Numbers 20:6-12 Moses and Aaron turned away from the people and went to the entrance of the Tabernacle, where they fell face down on the ground. Then the glorious presence of the Lord appeared to them, and the Lord said to Moses, “You and Aaron must take the staff and assemble the entire community. As the people watch, speak to the rock over there, and it will provide enough water from the rock to satisfy the whole community and their livestock.” So Moses did as he was told. He took the staff from the place where it was kept before the Lord. Then he and Aaron summoned the people to come and gather at the rock. “Listen, you rebels!” He shouted. “Must we bring you water from this rock?” Then Moses raised his hand and struck the rock twice with the staff, and water gushed out. So the entire community and their livestorck drank their fill. But the Lord said to Moses and Aaron, “Because you did not trust me enough to demonstrate my holiness to the people of Israel, you will not lead them into the land I am giving them!”
Do you see? Moses was angry. He was frustrated. He was tired of the people blaming him and Aaron every time something went wrong. In his heart, he knew that when the people rebelled, they were rebelling against me. But, he allowed their words and attitudes to affect him. So instead of complete and total obedience to what I had commanded him (take the staff and speak to the rock), he engaged in partial obedience and prideful disobedience. He did not speak to the rock, but yelled at the people, and struck the rock twice. And he did not demonstrate my holiness to my people. Instead, he took credit for the appearance of the water. But, pay attention. I did not punish the people because he did not obey. I still provided the water they needed for themselves and their animals. And I did not take my presence from Moses or Aaron. I continued to appear to them, to communicate with them, to allow them to lead my people. But, there was a harsh consequence for this disobedience. I did not allow Moses or Aaron to enter into the land they had been seeking all those years in the desert. They would only see it from afar. Do not miss this. When I ask something of you, I expect immediate, complete obedience. If you cannot or do not do that, there will be consequences. Perhaps if you continually act in such a way, I will stop seeking you, I will stop allowing you opportunity to serve me. One thing is for sure, if you do not obey – follow my plans – you will not receive the complete blessings that I have in store for you. And you potentially diminish the blessings I have for others through you.
Amanuensis 