The Water from the Rock: Moses’ Disobedience and the Principle of Sanctification
The story of Moses striking the rock at Meribah (Numbers 20) is often understood as a simple act of impatience, yet it contains a profound lesson concerning the principles of God’s Law and the unwavering importance of sanctifying (honoring) the Lord before the people. The judgment for this single lapse had immense prophetic consequences.
The Problem of Murmuring
The scene begins with Israel once again murmuring against Moses and Aaron for lack of water. God graciously provided a solution, reiterating a principle of provision He had established earlier:
“Take the rod, and gather thou the assembly together, thou, and Aaron thy brother, and speak ye unto the rock before their eyes; and it shall give forth his water, and thou shalt bring forth to them water out of the rock: so thou shalt give the congregation and their beasts drink.” (Numbers 20:8, KJV)
The command was specific: Speak to the rock. This act would have displayed the power of the Word alone, representing the ultimate, non-violent provision of the Messiah, who is the spiritual “Rock.”
The Fatal Transgression
Frustrated by the people’s constant rebellion, Moses failed to sanctify the Lord by following His exact instructions. Instead of speaking the creative word, he chose a display of his own frustration and power:
“And Moses lifted up his hand, and with his rod he smote the rock twice: and the water came out abundantly, and the congregation drank, and their beasts also.” (Numbers 20:11, KJV)
The water still flowed; the people were saved. But the means did not justify the end. Moses broke the core Law of the moment by replacing God’s clear instruction with his own passion, demonstrating self-authority rather than absolute obedience.
The Judgment and the Principle of Holiness
For this single act of disobedience, God delivered one of the most severe judgments recorded: denying both Moses and Aaron entry into the Promised Land. The reason was deeply rooted in the necessity of maintaining God’s holiness before His people:
“Because ye believed me not, to sanctify me in the eyes of the children of Israel, therefore ye shall not bring this congregation into the land which I have given them.” (Numbers 20:12, KJV)
By striking the rock twice, Moses visually violated two profound prophetic truths:
- The Authority of the Word: He demonstrated that physical force, not the simple Word of God, was necessary.
- The Once-for-All Sacrifice: The first time the rock was struck (Exodus 17:6), it prophesied the smiting of Christ (the Rock, 1 Corinthians 10:4). Striking it again misrepresented the finality of Christ’s once-for-all sacrifice (Hebrews 9:26).
Application to The Lord’s Return
The lesson of Meribah is a powerful warning for those who proclaim The Lord’s Return:
- Purity of Message: God requires that His messengers present His truth exactly as commanded, without alteration or admixture of human anger, passion, or ambition, lest they fail to sanctify Him before the world.
- The Unchanging Standard: The principle of perfect obedience to the Law of God is absolute, even for the greatest leaders. Failure to trust in the sufficiency of God’s Word alone brings separation from the final, promised reward.
The failure at the rock serves as an enduring reminder that those who preach the return must themselves uphold the highest standard of faithfulness, preserving the purity of God’s command and message until the end.