“TELL THE ROCK!”

 Numbers 20:2-13                        (ESV)

The Waters of Meribah

“[2] Now there was no water for the congregation. And they assembled themselves together against Moses and against Aaron. [3] And the people quarreled with Moses and said, “Would that we had perished when our brothers perished before the LORD! [4] Why have you brought the assembly of the LORD into this wilderness, that we should die here, both we and our cattle? [5] And why have you made us come up out of Egypt to bring us to this evil place? It is no place for grain or figs or vines or pomegranates, and there is no water to drink.” [6] Then Moses and Aaron went from the presence of the assembly to the entrance of the tent of meeting and fell on their faces. AND THE GLORY OF THE LORD APPEARED TO THEM, [7] and the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, [8] “Take the staff, and assemble the congregation, you and Aaron your brother, and “TELL THE ROCK” before their eyes to yield its water. So you shall bring water out of the rock for them and give drink to the congregation and their cattle.” [9] And Moses took the staff from before the LORD, as HE commanded him.

Moses Strikes the Rock

[10] Then Moses and Aaron gathered the assembly together before the rock, and he said to them, “Hear now, you rebels: shall we bring water for you out of this rock?” [11] And Moses lifted up his hand and struck the rock with his staff twice, and water came out abundantly, and the congregation drank, and their livestock. [12] And the LORD said to Moses and Aaron, “BECAUSE YOU DID NOT BELIEVE IN ME, TO UPHOLD ME AS HOLY IN THE EYES OF THE PEOPLE OF ISRAEL, THEREFORE YOU SHALL NOT BRING THIS ASSEMBLY INTO THE LAND THAT I HAVE GIVEN THEM.” [13] These are the waters of Meribah, where the people of Israel quarreled with the LORD, and through them HE showed HIMSELF HOLY.”

There are times when we need to LISTEN to THE LORD and do precisely what HE instructs us to do!  Moses and Aaron did NOT do what they were instructed, and their disobedience had a cost!  

All they had to do was “TELL THE ROCK” to produce water, but they didn’t listen to the instructions of ALMIGHTY GOD and they were held accountable for their disobedience.  

We serve a HOLY GOD, and we must remember that when we act on HIS behalf!  Striking a rock might be more demonstrative, but it wasn’t what THE HOLY GOD instructed them to do!  We MUST do precisely what ALMIGHTY GOD instructs us to do, even when we are offered seemingly better options!  “TELL THE ROCK” is the ONLY OPTION when GOD gives that as HIS PLAN!!!