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“Moses bowed to the ground at once and worshiped. ‘O Lord, if I have
found favor in your eyes,’ he said, ‘then let the Lord go with us. Although
this is a stiff-necked people, forgive our wickedness and our sin, and take us
as your inheritance.’ Then the L
ORD
said: ‘I am making a covenant with
you. Before all your people I will do wonders never before done in any
nation in all the world. The people you live among will see how awesome is
the work that I, the L
ORD
, will do for you.’”
(Exodus 34:1-10)
Their fears and lack of trust were proven false each step along the way.
When bread was not available, God sent Manna [which means, “what is
it?”]. This bread from heaven is a very profound significance to nourish
both the physical and spiritual. After they had bread, they demanded meat,
so quail was provided. They lacked water, and water came forth from a
rock. Seldom satisfied, they continually asked for more, complaining and
doubting each step along the way. Insatiable selfishness and greed were
obvious and never seemed to end; this has held true even unto today.
Israel [chosen of God] wandered for forty years, and the disobedient died
before the offspring [seed] were permitted to enter the Promised Land and
be delivered as intended. The trials of justice are usually seen as injustice,
but humanity always brings it upon itself and blames everything else, even
God. Those who misunderstood [sinned] acted accordingly, requiring
purification. Justice was enacted, so individuals could never enter the
Promised Land. Only the children who were obedient were delivered—this
is justice. Their parents died in the desert because of their wrong choices;
however, purification was the result for those who completed the journey.
Moses grew tired of continually instructing the people, asking them to trust
God. Frustrated, Moses in anger struck the rock twice even though God
said to speak to the rock. He does not tell him to strike it, but Moses does
so instead of speaking.
(Numbers 20: 8-12)
Moses allowed the people to raise
anger in him, and he paid the price. After having stood in God’s presence,
he fell to imperfection and did not enter the Promised Land. Moses and
Israel’s [the Hebrews] journey at this time emphasized the need for
deliverance from evil. Departing from Egypt, deliverance was not final
because history reveals time and again mankind’s struggle. The Covenant
and the promise land were future prospects for an obedient people,
however they still remain an object of fulfillment today.
Moses did not fail. His mission on Earth is recorded as historical fact, but
the mission and purpose regarding the particulars are prophetic for today.