Through the Bible - Joshua 5-6, Luke 3
Good morning,
We have considered biblical meekness as power under control. As mentioned yesterday, the Old Testament reading is now in the book of Joshua. His life is pretty much an example of this.
Moses had led the people those forty years in the desert but could not enter the promised land because of an episode in his life years before. It was a time when the people were grumbling in the desert about the lack of water and they questioned why they had ever been led out of Egypt (and out of bondage).
Moses was instructed to speak to the rock, instead, in anger, Moses struck the rock and water poured out.
But God was not pleased with Moses actions, it was not power under control.
Num 20:12 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!" 13 This place was known as the waters of Meribah (which means "arguing") because there the people of Israel argued with the Lord, and there he demonstrated his holiness among them. NLT
It may appear to be a harsh punishment for God's servant. MacArthur notes that "The Lord's evaluation of Moses was that he failed to take God at His word and thus to treat Him as holy to the people. Moses here failed in the same way Israel had at Kadesh 30 years earlier (14:1)."
What was the significance of his act? In the eyes of Israel, it was Moses anger that brought on God's miracle. It would give the people the impression that Moses had the "right" and the power to declare his own judgement and power to cause the water to usher forth. It was not the example of a humble servant as he had been known at other times in his life. God was still holy, and it was God that held the power and authority, not Moses.
What can we take from this? This meekness, this power under control comes from submitting to God's authority, not expecting or even demanding it. Our attitude should be that of John the Baptist in John chapter 3:
John 3:30 He must increase, but I must decrease. 31 He who comes from above is above all; he who is of the earth is earthly and speaks of the earth. He who comes from heaven is above all. NKJV
We can also learn that a person can live an "exemplary life" but still fail miserably in one weak moment. There is forgiveness but also consequences. This holds true in the secular world and in our spiritual lives. We need God's grace in order to have this "power under control" every day of our lives. Let us not let our pride, or anger, get in the way.
In Christ,
Mike
Num 20:1-14
Moses Strikes the Rock
20 In the first month of the year, the whole community of Israel arrived in the wilderness of Zin and camped at Kadesh. While they were there, Miriam died and was buried.
2 There was no water for the people to drink at that place, so they rebelled against Moses and Aaron. 3 The people blamed Moses and said, "If only we had died in the Lord's presence with our brothers! 4 Why have you brought the congregation of the Lord's people into this wilderness to die, along with all our livestock? 5 Why did you make us leave Egypt and bring us here to this terrible place? This land has no grain, no figs, no grapes, no pomegranates, and no water to drink!"
6 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, 7 and the Lord said to Moses, 8 "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 pour out its water. You will provide enough water from the rock to satisfy the whole community and their livestock."
9 So Moses did as he was told. He took the staff from the place where it was kept before the Lord. 10 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?" 11 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.
12 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!" 13 This place was known as the waters of Meribah (which means "arguing") because there the people of Israel argued with the Lord, and there he demonstrated his holiness among them. NLT
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