But the events recorded in Numbers start one month later.     Then the LORD spoke to Moses in the wilderness of Sinai, in the tent of meeting, on the first of the second month, in the second year after they had come out of the land of Egypt. (NASB) Numbers 1:1   The book of Deuteronomy then picks up the history in the fortieth year after the exodus.     And it came about in the fortieth year, on the first day of the eleventh month, that Moses spoke to the children of Israel. (NASB) Deuteronomy 1:3   So Exodus essentially records the first year after the exodus, Numbers records the years of wanderings and Deuteronomy essentially records the last year. The book of Leviticus gives us the sacrificial laws.      Different Events. The details of the two events are also different. In the first one, God told Moses to strike the rock. In the second one, God told him to speak to the rock. The rock was a symbol of Christ (1 Corinthians 10:1-4). Figuratively speaking, Jesus had already been struck. The next time God did not want Him struck again, but to be spoken to. Another interesting fact is that Miriam was alive at the time of the exodus; but just before the second event, Miraim died (Num. 20:1). The first event occurred in the wilderness of Sin and the second occurred in the wilderness of Zin.      Tragedy Occurred. The second event was also tragic as Moses sinned and lost the right to enter the Promised Land. He sinned by becoming angry at the people, but the sin that cost him the right to enter the promised land was his lack of faithfulness. Notice God's curious statement in Numbers 20:     But the LORD said to Moses and Aaron, "Because you have not believed Me, to treat Me as holy in the sight of the sons of Israel, therefore you shall not bring this assembly into the land which I have given them." (NASB) Num. 20:12   God's comment that Moses "did not believe Me" is explained in Deuteronomy.     . . . because you broke faith with Me in the midst of the sons of Israel at the waters of Meribah-kadesh, in the wilderness of Zin . . . (NASB) Deuteronomy 32:51   The Hebrew word for "broke faith" has the idea of "unfaithful, not loyal, and deceit." He was not faithful. In a sense, God was depending on him and he "let God down." Moses' sin occurred in his heart before he hit the rock. He was unfaithful.   Conclusion: There are times in our lives when we have been unfaithful. So why did God punish Moses so severely? Because his relationship with God was like no other man's. He is described as a humble man and a great prophet. God granted him a special relationship and in return expected Moses to be faithful. What a lesson for us! God calls us to be faithful in all that we do. Let's ask God to make us faithful men and women. A special relationship with God calls for faithfulness. Let's ask the Holy Spirit to help us be faithful.         < Back
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