Highlights In Today's Reading:
Your heart will break as disobedience by two men of God results in a terrible judgment. Note the difference between the Law and grace which comes through Christ. You will find two deaths recorded here, as well as a nation sealing its own fate by refusing to help God's people. How gloriously Christ is typified twice in today's reading.
Moses took the rod as the Lord commanded him, but from that point on there was a mixture of Moses feelings and the Word of God. The Lord spake unto Moses, saying . . . speak ye unto the rock . . . and it shall give forth his water. . . . And Moses . . . said unto them, Hear now, ye rebels; must we fetch you water out of this rock? And Moses lifted up his hand, and with his rod he smote the rock twice: and the water came out abundantly. . . . And the Lord spake unto Moses and Aaron, Because ye believed Me not, to sanctify Me (regard My Word as sufficient) in the eyes of the children of Israel . . . ye shall not bring this congregation into the land which I have given them (20:7-12). Anger destroys more than at first appears.
Moses was satisfied when the water came forth and the people's needs were met. Undoubtedly the people were delighted and impressed by Moses' ability to provide for their thirst, but God was not satisfied. Today much attention is placed on man's ability to meet our needs, but few seem concerned whether Christ is satisfied.
Moses was not "obedient" when he angrily shouted: Must we fetch you water; nor was he obedient when he smote the rock twice. The abundance of water satisfied the people as well as Moses; but God was displeased. The Apostle Paul knew the difference between his personal desires and the leading of God when he said: I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway (I Corinthians 9:27).
Although he knew that only God's power could bring forth water, Moses smote the rock rather than speak to it as he had been commanded. Some know that all Scripture is . . . profitable . . . for instruction in righteousness (II Timothy 3:16), yet they still rely on their own "good judgment" and keep "too busy" to read all Scriptures (that God said) is profitable . . . perfect (well-prepared to be) throughtly furnished unto all good works (II Timothy 3:16-17). The fearful warning from God is that the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables (4:3-4).
Thought for Today:
Just because we are doing a good thing does not make it right. It still must be done with no ulterior motive.
Christ Revealed:
Through the rock that Moses struck (Numbers 20:8-11; also Ex. 17:6). Christ, our Rock, who was struck once through His death on the cross, does not need to be struck again. That spiritual Rock that followed (accompanied) them . . . was Christ (I Cor. 10:4).
Word Studies:
19:2 spot =defect; 19:6 hyssop =husky plant designated for purging and cleansing; 19:10 stranger =foreigner; 20:3 chode =expressed anger; 20:10 fetch =bring; 20:11 smote =struck; 20:12 sanctify Me =hold Me in reverential honor; 20:13 strove =contended; 20:14 travail =hardship, affliction; 20:15 vexed =mistreated; 20:24 gathered to his people =buried; 20:29 house =family.
Prayer Needs:
Pray for The Arabic, English, and Spanish International Shortwave Radio Broadcasts sponsored by Emma B. Thomas • Staff: Mike Moore • Government Officials: Rep. Charles Boustany (LA), Rep. Phil Hare (IL), Rep. John Lewis (GA), Rep. John Shimkus (IL), and Sen. Olympia Snowe (ME) • Country: Cuba (11.2 million) on the northern rim of the Caribbean • Major language: Spanish • Strict government surveillance of all true Christian activities • 40% Catholic; 10% Protestant; 2-10% Santeria; 1% Other; 40% None • Prayer Suggestion: Fast, santify yourself, and unite in prayer with others as you cry unto the Lord (Joel 1:14).
Optional Reading: Luke 8
Memory Verse for the Week: Psalms 119:2