Given Much

Exodus 33:11

Was there ever a man given as much as Moses?  Perhaps, but there is no denying that Moses received much from Yehovah. 

As I was reading in 1 Corinthians, I was reminded of the history of Moses and the rock.  You are likely familiar.  

Moses is told to strike the rock.  He strikes, and water comes forth. Moses is told to speak to the rock.  He strikes in disobedience.  He is punished...severely.

So why is that?

Let's look at some scriptures to put this puzzle together.

Exodus 17:6
Numbers 20:8
1 Corinthians 10:4

If you just read those 3 scripture passages, you are probably having the "ah-ha!" moment that I had.  Let's break it down:

In one instance, let's call it the "first" instance, Yehovah tells Moses to strike the rock (Ex 17:6).  That worked.  Water came forth.  The people were saved!  

In the "second" instance, Yehovah had a different plan.  His plan was for Moses to speak to the rock. However, in Moses' frustration, he went with what worked the "first" time.  He struck the rock.  Water came forth, and the people were saved again...BUT Moses was held accountable and punished for his disobedience.  

"Because you did not trust in Me so as to esteem Me as holy in the eyes of the sons of Israel, therefore you will not bring this assembly into the land that I have given to them" (Num 20:12).

Ouch!  

So why was Yehovah so angry?  

We are given two reasons:  

1. Yehovah had been misrepresented in the eyes of the people (Num 20: 12); AND 
2. The Rock was Messiah! (1 Corinth 10:4)

What!?!

Yes, Paul tells us that The Rock was Messiah!  

So...let's think back to Yeshua as a "type" in the Old Testament.  The "first" rock was struck.  

Yeshua in his first advent was also struck.  He was made fun of, despised, mistreated, beaten, and ultimately hung on a cruel cross, where he gave His life...(His life-giving water, Rev 22:17) for sinful man.  

The "second" rock was supposed to be spoken to.  --Do you see that Moses "broke" the "type" by his disobedience?  

Yeshua was broken...struck down for our sins.  But now, His salvation is available to us if we confess with our mouths that Yeshua is Lord and believe in our hearts that Yehovah has raised Him from the dead (Romans 10:9).  When Moses struck the "second" rock, he caused Israel to miss this important "type."

And he was punished severely.  He could not enter the land.

Wow, Debbie.  That seems extreme.  

It was extreme.  

Moses had been given much, and much was required of him (Luke 12:48).

Scripture tells us that Moses knew Yehovah "paniym le paniym," that is "face to face," as a man would know a friend (Ex 33:11). 

He knew Yehovah FACE to FACE, and yet, chose disobedience.   

Before we judge Moses too harshly...what about us?  

We. Have. Been. Given. Much.

We have access to salvation for simply asking.

We have been given The Holy Spirit to guide us.

We have been given the full cannon of Yehovah's Word:  The Bible.

Especially, if you are able to read this blog in English...

You. Have. Been. Given. Much.

The English-speaking world lives in relative security with freedom to read the bible, worship Yehovah, and spread the testimony of Yeshua.

Our brothers and sisters around the world are literally dying for these freedoms.  

What are we doing with them?

What am I doing with them?

Friends, read the bible!  Worship Yehovah!  Tell others about the salvation available through Yeshua!  

May we take advantage of every gift that we have been given and choose to walk in obedience.  

We. Have. Been. Given. Much.

Much is required...