06/25/2024
God, Misrepresented
Moses is a great man of God. He made mistakes, sure, but he also faced down the Pharaoh, led the Exodus, received the 10 Commandments, and much more. So then, why was Moses barred from entering the Promise Land? What was his sin? The answer is really important as we deal with our own hearts and the messages that come at us as Christians.
Moses could not enter into the Promise Land because he made his position as God's leader about him rather than God. As a result, Moses misrepresented God to the people and depicted God in his own angry, self righteous, frustrated image. That is not the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
Moses error took place at Meribah, after the Israelites complained to Moses about the lack of water. God responded and told Moses to speak to the rock and it will give water. God is providing for His people and showing them mercy and grace. There is no indication of anger from God. Yet, when Moses takes God's message to the people, his own attitude comes through clearly:
“Hear now, you rebels! Must we bring water for you out of this rock?” 11 Then Moses lifted his hand and struck the rock twice with his rod; and water came out abundantly, and the congregation and their animals drank. Numbers 20
Moses' frustration, Moses' anger, Moses' feelings of being burdened by the people...all these and more come through as he speaks in God's name. Moses' subtle subtle self promotion is also present, "must we" is quite the claim. It was this moment that caused Moses to lead the people to the border of Israel, but never go in himself.
Why is this so important?
We all face the same temptation as Moses as we seek to follow God and present Him to those around us - both inside and outside the church. It is so easy to allow our own feelings about the real sins and injustices we see color our expressions of God heart. It is also tempting to seek out messages that reinforce these feelings. It can seem righteous to join in with the scornful, mockers, and self righteous, even though Jesus refused to do so. He made Himself and His heart toward all people clear when He died on the Cross for His enemies:
For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. John 3:16
But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8
Love took Jesus to the Cross and kept Him there, even as His people mocked Him. That love doesn't change, no matter how we feel about it and is offered freely by God, even those who flee to the deepest desert to run from God's calling, like Moses did. Moses had to lose sight of God's great mercy and grace in calling him in order to present God in this way. Pray that we never do the same.
PS - Moses' story in relation to Israel doesn't end with this moment. When Jesus is Transfigured on the mountain, who does God send to be with Jesus, the revealed Messiah? I suspect that Moses was quite satisfied with his ultimate arrival in Israel.
