The Israelites arrived in the Wilderness of Zin in the first month and stayed at Kadesh. (Numbers 20:1)
Mistake #1 Contending with Moses
There was no water and the Israelites gathered against Moses contended with him saying, "If only we had died when our brothers died before God! Why have you brought the people of God into this wilderness so that we can die here?
Why have you made us leave Egypt to bring us to this evil place?
This place does not have grain, figs, vines or pomegranates and there is no water to drink". (Numbers 20:2-5)
Lesson #1
Turn away from contentious people.The Israelites had repeatedly complained to Moses about numerous things that they faced in the wilderness and in this incident we can see that Moses did not even bother to answer them for he Left the presence of the Israelites and went to the door of the Tabernacle of Meeting. (Numbers 20:6)
Therefore if you have to live or work with people who like starting arguments, turn away from them physically, mentally and emotionally and seek the presence of God by praying and listening to Christian praise and worship music.
Mistake #2 Disobeying God
When Moses and Aaron sought the Lord's presence "The glory of God appeared to them and God told Moses 'Take the rod, gather the Israelites, speak to the rock and it will yield its water.'" (Numbers 20:8) However Moses spoke to the Israelites instead of to the rock and told them, "Listen you rebels! Must we bring water for you out of this rock? Then Moses lifted his hand, struck the rock twice with his rod and water came out abundantly." (Numbers 20:10-11)
Lesson #2
Give God His glory.Moses did not honor God when he produced water from the rock for the Israelites to drink and God punished him by not allowing him to enter the Promised Land for he said, "Because you did not believe Me and hallow Me in front of the Israelites, you shall not bring the Israelites into the land I have given them." (Numbers 20:12)
Aaronn did not also enter the Promised Land because of the same issue for God said, "Because you rebelled against My word at the waters of Meribah." (Numbers 20:24) Aaron was therefore stripped of his garments and they were given to his Eleazar his son.
Therefore when God performs a miracle in your life, testify and glorify Him because it was His power that did it.
Lesson #3
Do not let people provoke you to sin.Chances are that Moses struck the rock twice instead of speaking to it because he was angry because of how the Israelites had harassed him with their persistent complaints.
Therefore to avoid being in a similar situation, stay away from people who are prone to annoying you. If you cannot avoid them like Moses who was stuck with the Israelites in the wilderness, pray and ask God to help you.
In addition, take measures to ensure that people do not make you sin against God by heeding Paul who says, "I discipline my body and bring it into subjection so that when I have preached to others I do not become disqualified." (1 Corinthians 9:27)
Click on the link to learn How to Manage Your Anger - Christian Anger Management
Click on the link to learn How to Manage Other People's Anger Biblically
While at Kadesh, Moses sent messengers to the King of Edom asking for permission to pass through their land. He said they would not pass through the fields or vineyards or drink water from their wells.
However Edom refused to grant them permission and turned them away by coming against the Israelites with many men even though Moses had promised to pay for any water drunk by their livestock on the way.(Numbers 20:14-21)
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