Each Passover brings a cycle of self-examination. No matter how spiritually mature we are, we all fall short in some ways.
Consider Moses. His wisdom of 120 years and impressive testimony as “the most humble man ever on earth” (Numbers 12:3) is incomparable. Add further his faith, “…he endured as seeing Him who is invisible” (Hebrews 11:27), and Christ’s personal endorsement, “…if you do not believe his writings, how will you believe my words” (John 5:46). Would a man of such stature ponder mistakes at Passover?
Moses did incur God’s painful displeasure. It cautions that no matter how enlightened we may see ourselves, we’re no better than Moses. One pastor explained our transformation from baptism as a “continuing process of surrender over the arrogant spirit in man. And the struggle never ends.” An unjustified, arrogant spirit could still provoke Moses at age 120, while his own human nature could still make him stumble. Such is the example of Numbers 20:1-13. Here’s how the story goes.
The Israelites, 38 years in nomadic wandering, had returned to a waterless area. Three decades later, many of the original adults had died. Chapter 20 begins by telling us of Miriam’s death. Perhaps her passing reopened festering feelings among other elderly yet to die – or, even among young ones contaminated by the attitude of their fathers.
Exodus 17 (with Deuteronomy 2:14-16) is the original water complaint episode, not long after their release from Egypt. God had instructed Moses to strike the rock with the rod (as done for the Red Sea deliverance) and fresh water gushed from dry rock. Now many years later, that miraculous event had become dimmed by nomadic wandering. A rehash of bad attitude resurfaces. Thirsty lips shout abusive language in an uprising against Moses. Their attitudes reflected near rebellion because Moses, in verse 10, addressed them as “rebels.”
Perhaps this display of ingratitude, their personal criticism of Moses, their failure to go to God personally in prayer, may have provoked his shirtsleeve emotions. Their failure to learn from the past along with new threats may have unnerved him. (“Everything is falling to pieces; they’re all going to quit and leave!”) Moses had endured years of unjustified accusation. Perhaps unconsciously stored-up anger and frustration now spilled out into a loss of self-control. Provoked by other’s attitudes, he himself now lost sight of God’s clear instruction – to speak to the rock, not strike it as done previously. Thoughtlessly, he also claimed a power to perform the miracle.
He was wrong on two counts. First, he didn’t carefully follow instruction. Granted it may have been an easy mistake as God did say to take the rod. But there was no directive to strike the rock. That he did so twice might indicate vexation. We are not told whether it was two quick blows – or one and nothing happened, so another with some misgiving whether anything was going to happen at all. Whichever the case, it was an error to hit it. Secondly, by saying, “Must we bring you water?” may have included God, but it was a blunder, as Moses humanly had no more power than you or I to perform such a miracle. He failed to clearly establish God’s power before the Israelites. Since these examples are recorded for us (1 Corinthians 10:11-12), what can we learn for our Passover reflections?
Stockpiled hurts from years of Christian experience can still dog our steps.
We daily struggle with our “arrogant human spirit” and can be provoked into rash acts. We, too, have experienced many rich miracles, yet how easy it is to forget them when pressures threaten our survival. The stress of needs can overwhelm usual gratitude. Psalm 106:32-33 records that insolent attitudes provoked Moses into an impulsive carelessness before God. And agreed, it is difficult to remain nonchalant or calm when an ill-tempered person pricks a touchy spot.
Blessings are not Always Proof of God’s Approval
Moses was wrong in how he represented God, yet in mercy God still provided the need of water for people and animals. God upheld Moses publicly, but privately judged him for his lack of discipline. The penalty hurt. Of all people surely Moses most deserved to enter the Promised Land. This was now denied with just a short way to go. He later pleaded to reverse the decision, but was told, “Enough of that. Speak no more to Me of this matter” (Deuteronomy 3:26). We expect he had occasional self-examination on this mistake and it would be a sobering reflection at Passover. How thankful that God kindly overlooks our human weaknesses. However, we must still confront our personal problems.
The Rock as a Type of Christ
Moses temporarily lost sight of who was the real Rock. Symbolism makes the incident even more meaningful. In Exodus 17 he was instructed to strike the Rock (a type of Christ – 1 Corinthians 10:4), and God gave the needed water. Christ needs only be crushed (crucified) once, and by belief and faith we gain forgiveness for the living water of His spirit. In Numbers 20, Moses was to only “speak” to the Rock. Symbolically, they only needed to ask God and pray for His help. But poisoned attitudes and twisted emotions got in the way. Impatience, with a touch of vain self-importance, are always things to guard against. Was God a little harsh on a 120- year-old faithful man?
We must remember that God had, from the beginning, been protective of Moses’ life. He had encouraged and persisted with him despite his denying the ability to serve God’s calling; he had been defended from the unjust criticism of Aaron and Miriam and from Korah’s insurrection. God had wrought awesome miracles through him and it was only right that Moses, as leader, should honor the real power behind the miracles. His failure to do so set a dangerous precedent for the people and himself. An important lesson needed to be learnt by everyone.
God had successfully taken them out of Egypt, but it was more difficult to take the attitudes of Egypt out of the people. In this we are similar and each Passover takes us further along the path of transformation. For transform we must!
