And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, Take the rod, and gather thou the assembly together, thou, and Aaron thy brother, and speak ye unto the rock before their eyes; and it shall give forth his water, and thou shalt bring forth to them water out of the rock: so thou shalt give the congregation and their beasts drink. And Moses took the rod from before the LORD, as He commanded him. And Moses and Aaron gathered the congregation together before the rock, and he said unto them, Hear now, ye rebels; must we fetch you water out of this rock? And Moses lifted up his hand, and with his rod he smote the rock twice: and the water came out abundantly, and the congregation drank, and their beasts also. And the LORD spake unto Moses and Aaron, Because ye believed Me not, to sanctify Me in the eyes of the children of Israel, therefore ye shall not bring this congregation into the land which I have given them. (Num. 20:7-12)
When the people complained about a lack of water in the desert God told Moses to gather the people together at the rock of Meribah with Aaron. God told Moses to speak to the rock and God would bring forth water unto the people. Moses, in a fit of petulance and frustration with the complaining people, struck the rock and decried the rebellious attitudes of the people of Israel as though he were the offended party. God immediately judged his lack of faith and disobedience and declared that Moses too would not enter into the Promised land which the Lord had given to Israel.
Gods commands and precepts are to be obeyed. He directed Moses to speak to the rock, not at a whim or as a grand gesture, but as a demonstration of His power. Not only did Moses speak out as though he were providing for the people and not God, but he also acted on his presumption. Striking the rock could be seen as breaking the rock and allowing existing water to flow, all by human effort, instead of speaking to it and God bringing forth the water of life. Though the picture of the Rock of Ages being smitten and giving life is still a part of this demonstration of God’s provision, the event itself is somewhat lessened by Moses’ act of disobedience and so he was judged and denied entry into the land of Israel which God had promised.
Christ is our life, the Rock of ages, smitten and cursed for us, who gives the water of life. He took our punishment and all the curses of sin in our place that we might have life and have it more abundantly. Those that repent of their sins, turning away from their sin not just in remorse but in agreement with God obtain forgiveness because of His mercy. Those that repent and place their trust in Him and His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary are born again from above, not by their works or any merit, but because of the grace of God who alone can save. The just God who must punish sin in judgment is also the merciful God who took that sin upon Himself that He might satisfy the wrath of the Father and reconcile all who receive Him with the Father and with Himself.
God has sent those of us that know Him out into this world to reach the lost that they might be saved from sin. He desires that His people strive to be holy and obedient unto Him that we might minister to those around us who are hurting and in need as He provides. We serve others, equipped with the Word of reconciliation and righteousness, rightly divided and fitly spoken, that they may see Christ in us, the hope of Glory. Our GOD has commanded us to love one another with an unfeigned love, even as He first loved us, and to disciple one another in the Word of GOD so that we may all grow in grace and in the Knowledge of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Our Lord has commissioned those who are His with the Gospel of Jesus Christ, to go where He sends us in the power of the Holy Spirit. As we go, we are to proclaim the Good News of forgiveness through repentance and reconciliation with the Father through faith in His Son, that those who believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah of GOD might have life in His Name.
GOD is not willing that any should perish, but that all would come to repentance and the knowledge of the Truth. Jesus loves you and wants to establish a covenant relationship with you that is real and personal. Surrender to Him on His terms and He will give you a brand new life of discipleship and fellowship with Him that is abundant and everlasting. GOD calls you to faith in Christ and His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary to pay your sIn debt. He has provided the only way of reconciliation with GOD, forgiveness from GOD, and Salvation through Jesus Christ, the Son of GOD who is GOD the Son, to give you a new life in Christ. Turn away from yourself and your sIn and turn to Him alone for eternal Life, now and always.
In Christ,
Jefferson Sweet
Gods commands and precepts are to be obeyed. He directed Moses to speak to the rock, not at a whim or as a grand gesture, but as a demonstration of His power. Not only did Moses speak out as though he were providing for the people and not God, but he also acted on his presumption. Striking the rock could be seen as breaking the rock and allowing existing water to flow, all by human effort, instead of speaking to it and God bringing forth the water of life. Though the picture of the Rock of Ages being smitten and giving life is still a part of this demonstration of God’s provision, the event itself is somewhat lessened by Moses’ act of disobedience and so he was judged and denied entry into the land of Israel which God had promised.
Christ is our life, the Rock of ages, smitten and cursed for us, who gives the water of life. He took our punishment and all the curses of sin in our place that we might have life and have it more abundantly. Those that repent of their sins, turning away from their sin not just in remorse but in agreement with God obtain forgiveness because of His mercy. Those that repent and place their trust in Him and His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary are born again from above, not by their works or any merit, but because of the grace of God who alone can save. The just God who must punish sin in judgment is also the merciful God who took that sin upon Himself that He might satisfy the wrath of the Father and reconcile all who receive Him with the Father and with Himself.
God has sent those of us that know Him out into this world to reach the lost that they might be saved from sin. He desires that His people strive to be holy and obedient unto Him that we might minister to those around us who are hurting and in need as He provides. We serve others, equipped with the Word of reconciliation and righteousness, rightly divided and fitly spoken, that they may see Christ in us, the hope of Glory. Our GOD has commanded us to love one another with an unfeigned love, even as He first loved us, and to disciple one another in the Word of GOD so that we may all grow in grace and in the Knowledge of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Our Lord has commissioned those who are His with the Gospel of Jesus Christ, to go where He sends us in the power of the Holy Spirit. As we go, we are to proclaim the Good News of forgiveness through repentance and reconciliation with the Father through faith in His Son, that those who believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah of GOD might have life in His Name.
GOD is not willing that any should perish, but that all would come to repentance and the knowledge of the Truth. Jesus loves you and wants to establish a covenant relationship with you that is real and personal. Surrender to Him on His terms and He will give you a brand new life of discipleship and fellowship with Him that is abundant and everlasting. GOD calls you to faith in Christ and His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary to pay your sIn debt. He has provided the only way of reconciliation with GOD, forgiveness from GOD, and Salvation through Jesus Christ, the Son of GOD who is GOD the Son, to give you a new life in Christ. Turn away from yourself and your sIn and turn to Him alone for eternal Life, now and always.
In Christ,
Jefferson Sweet
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