There's Always Another Risk

The consequences of failed faithfulness

One of the burdens Moses had to carry throughout the Exodus was the grumbling of the people he was leading. Every step along the way God asks Moses to continue putting his faith in God to provide for the Israelites. After being miraculously rescued by God at the Red Sea, the Israelites complain to Moses about having nothing to drink (Exodus 15:24). So, Moses must depend on God for water from a rock. Then they complain about having nothing to eat (Exodus 16:2–3). So, Moses has to depend on bread from the sky. Then they complain about not having any meat (Numbers 11:18-20). Then they complain about not having anything to drink again (Exodus 17:1-7). Then, when Moses is gone longer than they wanted on Mount Sinai, they ask Aaron to create an idol to replace God (Exodus 32). And when they finally do get to the promised land and see the giants who live there they would rather kill Moses and return to Egypt (Numbers 14:1-4).

Time and time again God asks Moses to take risks and it seems all Moses received in return were opportunities to take more and more risks. Finally, when the Israelites ran out of water a third time, Moses had had enough. Again they came to him saying “Would that we had perished when our brothers perished before the LORD! Why have you brought the assembly of the LORD into this wilderness, that we should die here, both we and our cattle? And why have you made us come up out of Egypt to bring us to this evil place? It is no place for grain or figs or vines or pomegranates, and there is no water to drink.” (Numbers 20:3-6).

As he had done so many times before Moses asks God what to do and is given clear instructions. “Take the staff, and assemble the congregation, you and Aaron your brother, and tell the rock before their eyes to yield its water. So you shall bring water out of the rock for them and give drink to the congregation and their cattle.” (Numbers 20:8)

But Moses didn’t want to take that risk. He was tired of being doubted by the Israelites. He was tired of the hassle, the death threats, the constant complaining and lack of gratitude. So, instead of obeying God, he told the Israelites “Hear now, you rebels: shall we bring water for you out of this rock?” 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.” (Numbers 20:10-11)

This sin seems so minor you may even miss what Moses did wrong, but God’s judgment was swift. “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.” (Numbers 20:13) Because Moses struck the rock instead of speaking to it, God would not allow him to lead the Israelites into the promised land.

The Christian life isn’t a game where you can run up the score and then coast by running down the clock. Moses knew what risk God wanted him to take, and when he refused to take it, God punished him for his lack of faith. I have to admit, I always thought God was too harsh on Moses. After all those decades of faithful service, was it really fair that Moses would never enter the promised land? Then, a mentor pointed out something beautiful. Moses eventually did get to enter the promised land.

“And after six days Jesus took with him Peter and James, and John his brother, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became white as light. And behold, there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him.” (Matthew 17:1-3)

Sometimes it can feel like running the race of the Christian life never ends. Like you have hurdles to jump that others don’t, or people try to trip you when you’re supposed to be on the same team. But in the end we’re running this race with a good God who wants us to finish well. The only way to keep running is to lean on Him for His power. It’s the only way that we can successfully take risks.

Shawn