It would seem that a good deal of the conflict Israel experienced with God centered on their approach to His throne. On this day, It is about the water. It was probably quite taxing to gather bread from Heaven. As the people grew thirsty, they started their copywritten chant, “You gonna let us die out here?” Like any Father, God truly wanted to bless His chosen people. He led them, fed them, protected them, and still when things were slightly difficult, rather than approaching God with a grateful heart and a humble Spirit; they approached Moses like entitled bullies.
Moses would then reverently seek God, God would in turn do something amazing, (Send Water gushing from a rock…), and the people would not become anymore free or reverent?!!? How God put up with that day in and day out is inconceivable. Further, God went on to show these “Mutton Heads” Moses was His man and they needed to trust Moses’ leadership! Had they done that from the beginning, the 5 books called Pentateuch would have been a celebration of building a God-centered nation committed to His glorification and the salvation of the rest of the world.
Instead, we see in this, and in the rest of Moses’ books, God developing Israel despite their grumbling and rebellion. It is the most detailed picture of all aspects of grace. The Father loves them through idolatry, fear, rebellion, and total disregard of God’s favor and protection on this nation. Moses, while far from perfect; clearly was perfect for this role. 40 years a shepherd, and personally aligned with God made this man uniquely qualified to endure all the grumbling, whining, and disruption these former slaves would serve up.
I pray that I am not ungrateful, doubting, or rebellious. I want to be used by God; not frustrating to Him. I want to pray ceaselessly for the Lord’s favor and His provision–not what I think should happen. Many times, however, I end up being as stiff-necked and mutton-headed as was Israel. I forget the miracle from yesterday and fail to acknowledge God’s provision and protection in my life that came this very day.
I want to live gratefully and peacefully right where he has me without the thought of how I can assist Him in plotting my journey. For many, that seems simple enough–but watching Moses the true superhero dealing with that issue on the daily, is the best reminder of my need to repent and seek the Lord each day.
God Bless You
The whole Israelite community set out from the Desert of Sin, traveling from place to place as the Lord commanded. They camped at Rephidim, but there was no water for the people to drink. 2 So they quarreled with Moses and said, “Give us water to drink.”
Moses replied, “Why do you quarrel with me? Why do you put the Lord to the test?”
3 But the people were thirsty for water there, and they grumbled against Moses. They said, “Why did you bring us up out of Egypt to make us and our children and livestock die of thirst?”
4 Then Moses cried out to the Lord, “What am I to do with these people? They are almost ready to stone me.”
5 The Lord answered Moses, “Go out in front of the people. Take with you some of the elders of Israel and take in your hand the staff with which you struck the Nile, and go. 6 I will stand there before you by the rock at Horeb. Strike the rock, and water will come out of it for the people to drink.” So Moses did this in the sight of the elders of Israel. 7 And he called the place Massah[a] and Meribah[b] because the Israelites quarreled and because they tested the Lord saying, “Is the Lord among us or not?”
Walking With God 