Then Moses raised his arm and struck the rock twice with his staff. Water gushed out, and the community and their livestock drank.

Then Moses raised his arm and struck the rock twice with his staff. Water gushed out, and the community and their livestock drank – Numbers 20:11.

Poor Moses! How much could the man take before breaking? He had been magnanimous for so long. He had turned down God’s suggestion to allow Him to get rid of adulterous Israel and make a new nation out of him. He had interceded for them numerous times, exercised meekness beyond human limitation, and always allowed God to vindicate him against their charges. He had obeyed God every time and seen His glory. So, why now, Moses! Why do you hit the rock instead of speaking to it, as the Lord commanded you (Nu. 20:10-11)?

There is so much a person can take before they break. I can see the condition of Moses when the people came to him with their complaint for water.

Moses had just buried his sister, Mariam, and could still be in mourning (1). Before then, he had suffered the most painful challenge to his leadership by a group of rebels under Korah (16:1-3). Only the timely intervention of God saved the day and affirmed his divine appointment as leader of the Israelites (31-5).  But at Kadesh, his sister died. So, how insensitive could the people be? How could they attack him this way during his bereavement (2-3)? Had they not seen enough from the Lord for them to trust Him? Couldn’t they be a little considerate to the old man?

Most people don’t care so much when their personal needs are at stake. The selfishness in us always fights to trump the consideration of others, regardless of their current situation. They want what they want, now, and they demand they get it at all cost. The leader must conjure it from heaven if that’s what it takes; but it has to come sooner than later. Israel exhibited this side of our fallen nature so well throughout their wilderness sojourn, and Moses suffered the blunt of it. No wonder God took forty years to prepare him for the assignment.

Imagine an eighty-year old man; leading a people of about two million, including women, the aged, and children with all their possessions. Consider the logistics, and the planning and management of their camping and trekking. Think about the many times Moses sat from morning till evening, judging the people, until Jethro counseled and directed him to a better system (Exodus 18:13-26). And when you remember the countless number of times Moses interceded for the people against the wrath of God, then you can know his big heart and the grace of God that carried him. But this time, the big man lost it.

Moses wanted to call a spade for what it is, and that’s an attitude we all need to learn. The people were nothing but rebels, and in anger, he addressed them as such. But for once, Moses drew the people’s attention to himself (Nu. 20:10), and hit the rock against God’s instructions (11); and that dishonored God before the people (12). Consequently, Moses lost the honor of taking Israel across the border into the Promised Land.

The world is filled with stories like that of Moses. They may happen in different forms, but they are still painful experiences to endure. One act of careless outburst and a person’s whole career is run down the drain, and no one remembers them anymore. If there is one justification for self-control in our lives, this could be it. Thankfully, it is a fruit of the Holy Spirit, and He has it in abundance to freely bear it in you, if you yield everything to Him (Gal. 5:22).