The Man Moses #16

The Lord said to me,.."I will test my people with a plumbline. Amos 7:8 (TLB)

The Plumbline is a blog to encourage the Body of Christ.

The Man Moses #16

The Word of the Lord - The Bible

OPPORTUNITY LOST:  The generation that had stood at the entrance to Canaan had thrown away the Promised Land. How striking that the first words of Numbers 15 are these: "The Lord said to Moses, 'Speak to the Israelites and say to them, "After you enter the land." ' " One generation had lost its opportunity to know rest, but their children would make a different choice. One generation had violated the Law Covenant, but God's commitment to His own covenant promises remained firm.

THE SPIRIT OF REBELLION:  The years that followed were years of continuing rebellion. Korah, a Levite, led a rebellion, and on Moses' word the ground opened to swallow up Korah and all his followers (Numbers 16). The congregation challenged this judgment, and a plague struck 14,700 (Numbers 16:41-50). The strain of being the link between God and sinful man was fully recognized now by Moses and by Aaron. To Aaron God said—and now the old man understood—"You, your sons, and your father's family are to bear the responsibility for sins against the sanctuary" (Numbers 18:1). Those close to God know a constant tension and struggle with those who draw back from Him and His Word.

But the dreary years passed. The old spirit of complaint continued to mark this generation of Israelites until the end (Numbers 20:2-9). But the end did come.In the fortieth year of deliverance from Egypt, in the thirty-eighth year of wilderness wandering, Aaron died and the role of high priest passed to one of his sons. The old generation was dying, soon to pass away in final outbreaks of rebellion and quick judgment. Then a new generation would come.

RESPONSIBILITY  ACCEPTED: That new generation would accept the responsibility that comes with redemption. That generation would choose obedience—and would come to know the rest of the Lord.

The People Murmur for Water, Moses Directed to Smite the Rock, (20:1-13). After thirty-eight years' tedious abode in the wilderness, the armies of Israel advanced towards Canaan. There was no water for the congregation. We live in a wanting world, and wherever we are, must expect to meet with something to put us out. It is a great mercy to have plenty of water, a mercy in which is found value and worth. Hereupon they murmured against Moses and Aaron. They spake the same absurd and brutish language their fathers had done. It made their crime worse, that they had smarted so long for the discontent and distrusts of their fathers, yet they venture in the same steps. Moses must again, in God's name, command water out of a rock for them; God is as able as ever to supply his people with what is needful for them. But Moses and Aaron acted wrong. They took much of the glory of this work of wonder to themselves; "Must we fetch water?" As if it were done by some power or worthiness of their own. They were to speak to the rock, but they smote it. Numbers 20:11 (NKJV) Then Moses lifted his hand and struck the rock twice with his rod; and water came out abundantly, and the congregation and their animals drank. 
Therefore it is charged that they did not sanctify God, they did not give to him alone the glory of this miracle which was due in his name. And being provoked by the people, Moses spake unadvisedly with his lips. The same pride of man would still usurp the office of the appointed Mediator; and become to ourselves wisdom, righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption. Such a state of sinful independence, such a rebellion of the soul against its Saviour, the voice of God condemns in every page of the gospel.

Numbers 20:11 (NLT) Then Moses raised his hand and struck the rock twice with the staff, and water gushed out. So the entire community and their livestock drank their fill.

AARON’S DEATH: God bids Aaron prepare to die. There is something of displeasure in these orders. Aaron must not enter Canaan, because he had failed in his duty at the waters of strife. There is a lot of mercy in them. Aaron, though he dies for his transgression, dies with ease, and in honor. He is gathered to his people, as one who dies in the arms of Divine grace. There is tremendous significancy in these orders. Aaron is restricted from entering Canaan, to show that the Levitical priesthood could make nothing perfect; that must be done by bringing in a better hope.  It was a great satisfaction to Aaron to see his son, who was dear to him, preferred; and his office preserved and secured: especially, to see in this a figure of Christ's everlasting priesthood.