Speak Ye unto the Rock

The Story

Nearly forty years earlier, in the wilderness, the people of Israel had run out of water. God told Moses to strike a rock with his staff, and water poured out.

Now, near the end of their journey, it happened again. There was no water. The people gathered against Moses and Aaron, complaining bitterly. “Why have ye brought up the congregation of the LORD into this wilderness, that we and our cattle should die there?”

Moses and Aaron fell on their faces before the Lord. And God gave Moses clear instructions: take the rod, gather the people, and “speak ye unto the rock before their eyes; and it shall give forth his water.”

This time, God said speak to the rock. Not strike it.

Moses gathered the people. But he was angry. “Hear now, ye rebels; must we fetch you water out of this rock?”

Then he lifted his hand and struck the rock with his rod. Twice.

Water gushed out, and the people and their animals drank. God was still faithful to provide.

But the Lord said to Moses and Aaron, because you did not believe Me, to honor Me as holy in the eyes of the people, you will not bring this assembly into the land I have given them.

Reflection