Tag: Lack of Faith Causes Thirsty Times - Numbers 18-20

Numbers 20:2-5

The Waters of Meribah

Now there was no water for the congregation. And they assembled themselves together against Moses and against Aaron. And the people quarreled with Moses and said, “Would that we had perished when our brothers perished before the Lord! Why have you brought the assembly of the Lord into this wilderness, that we should die here, both we and our cattle? And why have you made us come up out of Egypt to bring us to this evil place? It is no place for grain or figs or vines or pomegranates, and there is no water to drink.”

Tag:  Our Own Lack of Faith Causes Thirst

In the above passage the nation of Israel was complaining to Moses and Aaron that they had no water to drink.  They were in the desert and that makes water scarce.   Most of us, left in a desert, would have the same complaint.   The nation should not be condemned for being thirsty in a desert.  The body needs water to survive.  So, the nation was very much concerned about their children and their cattle.   

However, we should ask the question, “Why were they in the desert to begin with? Where should they be right now?”   As we have traced the travels of the nation we must recall they they were SUPPOSED to be in the promise land by now.  They were SUPPOSED to be in a land that flowed with “milk and honey.”    They were not to be in the desert.   God gave them all they needed up to this point and led them right to the promise land.  But, based upon the word of ten spies, they allowed their fear to conquer their faith and direct their fate.   

The nation of Israel is now complaining that they lacked the basic essentials of life (water) because they refused to follow God in faith.   They lack of faith put them were they are right now.    Yet, despite all this, God will provide water to them.  Despite their lack of faith and their complaining about their circumstances, caused by their lack of faith, God would still bless them.   

This is what is amazing about God.  Despite our lack of faith and our sinful disobedience, God still opens up a rock in the wilderness and sends them water:

Numbers 20:11

And Moses lifted up his hand and struck the rock with his staff twice, and water came out abundantly, and the congregation drank, and their livestock.

God always provides.  But, our own lack of faith puts us in these places.  Before we complain to God about our situation, we might want to reach out to Him in faith.  He will, despite our lack of faith, provide water in our desert place.