6And Moses and Aaron went from the presence of the assembly unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, and they fell upon their faces: and the glory of the LORD appeared unto them. 7And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, 8Take the rod, and gather thou the assembly together, thou, and Aaron thy brother, and speak ye unto the rock before their eyes; and it shall give forth his water, and thou shalt bring forth to them water out of the rock: so thou shalt give the congregation and their beasts drink. 9And Moses took the rod from before the LORD, as he commanded him. 10And Moses and Aaron gathered the congregation together before the rock, and he said unto them, Hear now, ye rebels; must we fetch you water out of this rock? 11And Moses lifted up his hand, and with his rod he smote the rock twice: and the water came out abundantly, and the congregation drank, and their beasts also (Numbers 20: 6-11).
I find the book of Numbers one of the most difficult books within all of scripture to understand. The book chronicles a period in Israel's history in which Israel is complaining about their circumstances and the ability of Moses and Aaron to lead the people. The story of Korah's rebellion is documented in Numbers, and there are many passages in which the anger of the Lord is displayed. This calls for reflection on our part, and it speaks to the idea of the Creator as sovereign and holy. We should not miss this, the Creation is the Lord's, and we should subject ourselves to Him, and not try and subject the Lord to our will. Numbers 20: 6-11 shows how God is sovereign over all of Creation: He makes water flow from a rock in order to provide, and this is often so, even when we are less than obedient. Our Creator is sovereign and holy, and He provides for us. Our response must be one of gratitude and worship. Please worship the Creator that makes water flow out of a rock, it is living water.
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