“Harmless” Touch!
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It started like a very familiar instruction, something he had probably done before; and in a similar situation too. So he assumed the same procedure would work. But it cost him dearly.
In yesterdays devotional entitled, “Look Straight,” we looked at how an accidental sight led David into sin, and a lot of trouble, and today we will look at how the sense of touch led to Moses being denied entry into the promised land!
Let us read in here.
In the first month of the year, the whole community of Israel arrived in the wilderness of Zin and camped at Kadesh. While they were there, Miriam died and was buried.
There was no water for the people to drink at that place, so they rebelled against Moses and Aaron. The people blamed Moses and said,
“If only we had died in the Lord’s presence with our brothers! Why have you brought the congregation of the Lord’s people into this wilderness to die, along with all our livestock? Why did you make us leave Egypt and bring us here to this terrible place? This land has no grain, no figs, no grapes, no pomegranates, and no water to drink!”Moses and Aaron turned away from the people and went to the entrance of the Tabernacle, where they fell face down on the ground. Then the glorious presence of the Lord appeared to them, and the Lord said to Moses,
“You and Aaron must take the staff and assemble the entire community. As the people watch, speak to the rock over there, and it will pour out its water. You will provide enough water from the rock to satisfy the whole community and their livestock.”So Moses did as he was told. He took the staff from the place where it was kept before the Lord. Then he and Aaron summoned the people to come and gather at the rock.
“Listen, you rebels!” he shouted. “Must we bring you water from this rock?”
Then Moses raised his hand and struck the rock twice with the staff, and water gushed out. So the entire community and their livestock drank their fill.But the Lord said to Moses and Aaron,
“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!”
(Numbers 20:1-12 NLT)
This is one of the most tragic accounts in the Bible. It would have been very beautiful to see Moses enter the promised land with the people he took out of Egypt. What a joyful occasion that would have been? But it never was because of one apparently harmless slip.
The Israelites, in the wilderness, had rebelled because they had run out of water. Moses and Aaron however gained some relief when the Lord told them what to do. They were to take their staff, assemble the people; and as the people watched, speak to a rock to pour out its water.(vv. 8). This account is similar to the one at Sinai (Exodus 17), but the instructions are different!
Moses, obviously very angry (vv. 10) struck the rock twice contrary to the instruction (vv.11)! Many commentators vary on what really upset the Lord (some feel it was Moses’ angry outburst; others argue it could be something else that involved Aaron as well, since the punishment was for both of them. Some even argue he struck the rock twice contrary to what he did at Sinai ! Others also say, by saying “Must we bring you water from this rock,” they were ascribing the miracle to themselves and taking the glory, instead of giving glory to God. This last explanation is quite close for me, taking cognizance of what the Lord said in vv. 12).
We would however stick to the instruction given, and what Moses did. He touched when he was told to speak, and it compromised everything he had achieved since the Lord appeared to him in the burning bush! The sense of touch compromised his whole body.
There are many of us that a being tempted to touch certain things: That company fund, that church money; that man, woman, girl or boy; that document we are not supposed to open or take.
What are you tempted to touch? It can change your destiny!
MEMORY VERSE
“Then the LORD’s anger was aroused against Uzzah, and he struck him dead because he had laid his hand on the Ark.”
(1 Chronicles 13:10)
QUESTIONS
What are you tempted to touch, or have?
Do you know that it can cost you your life or destiny?
PRAYER TIP
Father, please help me
to control the things I
desire to do so that I will
do only what is pleasing
to You.
URGENT CALL
Every soul is valuable to God, far more than the entire world! But by nature, we are all sinful, and alienated from God, and we ultimately face his wrath!
God in His mercy and love made a way for us to remedy this. He gives us a chance to reverse this downward spiral to destruction, join His family, be part of His household, and become His children.
The first step to becoming a member of God’s household is for us to be saved.
Salvation comes through accepting Jesus Christ as our Lord and Personal Savior.
It is a very personal decision. No one can make that decision for you.
If you make that decision today, there will be great singing and rejoicing in heaven; because one new member has joined the family and household of God! A soul, much, much more valuable than the world, has been saved from destruction!
Do you want to make that decision today?
Please visit “The Believer’s Prayer” for guidance if you want to make that decision.
Then develop your new relationship
with God through your Quiet Time.
Then find a Bible-Believing Church where you can Fellowship with like minded people.
We will be happy to hear from you through the contact information on that page, or the ones at the top of this page. Don’t delay. Make this very personal decision today!
God richly bless you
SPECIAL GRATITUDE
Thank you for visiting the Testimony Devotional Website.
We would not have gotten here without your prayers, goodwill and overall support. We are grateful, and humbled.
We thank God for counting us worthy to share in His Great Commission; and we thank you for sticking with us through this journey.
God richly bless you.
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