The Torah Parashah Chukat, includes the Instructions for the Red Heifer/Parah Adumah, The death of Miriam and Aaron, War with the Canaanites, The Copper Snake/ Nechash Nechoshet, and the Wars of Sihon and Og.
But what happened at Meribah?
While the children of Israel were in the wilderness, according to tradition there were 3 miracles that regularly occurred:
First, Water from the well of Miriam – A rock that followed the camp of Israel during their wanderings that miraculously provided water fro the people.
Secondly, Clouds of Glory for protection – The Pillar of Cloud by day and Fire by night which protected the people from both predators at night and the heat of the sun by day.
And third, Manna from heaven – Heavenly food supplied every day and enough on day 6 so they need not gather any on the Sabbath.
The story in Numbers Chapter 20 recounts how the people complained because they had no water, but why, up until that time they had an adequate supply? Hebrew literature commenting on this passage says that the people did not mourn or grieve properly when Miriam died on Nisan 10 and was buried; and because of this Adonai caused the well of Miriam to dry up. Water was essential to them staying alive, so the Israelites quickly gathered to complain to Moses and Aaron about this crisis speaking words of death.
Moses and Aaron took the need to the Lord in prayer they went into the Mishkan and waited for instruction. The Lord told Moses to take his staff, which was a sign of authority, and to speak to the rock (of Miriam?) to release its water. Moses was told to speak words that would bring them life and faith to counteract the negative words of death and fear.
“Take the rod; you and your brother Aaron gather the congregation together. Speak to the rock before their eyes, and it will yield its water; thus you shall bring water for them out of the rock, and give drink to the congregation and their animals.” Numbers 20:8
There are possible reasons why Moses and Aaron were forbidden to enter the promised land, and this incident may offer some answers.
Whether it was spontaneous or premeditated, that we don’t know. Moses may have been frustrated and angry with the rebellious complaining Israelites and although he did fulfill the directions, it was not accurately performed; and here we must note that the end did not justify the means.
Did Moses not believe he could get water from a rock by speaking to it, or did he think the Lords decision to not punish the people for their incessant complaining wasn’t the right one?
Some think it was the use of the pronoun ‘We’, which was the fateful mistake and that the Lords judgment was that Moses did not trust Him enough to ‘sanctify’ Him in the presence of all the people by making certain the people knew the provision was from and by the Lords power. Moses appeared to act under his own authority and it inferred that it was by Moses and Aarons own ability they brought forth water providing for the people. It is suggested by commentators that Moses arrogance was impossible to overlook because it was so public.
The obvious fact of course, is that Moses directly disobeyed the command of the Lord even after He had explicitly instructed them ‘to speak to’ the rock, he chose to ‘strike it’. Prophetically Moses had earlier struck the rock in order to provide water for the people in Ex. 17:5-7 and this was intended as a picture of Messiah Who would be stricken for us, Isaiah 53:4 and 1 Cor. 10:4. The second striking of the rock suggested that Messiah would need to be stricken a second time to provide for the needs of the people. John 7:37-39. We know of course this was not the case, the Rock that was once smitten for the people was now to be ‘spoken to’ as the Living Rock, 1 Cor 10:4. Moses gave them the wrong message, suggesting that the first striking had not been sufficient and that something more was required. The cost to both Moses and Aaron was severe, they paid for their disobedience with their lives and neither of them were allowed to enter the land of promise.
The lesson for us is just as serious, those who attempt to add to the work and instructions of the Lord by adding to His words and affecting His works by their own/self righteousness, will likewise be refused entry into the promised land; in our case the kingdom of the Heavens. Those people will hear the fateful words depart from Me I never knew you. Matthew 7:21-23.
Because the waters that came forth were produced through sin and striving, the place was named Meribah, which means contention. It was after this the camp moved to Mount Hor and there Aaron died.
Isn’t it true sometimes, that we rebel against the words of the Lords mouth, when we hear what He wants us to do but we don’t listen to how He tells us to do it? Moses amended the Fathers instructions and sometimes we do too.
The water was not the point, Adonai wanted Moses to obey Him by speaking words of compassion to the Rock, not rebuking the people out of his hardened heart. In his rebellion Moses still provided for the people but instead of setting aside his own beliefs and setting apart the Word of the Lord, he suffered the cost and needless loss of his own future inheritance.
Let Meribah be a caveat to all of us to Shema/Hear and Obey, to carefully and accurately follow the Lord directions and instructions and not go our own Way; remembering that Messiah is the Rock of our Salvation Who has been struck once for our sins; and from Him we receive the life giving waters that cleanse us from all unrighteousness….all we need to do is to speak to the Rock….
Shalom, shalom mishpachah/family
and cheverim/friends!
It’s all about Life and Relationship,
NOT Religion.
You are greatly loved and precious in His sight.
NOT SURE?
YOU CAN BE..
SAY THE FOLLOWING FROM YOUR HEART RIGHT NOW…
Heavenly Father I come to you in the Name of Jesus/Yeshua asking for forgiveness of my sins for which I am truly sorry. I repent of them all and turn away from my past.
I believe with my heart and confess with my mouth that Jesus/Yeshua is your Son and that He died on the cross at calvary to pay the price for my sin, so that I might be forgiven and have eternal life in the kingdom of Heaven. Father I believe that Jesus/Yeshua rose from the dead and I ask you to come into my life right now and be my personal Savior and Lord and I will worship you all the days of my life. Because your word is truth I say that I am now forgiven and born again and by faith I am washed clean with the blood of Jesus/Yeshua. Thank you that you have accepted me into your family in Jesus’/Yeshua’s name. Amen
