Waves of Life

Numbers 20

Does it ever seem to you but when bad things happen like someone you know got really sick or a loved one passed away that they come in waves? Like nothing wrong can happen for a little while and then everything comes at once or at least it feels like that. In this particular chapter we deal with death and disappointment but there is light in spite of it all.  

Death of Moses’ brother and sister

The chapter starts Miriam, Moses sister passing away. Not much is said about her after the little incident a few chapter back about her and the leprosy. The chapter ends with Aaron about to die and his son takes on the role as high priest. He dies and the whole congregation mourns for 30 days.

The Hard Lesson

Right after the death of Miriam, the people come against Moses and Aaron again about lack of water and Moses starts out by doing what is right. He goes before the Lord and asked what he shall do and God told him to talk to the rock and it will bring forth water. Instead we see Moses striking the rock twice and saying that the people are rebels. The result of this lack of faith was he will not be allowed to enter into the promise land. At first that can seem kind of harsh, you may ask, “What was the big deal?” He just struck a little rock but there is more to it. Moses was turning the power of God onto himself as he made it seem like he did it. It also shows his lack of faith at that moment as he struck it instead of speaking to it and struck again. Moses knew what he did was wrong and the result was not entering into the promise land. This was probably one of the hardest points in his life as he not only lost his family but lost his privilege of entering into the place he was leading everyone to. May we be reminded that temptation will come, problems will come, people will complain about you, but how do we respond as God’s people and light to this world?