Numbers chapter 20 verses 8-12 (NIV)
“Take the staff, and you and your brother Aaron gather the assembly together. Speak to that rock before their eyes and it will pour out its water. You will bring water out of the rock for the community so they and their livestock can drink.”So Moses took the staff from the LORD’s presence, just as he commanded him. He and Aaron gathered the assembly together in front of the rock and Moses said to them, “Listen, you rebels, must we bring you water out of this rock?” Then Moses raised his arm and struck the rock twice with his staff. Water gushed out, and the community and their livestock drank.But the LORD said to Moses and Aaron, “Because you did not trust in me enough to honour me as holy in the sight of the Israelites, you will not bring this community into the land I give them.”
Luke chapter 12 verse 48 (NIV)
But the one who does not know and does things deserving punishment will be beaten with few blows. From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.
Moses had put up with the Israelites grumbling and complaining for almost forty years, and even when they spoke against him, he interceded on their behalf and we have seen in previous passages how humble a man he was. But sadly we read here, so close to finally reaching their promised land, he finally snapped and it cost him dearly. He was angry and forgot that his place was to honour God. He said, “how long must we bring you water from the rock.” Moses was supposed to do only what God said. He was supposed to speak to the rock, but he lost his temper and struck it. It was not Moses who provided the water, it was God.
Moses had an intimate relationship with God. They spoke face to face, we are told as a man speaks to his friend. (Exodus 33 verse 11) But as Jesus said, those who have been given much will be expected to give much in return. It’s a lesson to us that we are dealing with a holy God and must be careful to not let our emotions, particularly anger, affect our relationship with Him. Its not our place to mete out judgement on others, even if judgement is justified. It is God’s responsibility. We must learn to guard our own relationship with Him. He has given us much and deserves all the glory, honour and obedience that He demands.