Reflection

It is easy to see that the Israelites weren’t the easiest people to lead. Moses had his work cut out for him; they mumbled, complained, turned against him and were ungrateful. For forty years Moses faithful led them through the wilderness with the hope of entering the promise land.

However, after all that work, we read in Numbers 20 that there was one thing that Moses did that kept him from entering the promise land. The people were thirsty so God told Moses to speak to the rock and water would come forth. Moses, in anger, referred to the Israelites as “rebels” and struck the rock twice instead of speaking to it.

12 But the Lord said to Moses and Aaron, “Because you did not trust me enough to demonstrate my holiness to the people of Israel, you will not lead them into the land I am giving them!”

Although God’s punishment seems strict, it serves as a good reminder to us how much he cares about being properly represented. Our calling on this earth is to glorify God and to be his ambassadors (2 Corinthians 5:20, 1 Corinthians 6:20). To glorify means to reflect. As a Christ follower, have you been doing your job? Have you been reflecting Christ to those around you? When they see your life, your attitude and your responses, do they see a proper representation of our God?

Perhaps Moses’ response caused the Israelites to believe that God was mad at them, when he wasn’t. It saddens me to see Christians on television responding out of anger to issues such as homosexuality or abortion. The reflection they are giving is misrepresenting God - causing people to believe that God hates them, when it’s exactly the opposite.

God’s rebuke to Moses was “because you didn’t trust me enough…” Moses’ demonstration to the people was done out of a desire to change them himself. God is the only one who can change people. Trust him enough to deal with the attitudes of others, you deal with your own.

Don't Settle,
Mel Miller