Bible Truth FAQs

MOSES SINNED?

Perhaps there is no more prominent character in Old Testament history than Moses, the Lord's servant through whom God's chosen people were delivered from Egyptian bondage and God's first written law was given to the Israelite nation. Yet in his greatness he sinned and was not permitted to enter into the land of Canaan, the land promised to Abraham and his descendants.

In Numbers 20 the account is given of rebellious Israel gathering against Moses and Aaron because there was no water to drink. Verse 8 reveals God's instructions to Moses, verses 9-11 tell of Moses' actions, and verse 12 shows God's displeasure at Moses' disobedience and failure to sanctify the Lord in the eyes of the children of Israel.

The specific act of disobedience was in smiting the rock instead of speaking to it as commanded. On a previous similar occasion (Ex. 17:6) God's instruction was to smite the rock. In this later instance Moses seemed to covet glory for himself instead of glorifying and sanctifying God in the presence of Israel.

Anyone, no matter how great or small, may miss the promised land by disobeying God.

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