March 18, 2010
Miriam dies.
The Israelites start to grumble again; this time saying they would have been better off to have died like the 14,000 plus people during Korah's uprising. It is interesting to note that they call themselves "the LORD's people (Exodus 20:4), yet they don't accept who they are or whose they are.
The LORD freed them from their bondage in Egypt, He prepared a land for them, He shows it to them, they become fearful and don't have the faith to believe, they wander around for 40 years, and then they try to shift the blame to someone else. They said they were the LORD's people, yet they didn't live like the LORD's people.
Moses and Aaron sin. Moses went to God to see what to do with the people. God said to take the rod and speak to the rock and water would flow. Moses takes the rod, assembles the people, and then says, "Now listen to me." What do I have to do? (my paraphrase) "Do you want us to bring water out of this rock?" Then he strikes the rock (God) twice and the water (Holy Spirit) flowed.
A rock is often the symbol of Christ. The first time they needed water God said to strike the rock once (representative of Christ death on the cross). This time God said to speak only (because of Christ's death we need only to ask for the Holy Spirit). In Moses' anger and frustration, he decided to do things his way instead of God's way. Moses never saw the promised land because of his choice to do things his own way.
Important lesson! The question: "What is it you want me to do, LORD? The answer: I will do as you say.
Next Entry: Numbers 19:1 – 21:35 (Continued)
Miriam dies.
The Israelites start to grumble again; this time saying they would have been better off to have died like the 14,000 plus people during Korah's uprising. It is interesting to note that they call themselves "the LORD's people (Exodus 20:4), yet they don't accept who they are or whose they are.
The LORD freed them from their bondage in Egypt, He prepared a land for them, He shows it to them, they become fearful and don't have the faith to believe, they wander around for 40 years, and then they try to shift the blame to someone else. They said they were the LORD's people, yet they didn't live like the LORD's people.
Moses and Aaron sin. Moses went to God to see what to do with the people. God said to take the rod and speak to the rock and water would flow. Moses takes the rod, assembles the people, and then says, "Now listen to me." What do I have to do? (my paraphrase) "Do you want us to bring water out of this rock?" Then he strikes the rock (God) twice and the water (Holy Spirit) flowed.
A rock is often the symbol of Christ. The first time they needed water God said to strike the rock once (representative of Christ death on the cross). This time God said to speak only (because of Christ's death we need only to ask for the Holy Spirit). In Moses' anger and frustration, he decided to do things his way instead of God's way. Moses never saw the promised land because of his choice to do things his own way.
Important lesson! The question: "What is it you want me to do, LORD? The answer: I will do as you say.
Next Entry: Numbers 19:1 – 21:35 (Continued)
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