THE WATER OF MERIBAH

NUMBERS 20:1-13

Observations in Numbers 20:1-13• Moses & Aaron’s sister Miriam died v.1• No water or food v.2 except manna!• Contended with Moses & Aaron by saying, “If

only we had died when our brethren died before the Lord!” v.3

• Wished to die with rebellious Korah • Spoke like Dathan & Abiram v. 4-5 with 16:12-14• Did not see hand of God leading Israel• Moses & Aaron went to the Lord v.6• The glory of the Lord appeared to them

Observations in Numbers 20:1-13• The Lord spoke to Moses v.71. Take the rod2. Gather the congregation together3. Speak to the rock before their eyes• The rock will yield water v.8• Thus you shall bring water out of the rock, and

give drink to the congregation & their animalsMoses took the rod as God commanded v.9Moses & Aaron gathered the assembly v.10Moses spoke

Observations in Numbers 20:1-13• The Lord spoke to Moses v.71. Take the rod2. Gather the congregation together3. Speak to the rock before their eyes• The rock will yield water v.8• Thus you shall bring water out of the rock, and

give drink to the congregation & their animalsMoses took the rod as God commanded v.9Moses & Aaron gathered the assembly v.10X Moses spoke to them

Observations in Numbers 20:1-13• The Lord spoke to Moses v.71. Take the rod2. Gather the congregation together3. Speak to the rock before their eyes• The rock will yield water v.8• Thus you shall bring water out of the rock, and

give drink to the congregation & their animalsMoses took the rod as God commanded v.9Moses & Aaron gathered the assembly v.10X Moses spoke to them (not to the rock)

Observations in Numbers 20:1-13• Hear now, you rebels! Must we bring water for

you out of this rock? Reinforces Israel’s godless thinking and complaining

X Moses lifted his hand (see 2 Kings 5:11) and struck the rock with the rod (see Exodus 17:5-6)

• Nothing happenedX Moses struck the rock again• Water came out abundantly• All the people and animals drank• God was hallowed among them v.13

Observations in Numbers 20:1-13• God was hallowed among them but not by

Moses and Aaron v.12• Because you did not believe Me,• to hallow (sanctify) Me in the eyes of the

children of Israel,• Therefore you shall not bring this assembly into

the land which I have given them• Leadership without God produces the inability

to lead• Complainers left God out; so did Moses & Aaron

More Lessons from Meribah• All have sinned and have come short of the

glory of God Romans 3:23• Even the best of God’s people made mistakes• Give glory to God• Don’t take credit for yourself Acts 12:20-24• Do what God says in God’s way• What God commanded the first time is not ok

the second time if God specified otherwise• Even if there is no specific prohibition Matt.

15:13 for example: 2 Chron. 29:25, Eph. 5:19

More Lessons from Meribah• Emotional distress does not justify my sin Psalm

106:32-33 others’ wrong does not justify my sin• One sin can keep you from the Promised Land

Acts 8:20-25• Spiritual worship must reflect spiritual reality 1

Cor. 10:3, John 7:37-39, Hebrews 9:24-27• Type – antitype• Moses doesn’t save; Yeshua saves• Law of Moses cannot save; Jesus saves Rom 6:3