Creator, Father, King #93

He does not punish us for all our sins; he does not deal harshly with us, as we deserve.

FORTY YEARS HAD PASSED.

The wicked generation that believed the ten spies’ cowardly report of Canaan had died. Now, the Israelites were back at Kadesh, a normally well-watered oasis south of the Promised Land, where their wilderness wanderings had started.

But there was a problem: the oasis was bone dry. How do you think Israel reacted?

(Drumroll, please.) That’s right, they complained and lost faith . . . again! (See Numbers 20:3-5.)

God showed mercy to Israel, commanding Moses to speak to a nearby rock to miraculously bring a water flow. Moses, however, was seething with anger at the people’s constant complaining.

“Listen, you rebels!” he shouted. “Must we bring you water from this rock?” (verse 10). Then he struck the rock twice with his staff.

Amazingly, water still flowed from the rock. But Moses and Aaron (who was with him at the time) had brazenly defied God’s command in sight of the people, so God had to discipline them: “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!” (verse 12).

What’s It Mean?

After leading Israel for forty years, Moses and Aaron died outside the Promised Land for their prideful rebellion at Kadesh (“Must we bring you water from this rock?”). Was this an unfair, harsh punishment? No. Because God is holy, any disobedience toward him is sinful insurrection, worthy of death (Romans 6:23).

Where Moses and his stubborn people deserved wrath, God showed great love and mercy. They complained and their leader raged, yet the water still flowed from the rock.

Lest we judge the obstinate Israelites too harshly, we must admit we bear a lot of similarities:

• Israel sinned and complained countless times. So do we.
• Israel frequently forgot God’s prior displays of love and power. So do we.
• Israel often lacked faith. So do we.

Our sin is great, but God’s mercy is greater. As today’s verse says, he does not treat us as our sins deserve.

God showed abundant mercy to Israel, and he does with us, too. When Moses struck the rock, despite his disobedience, God provided life-giving water to nourish his people. Many years later, despite our sin, God sent his own Son to the Cross to provide life-giving salvation to anyone who believes. Thank the Lord for that!

Now What?

Read Psalm 103 for a great reminder of his steadfast love toward those who don’t deserve it.

Did You Know?

Aaron died on Mount Hor, south of Canaan (Numbers 20:22-29). God allowed Moses to overlook Canaan on a mountain in Moab before he died (Deuteronomy 34).