Scary Bible 1 – Moses and the Rock // Numbers 20:2-12

A message by Pastor Mark Jordan

Scary Bible Intro

  • Look at some of the challenging verses and stories in Scripture
  • Learn the lessons God has for us

Numbers 20:2-12 (NIV) | Now there was no water for the community, and the people gathered in opposition to Moses and Aaron. They quarreled with Moses and said, “If only we had died when our brothers fell dead before the Lord! Why did you bring the Lord’s community into this wilderness, that we and our livestock should die here? Why did you bring us up out of Egypt to this terrible place? It has no grain or figs, grapevines or pomegranates. And there is no water to drink!” Moses and Aaron went from the assembly to the entrance to the tent of meeting and fell facedown, and the glory of the Lord appeared to them. The Lord said to Moses, “Take the staff, and you and your brother Aaron gather the assembly together. Speak to that rock before their eyes and it will pour out its water. You will bring water out of the rock for the community so they and their livestock can drink.” So Moses took the staff from the Lord’s presence, just as he commanded him. 10 He and Aaron gathered the assembly together in front of the rock and Moses said to them, “Listen, you rebels, must we bring you water out of this rock?” 11 Then Moses raised his arm and struck the rock twice with his staff. Water gushed out, and the community and their livestock drank. 12 But the Lord said to Moses and Aaron, “Because you did not trust in me enough to honor me as holy in the sight of the Israelites, you will not bring this community into the land I give them.”

What’s So Scary?

  • For me, I can be sensitive to criticism; especially when I think I am following God’s will.
  • Moses did what he thought was right based on his experience.
  • Moses missed out the blessing of the Promised Land
    • BUT, Moses still received care from God
    • Pre-incarnate Jesus came and buried Moses in Moab (Deuteronomy 34:6)

Why Just Speak this Time? (v.8)

  • Overcome personal experience
    • Moses struck like last time (Exodus 17:6)
  • Trust God’s Word
    • Moses took matters into his own hands (v.10, must we bring you water out of this rock?)
  • Obey God’s Way
    • God specifically wanted him to speak to the rock so the Jewish people would realize that if even an inanimate rock listens to the word of God, how much more so should they.
  • Serenity within Struggle
    • Moses lost sight of his role to shepherd the Hebrews for God

Our Problem:

  • We tend to want God to obey us as opposed to us obeying God
    • Luke 6:46 (TLB) | So why do you call me ‘Lord’ when you won’t obey me?
  • We trust what we can sense
    • Psalm 56:3-4a (NIV) | When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.  In God, whose word I praise — in God I trust and am not afraid.
  • We lean too much on personal experiences
    • Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV) | Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding, in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.

Hope & Help

  • Trust God’s Word
  • Obey God’s Will
  • Look for new experiences of God

Reflection Questions:

  1. When do you fear you missed out on God’s blessing because you did not follow His word, will, and way?
  2. Why is obedience so important when it comes to following God?
  3. How did Moses take matters into his own hand? When have you done something similar? What happened?
  4. Are there any past experiences you need to overcome so you can hear God speak and heed God’s call?
  5. How might God bring you serenity in the struggles of life?