Numbers 20-21; Psalm 87

Read: Numbers 20-21; Psalm 87

Verses chosen for meditation: Numbers 20:21-23 ESV

11 And Moses lifted up his hand and struck the rock with his staff twice, and water came out abundantly, and the congregation drank, and their livestock. 12 And the Lord said to Moses and Aaron, “Because you did not believe in me, to uphold me as holy in the eyes of the people of Israel, therefore you shall not bring this assembly into the land that I have given them.” 13 These are the waters of Meribah,[a] where the people of Israel quarreled with the Lord, and through them he showed himself holy.

Reflection

Whining and grumbling seemed to be second nature to the Israelites. Many from the previous generation would have passed on by now as they approached the 40 - year mark in their wilderness journey. However, reflections of the old guards can still be seen in the younger generation in their response and reactions to unpleasant situations.

Moses, their leader, together with Aaron, seemed to have been putting up with their incessant displeasure and nitpicking over the slightest discomfort and inconvenience. All because they're not in the land yet promised to them.

But was striking the rock one time or two times too many such a big display of disbelief on Moses' part that he should be entirely blamed for it? What about his own issues since he had just lost a sister and was perhaps, equally perplexed by the whole thing? 

What can we learn about leadership here? How does God view leadership?

Relate

It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that we see ourselves in the Israelites. Their reactions shouldn't surprise any of us at all. In fact, there'll be some of us who may even think that the Israelites were not wrong. For how can anyone make sense of problems, which don't seem to lead to the promises spoken of, and promises, which don't seem to support or explain the problems encountered?

It's said that old habits die hard. We observe clearly here that the habits of 

the previous generation were still very much entrenched in the present. We've also been told that to phase anything out would take at least 3 or more generations. On top of that, memories and experiences add to the tenacity of habits as well, including being stuck in a rut with no possibility of running away or changing. For they had been in the wilderness, and still were, for nearly forty years already.

Is the solution then to get them out of the wilderness as quickly as possible? For every extra day was like torture, a far cry from the paradise they had dreamed of, a land flowing with milk and honey, the land on the other side.

What if God wasn't fully aware of their plight and didn't exactly understand their issues? That train of thought couldn't be further from the truth. God knew. He understood (Heb 2: 18, 1 Cor 10: 13). He even provided a way out each time. Rest assured he's still doing it for you and me.

In return, all God asks is for us to wait a while. To remind ourselves constantly of who he is, especially at a time like the one encountered by the Israelites. To trust him completely. To continue with our duties diligently as there's still much work to be done for his kingdom. And to take heart, knowing that he is fully aware, fully in charge and very much in control no matter what the situation is.

Unfortunately, all this was lost on Moses who was temporarily caught up in his own grief. He was also reading the room according to his own understanding, and perhaps, even fending for himself since he was angry with both God and mob. But, of course, these are mere speculations. No one really knows for sure, only God knows.

Leaders can be vulnerable at times by the stresses and pressures of their job, not excluding their own personal struggles. Moses was perhaps in greater need of a personal time with God than mediating for the people. It'd have done him well to settle that first before carrying out the duties of a leader. For Christ himself often withdrew to the wilderness for prayer (Luke 5: 16). He knew that he needed time away from the crowds. For crowds and noise sap us.

It was not one strike or two strikes that broke the rule, but what's on the mind and heart of Moses when he struck the rock with the rod. This was after being told specifically to speak only to the rock. He had obviously missed the whole point of God's intention, which was to use a subtly different approach to reach out to the younger generation. While their reactions could have been a repeat of their forefathers, God was intending to approach them differently in hopes of changing them. In the past, a strike was necessary to bring forth water (Exodus 17: 6). Now, all that would've been required was a gentle voice. It would've made a great impact. They would've seen God in a different light, a holier light. A God who is unlike all other gods. Instead, Moses, in his anger, also seen as disbelief, had to add one more strike to the previous count, which completely ruined the whole purpose. But even then, God allowed water to gush forth from the rock.

A leader, spiritual in this instance, has basically three areas of focus: God, Vision and People, not forgetting himself or herself although this aspect has been briefly dealt with above. A task - oriented leader will no doubt place emphasis on achieving and hitting the goals of its vision while a people - oriented leader will naturally place greater weight on meeting the needs of its people. But a spiritual leader should first and foremost be God - centred. So, even though Moses sought God and fell facedown before God, he was not God - centred when it mattered as his actions betrayed him. In a brief moment, he had lost himself and along with that, his God - centredness.

Even then God was compassionate. He invited Moses up Mt Nebo and showed him the Promised Land from a distance (Deuteronomy 34: 4,5). Moses would also re - appear centuries later along with Elijah on the Mount of Transfiguration together with Christ, and thus setting foot in the Promised Land after all.

A salient reminder then to all of us spiritual leaders: More than pursuing a vision or minding a people, it's a calling for God - centredness.

Rest

Lord, whether it be vision or people, may it be you first. To know what you have to say. To do according to what you have said. Being assured always that you know, you care, you're in control and you'll make a way.

Naville Chia