Honoring God

Author: Joseph

Date: December 16, 2018

Miriam died when Israel was wandering in the wilderness of Zin, a dry land. Instead of mourning for her, Israel complained against Moses and Aaron since they could not find any water to drink. They spoke up, saying that they wished they would have died when their relatives died before the Lord (during their rebellion). They did not care that Miriam died, only that they were worried about themselves dying as well.

Moses and Aaron bowed before the Lord and He spoke to them, telling Moses to speak to a rock and bring forth water for all of Israel and their animals to drink. Moses went to the rock as instructed by God, but he was doubtful if God would perform this miracle.

After Miriam died, Moses must have pondered if God would really bring the people into the land of promise. They were already wandering the wilderness because of Israel’s sin in spying out the land and giving a bad report. Miriam was previously plagued with leprosy because of her judging Moses (and thereby judging God’s character). Now, like so many of those in the cursed generation, she was dead in the wilderness. He might have questioned if anyone would survive the wilderness journey.

"Moses had stolen God’s glory..."

Moses, unsure of God’s willingness to fulfill His promise, struck the rock instead of speaking to it. Water went out from the rock, as promised by God, but by not speaking to the rock, he had dishonored God’s name before Aaron and all of Israel. Aaron had heard God’s instruction as he stood beside Moses when God appeared at the tent of meeting. Aaron did not stop Moses’s disobedience and could now be tempted to think that disobedience was acceptable even for him. The Israelites, who already were filled with unbelief, were now given reason to doubt that God performed the miracle since Moses struck the rock with his staff. Moses had stolen God’s glory and dishonored Him.

God mercifully let the waters flow from the rock, not because of Moses’s will, but because He had pity on Israel.

Israel had water to drink, but Moses and Aaron failed to honor God. God spoke to them, saying, “Because you have not believed Me, to treat Me as holy in the sight of the sons of Israel, therefore you shall not bring this assembly into the land which I have given them” (Numbers 20:12). Moses and Aaron would not be allowed to enter the land of promise, and like their sister, Miriam, would die in the wilderness.

Joshua, the son of Nun, would replace Moses and lead Israel into the land of promise and Eleazar, son of Aaron, would replace Aaron and become the high priest. These men, who honored God and had faith in Him, would enter the land of promise, while their predecessors who lacked faith would not.

When we dishonor God, we cannot expect this to come without consequence. Whether it is only ourselves or if others also observe our dishonoring of Him, we still defame His name and His identity. God’s name is then taken vainly as if He is not holy and His identity is distorted and falsely attributed with what is not good.

Do you honor God? Do your thoughts, your speech, and your actions bring honor to His name and reflect rightly who He is? He will ensure that all people know that He is the Lord God, a holy God, even by punishing those who dishonor Him. Let all that you do bring praise to His name. Instead of stealing His honor and bringing yourself shame, ensure that you are rightfully honoring Him.

Bible Passage: Numbers 20:1-29

Scripture quotations taken from the New American Standard Bible® (NASB). www.lockman.org