Today I read Deuteronomy 32. I’ve never really understood what Moses did that was so wrong that he was kept from the promised land. When I read it today, I paused and pondered the meaning. I went back and read Numbers 20 where the event was recorded. In numbers 20:1-13 it is recorded that the people of Isreal assembled against Moses and Aaron and were again grumbling and asking why they had been brought out of the paradise of slavery in Egypt to the desert. This time it was because they had no water. Moses and Aaron left the mob and went to the tent of meeting to petition God, and He appeared and told Moses to take his staff and return to the people and speak to the rock and he would provide water. What Moses did was recorded in verse 10-11. He gathered the assembly and said, “Hear now you rebels: shall we bring water for you out of this rock?” And Moses lifted up his hand and struck the rock with his staff twice…”. by saying shall we, he took credit for the water that God provided. Then by lifting his staff and striking the rock he joined the congregation in their rebellion. If he had obeyed God and spoke to the rock in His name, God’s holiness would have been shown to the congregation. Instead, Moses showed his frustration with them, and gave the appearance that by his action of striking the rock water was provided.
I have taken pride in my working 100+ hour weeks to provide for my family. I let my work ethic be the thing that defined me, and when that was taken away, I had nothing left. For a long time, I sat and stewed in self-pity. Slowly though as I realized that the bills were still paid on time, and my kids still had clothes and food, I started to realize that I was never the provider in the first place. It was always God who provided. Sure, when something big happened like the car blew up and someone sold me one for what had been gifted me by someone else, I looked to God and gave him praise. But the rest of the time it was me, all me! I was guilty of the same offense that Moses was. I failed to lead my family to give praise to God for His faithfulness in providing for all our needs. Moses hit the rock, and I hit the pavement.