Números 20

Números 20

Ironside - God will be sanctified in them that come nigh Him. Grace does not set aside government. The Lord is very jealous of the order of His house. Those who are in covenant relationship with Him are responsible to obey His voice. The more light given, the greater is the responsibility resting upon the recipient. God will not be trifled with. What might be in great measure overlooked in the case of one of lesser privileges may be considered a very grave offense on the part of one who has been signally honored of God. The lapse of a greatly used and well-instructed servant of Christ is far more serious than the same offense on the part of one comparatively ignorant of divine truth and who has had lesser opportunities of service and testimony. "A charge to keep I have, A God to glorify, A never-dying soul to save, And fit it for the sky: To serve the present age, My calling to fulfil: Oh, may it all my powers engage To do my Master's will! Arm me with jealous care, As in Thy sight to live; And oh, Thy servant, Lord, prepare A strict account to give!" —Charles Wesley. P G Matthew - Numbers 20 is filled with misery, the misery that ensues when God’s people are stubborn and rebellious. It relates a most shocking and poignant instance of God’s covenant sanctions, which fell upon the one who gave Israel the law and spoke with God face to face—Moses himself. God’s promises, as well as his threatenings, are true, and God is no respecter of persons. The context is, once again, murmuring on the part of the Israelites. Moses wisely went to the Lord and, falling facedown, sought guidance. He was told to take his staff and speak to the rock, and God in mercy would miraculously pour forth water for a complaining nation. How longsuffering is our covenant Lord! We are told elsewhere that this rock is a metaphor for Jesus Christ. Moses had been told in Exodus 17 to strike the rock—a foreshadowing of what would later take place once for all at the cross of Calvary. But Jesus is not to be re-crucified; his people should now speak to the risen, reigning Christ in humble, submissive petition. The rock must not be struck again. Moses, however, lost patience with the people. It may even be that he was frustrated with God himself for moving in mercy rather than judgment. Tragically, Moses became a rebel too. He had been instructed to speak to the rock; instead he lashed out at the people, shouting, “You rebels! Must we fetch water for you?” Then, in a continuing fit of anger, he struck the rock twice. In God’s marvelous grace, water gushed forth and the community drank their fill. Yet we must note with great sobriety the loss incurred by Moses: He was denied his greatest desire—to lead the people into the Promised Land. Disobedience always brings great loss and regret. We must each learn this lesson. It does not matter how many years we have attended church. It does not matter how long we have been faithful Christians. We can lose our heads in an instant and behave wickedly. How we need to walk humbly and receive daily God’s keeping grace! He alone can say, “I Am.” We must continually say, “I am what I am only by the grace of God.” (Daily Delight)