Sacred Rod- Numbers 20:1-13

Posted on October 9, 2025 by Steve

But the Lord said to Moses and Aaron, “Because you did not trust me to demonstrate my holiness in the sight of the Israelites, you will not bring this assembly into the land I have given them.”These are the Waters of Meribah, where the Israelites quarreled with the Lord, and he demonstrated his holiness to them (Numbers 20:12-13 CSB).

In Numbers 20 the Israelites were nearing the end of their 40-year wilderness wandering. They encamped near the southern border of the land of Canaan at Kadesh, the same place they encamped when they sent the spies in to reconnoiter the Promised Land 40 years earlier.

Due to the scarcity of water, the Israelites assembled against Moses and protested their return to Kadesh: “Why have you led us up from Egypt to bring us to this evil place?” (vs. 5).

Faced with escalating tensions over the water shortage, Moses and Aaron hurried away from the agitated crowd and took refuge in the tent of meeting (tabernacle). Inside the tabernacle they fell face down to intercede before the Lord on behalf of the people.

In response to Moses’ and Aaron’s intercession, the glory of God appeared to them. God told them to take the staff from the tent of meeting, assemble the people at the rock (probably rock face of the side of a hill or mountain). Then, speak to the rock while the people watch and the rock will yield its water (vs. 7-8).

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The Cosmic Struggle – Genesis 32:24-32

Posted on August 14, 2024 by Steve

Originally published on August 21, 2013.

“Your name will no longer be Jacob,” he said. “It will be Israel because you have struggled with God and with men and have prevailed.” (Genesis 32:28, CSB).

After twenty years of separation, Jacob attempted to reconcile with his estranged brother, Esau, whom Jacob had tricked into giving up his birth right to him.

Fearing that his encounter with Esau may be a hostile one, Jacob appropriated from his flocks a considerable gift to assuage any revenge Esau might want to take on Jacob and his family. Then, Jacob sent his gift ahead with some of his servants to meet Esau first while Jacob and his immediate family remained behind.

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Wrath Versus Mercy – Romans 9:22-24

Posted on August 20, 2013 by Steve

“And what if God, desiring to display His wrath and to make His power known, endured with much patience objects of wrath ready for destruction. And what if He did this to make known the riches of His glory on objects of mercy, that he prepared beforehand for glory–on us, the ones He also called, not only from the Jews but also from the Gentiles?” (Romans 9:22-24, HCSB).

These verses do not mean that God desires to show His wrath on those who deserve it. Rather, they mean that God desires to show His mercy by saving those who deserve His wrath. And, God can best show His love by having mercy on those who deserve His wrath.

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Between the Dead and the Living – Numbers 16:47-48

Posted on May 5, 2013 by Steve

“But Aaron burned the incense and purified the people. He stood between the dead and the living, and the plague stopped.” (Numbers 16:47-48, NLT)

Numbers 16 is the record of yet another rebellion by the Israelites against Moses’ leadership and God’s authority.

This rebellion seemed to be a power struggle that was a more egregious challenge to God’s authority than any of the previous rebellions. This rebellion was led by certain Levites who had some of the most important duties related to the upkeep of the Tabernacle.

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