A Leader's Failure

(Today's reading is Numbers 20:1 - 21:35; 33:1 - 49)
We take a big leap through time today as Numbers jumps to the last year of the Israelites wandering. Miriam dies and is buried. Once again the people cry out against Moses and Aaron. Moses strikes the rock to bring forth water. Moses and Aaron are disqualified from entering the promised land. Aaron dies and the people mourned for thirty days. Snakes enter the camp, killing many. A bronze snake is placed on a pole, giving anyone who is bitten a second chance at life. The Israelites begin to win battles as they prepare to take the land. Many lessons to be learned, but one that calls to me today.
The people were demanding water, Moses and Aaron come before God and are given instructions. 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". (Numbers 20:7,8) They are given specific instructions on how to obtain the water. Go before the people, speak to the rock and God would cause water to gush from the rock and the people could drink. Simple enough.
I am somewhat sympathetic to Moses' cause here. He has looked after these people for 40 years and they continue to challenge him and be unfaithful to God. I don't know how I would have reacted, but we know how Moses did.
"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?”  Then Moses raised his arm and struck the rock twice with his staff. Water gushed out, and the community and their livestock drank". (Numbers 20:10,11)
Instead of obeying God and speaking to the rock, Moses chose to demonstrate his own power by striking the rock with the staff. We cannot look into Moses heart, but God can. If is difficult to understand the punishment that God administers to Moses and Aaron. It cannot be the simple act of striking the rock that brought such harsh judgement on them. We are given insight into God's view. "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". (Numbers 20:12)
God tells him that there is an issue of trust and honor. Moses lacked trust in God and did not give him the honor for the miracle that had been done. I think his comment to the people demonstrate his attitude, "must we bring water out of this rock". Must WE?
Sometimes leaders forget that the source of their leadership is outside of themselves. Sometimes leaders begin to believe that they alone possess the ability to lead. Moses and Aaron had forgotten to point to the maker of the rock and the water, and instead honored themselves. They were human, just like you and me. Lest we forget Moses attitude when God first told him to go to Egypt. Lest we forget Aaron's golden calf. Moses and Aaron were sinners and sin brings consequences.
It is sad that they would not enter the promised land, they both would die before their feet touched that soil. "Pride goes before destruction, And a haughty spirit before a fall". (Proverbs 16:18) God warns those that follow Him that pride is a sin with heavy consequences. He is the rewarder of the humble and the punisher of the proud. "When pride comes, then comes shame; But with the humble is wisdom".(Proverbs 11:2)
Whether we are leaders or followers, we must keep our egos in check. It cost Moses the reward of his labors. No matter how you or I feel about that, God is just and His decisions are right. May we always remember that any talents and abilities we possess are a gift from God and are to be used to point to Him. One day (Lord willing) we will see Moses and Aaron. They most certainly have entered THE promised land. May we live in such a way that through our Savior we to may enter in. We can ask them about the details then.