In Deuteronomy 3:23-25, we see that God forbade Moses to enter the promised land and we find him begging God to let him go in:
“At that time I pleaded with the LORD and said, ‘O Sovereign LORD, you have only begun to show your greatness and the strength of your hand to me, your servant. Is there any god in heaven or on earth who can perform such great and mighty deeds as you do? Please let me cross the Jordan to see this wonderful land on the other side, the beautiful hill country and the Lebanon mountains.’”
Moses knew God was angry with him, but the LORD did tell him to go to Pisgah Peak, and “look over the land in every direction. Take a good look, but you may not cross the Jordan River.”
Moses had been disobedient at Meribah and God rebuked him saying (Numbers 20:12) “Therefore, you shall not bring this congregation into the land which I have given them.”
Disobedience can be costly in any situation, especially when we disobey God.
Moses had an anger problem. They had come to Kadesh, and we were told there was no water for the people, so they rebelled against Moses and Aaron. They blamed Moses and said he had brought them into the wilderness to die. Moses and Aaron went to the Tabernacle to wait on the LORD. His glorious presence appeared to them, and He told Moses to call all the people together and “speak to the rock.” God promised that water would gush out. Instead of doing as God said, Moses frustrated and angry, took his staff and struck the rock twice.
Folks, I want to say again —
Disobedience in any situation can be very costly, especially with God.
The name “Meribah” means “arguing.” Perhaps God has instructed you to do something, and you decided to do it your way — not His. Today, filled with regret you can only imagine how you would have been blessed if you had done it His way.
But the story has an amazing ending. Moses did not only see but stand on the 9200-foot snow-capped Mount Hermon. In Matthew 17:1-3 we read “Six days later Jesus took Peter, and the two brothers, James and John, and led them up a high mountain to be alone. As the men watched, Jesus’ appearance was transformed so His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as light. Suddenly, Moses and Elijah appeared and began talking with Jesus.”
In Luke 9:30-31 we catch another glimpse of this event. “Suddenly two men, Moses, and Elijah, appeared and began talking with Jesus. They were glorious to see. And they were speaking about His exodus from this world, which was about to be fulfilled in Jerusalem.”
Our God is so gracious, compassionate, and merciful. At a historic moment in His life and ministry, Jesus allowed Moses and Elijah to appear with Him in the promised land. God answered his prayer, and He began to show Moses the greatness of His love, as Christ prepared to die for his (Moses’s) salvation and ours. Folks, obedience will always see the favor of God.
Keep climbing!
By God’s grace,
Pastor Leonard
