Numbers chapter 20 gives us the account of a very difficult year for Moses. It begins with the death of his sister, Miriam. Verse 2 through 5 records the rebirth of criticism over his leadership. Verses 6-11 tell us of Moses’ most serious personal failure. He strikes the rock rather than speaks to it as God directed him. If the failure itself wasn’t enough, he is harshly disciplined by God in verses 12-13. He forfeits the privilege of entering the Promised Land with his people. Verses 14 to 21 tell us how his relatives, the Edomites, reject the request for safe passage on their arduous journey. And the chapter finally ends with the death of Moses’ brother Aaron.
The remarkable thing is what verse 27 says; “Moses did all that the Lord commanded.” This is the lesson God wants us all to learn. Regardless of our life situation, the hardships, struggles, and pains of life, He wants us to hang in there. Job said, “Though he slay me, yet will I trust in Him.” That’s where God wants us all to be.
We must learn to respond to God’s sovereignty in our lives in the exact same way that Job and Moses do. Job said, “Naked came I into the world, naked from it I will go.” “The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away, blessed be the name of the Lord.”