Last week we dealt with a story on failure. It was from the near end of the Israelites wondering in the wilderness. Yes, they were complaining but the failure wasn’t by the community, it was their leaders, Moses and Aaron. God told Moses to address the Israelites complaining by speaking to a rock to bring forth water. Moses, however, expressed anger about their complaining, and struck the rock two times to bring forth water. God quickly punished Moses and Aaron by forbidding them from entering the Promised Land.
At my table, we grappled with this story in light of an earlier event in the exodus where God told Moses to strike a rock to bring forth water. We wondered why God dealt with these two situations differently, and why Moses’ response was considered a failure resulting in punishment from God. We immediately recognized that in the first occurrence, God commanded Moses to strike the rock so his actions were in obedience. However, in the story we read, God was clear that Moses was only to speak to the rock. But couldn’t Moses have just thought that striking or speaking didn’t matter as long as he brought forth water? I mean, the Israelites did get the water that they needed. It was here we acknowledged that Moses truly didn’t listen and follow God but rather relied on his one ability and credit to bring the water. God still provided, but Moses clearly did not act in a way that showed God’s glory. It was mentioned that the results may have been as God intended, but clearly Moses heart was not focused on God and he clearly did give glory to God in the manner that he acted.
Are there areas in your life where you are in fact having a positive impact for God, but you are relying too much on your own method or in your heart, you are growing proud of your successes and not allowing God’s glory to be clearly seen? As leaders, it is often easy to take things into our own hands (after all, God has blessed us with talents) and not listen to God’s direction. Moses did such a thing that day at the rock. God was swift with his punishment; however, God’s love for Moses remained and he allowed him to continue to lead the Israelites until they were ready to enter the Promised Land. Sometime after this event, Moses followed God’s command and successful defeated the Amorites. A reminder that God may rebuke us in our failures, but His faithfulness and love will not leave us if we chose to draw to Him and follow Him. This week, join me in considering the motives in your actions for God and spend time listening for His direction to assure that you aren’t relying on old commands but truly know His current command for your situation.