?” (Numbers 20:10)
Water flows from the rock and the people’s thirst is satisfied (Numbers 20:11). However, Moses has failed to glorify God and “hallow God in the eyes of the children of Israel” (Number 20:12). As a result Moses will not be allowed to bring the Israelites into the Promised Land.
As I read this I can appreciate how frustrated Moses must have been with this people who were always complaining about something. I can also relate to how tempting it is to take my eyes of God when dealing with such people and look to myself to solve the problems and say, “Must I solve this for you!” I can also appreciate the challenge that leaders in the church have to continue to strive to maintain a reverence for God and keep Him hallowed in the eyes of the people of God when many times Christians in the church complain about things which they ought not.
This sin of Moses kept him from leading God’s people into the Promised Land. However, God did forgive Moses and let Moses continue to lead God’s people through the wilderness. In fact, in His mercy and grace, God would let Moses go up to the top of Mount Nebo and view the Promised Land before God took Moses to his heavenly reward (Deuteronomy 34:1-7).
As a Christian, I need to keep my eyes on God. I must be careful about trusting in myself when dealing with difficult situations or with difficult people. It is during such times that I can often fail to give God the glory which He deserves and end up trying to glorify myself to my own shame. Today, may God bless you as you strive to glorify Him and keep Him hallowed in the eyes of those around you!
“I will praise You, O Lord my God, with all my heart, And I will glorify Your name forevermore” (Psalm 86:12).