Moses Misses the Mark

The entire Israelite community entered the a Wilderness of Zin in the first month, and they settled in Kadesh. Miriam died and was buried there.
There was no water in the community, so they assembled against Moses and Aaron.
Then Moses and Aaron went from the presence of the assembly to the doorway of the Tent of Meeting. They fell down with their faces to the ground, and the glory of The Lord appeared to them. The Lord spoke to Moses, 'take the staff and assemble the community. You and your brother are to speak to the rock while they watch, and it will yield its water. You will bring out water for them from the rock and provide drink for the community and their livestock.
So Moses took the staff from the Lord's presence just as He had commanded him. Moses and Aaron summoned the assembly in front of the rock, and Moses said to them: "Listen, you rebels! Must we bring water out of this rock for you? "
Then Moses raised his hand and struck the rock twice with his staff, so that a great amount of water gushed out, and the community and their livestock drank.
Numbers 20:1-11

Fancy trying to lead this bunch of rebels! Moses was exasperated. He took the staff but rather than speak to the rock, he spoke to the assembly, critically, and because of his attitude of frustration, he hit the rock.

God rebuked Moses but performed the miracle anyway. This error caused Moses to fail to enter the promised land. Not his best day!

A leader is judged more harshly. He must obey God in dealing with God's people. They are God's people not the leader's people. He must remember that.

God guards all that are His, He is jealous over what is His, especially His people.

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