1 In the first month the whole Israelite community arrived at the Desert of Zin, and they stayed at Kadesh. There Miriam died and was buried. 2 Now there was no water for the community, and the people gathered in opposition to Moses and Aaron. 3 They quarreled with Moses and said, "If only we had died when our brothers fell dead before the Lord! - P46
4 Why did you bring the Lord’s community into this wilderness, that we and our livestock should die here? 5 Why did you bring us up out of Egypt to this terrible place? It has no grain or figs, grapevines or pomegranates. And there is no water to drink!" - P46
6 Moses and Aaron went from the assembly to the entrance to the tent of meeting and fell facedown, and the glory of the Lord appeared to them. - P46
7The Lord said to Moses,
8"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."
9So Moses took the staff from the Lord’s presence, just as he commanded him.
10He 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?"
11Then Moses raised his arm and struck the rock twice with his staff. Water gushed out, and the community and their livestock drank.
- P47
12But the Lord said to Moses and Aaron, "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." - P47
Because they face a lack of water, the Israelites go to Moses and Aaron to complain. In a previous instance when Israel had no water, Moses had struck a rock, and water came out. However, this time, God commands Moses to speak to a rock. Instead of obeying these instructions, - P48
Moses strikes the rock twice. This detail may seem insignificant to some of us, especially since striking the rock works and water gushes out. Yet, Moses disobeys God’s command, displaying his lack of faith. - P48
Consequently, Moses loses the privilege of entering into the promised land. - P48
Let us not allow our doubts to lead us into disobedience. May we continue to honor and trust God as the rock of our salvation. - P48
Dear God, You are my Rock and my Redeemer. From You flows living water. When I am tempted to doubt and disbelieve, help me to remember Your trustworthiness and love for me. In Jesus’ name, amen. - P49
Moses sends messengers to the king of Edom, requesting passage throughtheir land. He promises Israel will stay on the main road, avoiding fields andvineyards, and that they will pay for any water used. - P51
Edom refuses, threateningwar and deploying a large army. Israel turns away. - P51
I did not have the privilege of meeting my great-grandmother, but I haveheard impressive stories that reveal much about her character. She wasa farmer‘s wife in a small rural community in South Korea, but she wasknown as the consummate hostess. She was the first in her area to pur-chase a television, and for many weeks, the whole town would come to herhome every night to watch the black-and-white programming together. Whenever traveling peddlers would come through the community to selltheir products, they would always be invited to her home for a meal and aplace to sleep. They would not even need to ask, as Moses did to the kingof Edom, for permission to pass through with a promise not to take advan-of any resources. My great-grandmother would freely offer whatevershe could give. - P53
In much of the modern world, people often keep to themselves, focusing ontheir own work, family, and personal challenges with indifference towardthose around them. They often do not know their next-door neighbors, letalone those who pass through their communities. I myself have been guiltyof such behavior. However, I aim to be more like the woman with whomI share a genetic lineage. I want to model her sense of hospitality, showinglove and care not only to my friends and family, but also to those in myneighborhood and those I have only just met. - P53
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