Law vs. Grace / Trust in the Word
Moses’ times were marked by “The Law.” In particular, we see in our lesson today the challenge of the law. Moses was a humble and faithful servant. At this point in the scriptures he is probably well over 100 years old. He has not been perfect, but he has been faithful in his God-appointed task of bringing the Israelites up out of Egypt and into the promised land. But, he will now not be going into the promised land himself. There is no gray-area in “the law”, there is either obedience or disobedience, adherence or rejection. Moses disobeyed. He did not honor God as holy. Under the law, he was inadequate. In tomorrow’s lesson, though, we also see God’s grace.
How often in my own life do I put my trust in something tangible over the sufficiency of the Word of God? I can feel more comfortable and more secure with something I can touch or hold. I’m often shaped more by the words of Theodore Roosevelt to “speak softly and carry a big stick”, putting my faith more in the stick than the speech. But the scriptures teach the opposite. By far, the Word of God is more powerful than any stick. “For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” – Heb 4:12
God, please give me the ears to hear the power of your word and the voice to speak it boldly!
My Answers:
6.
a.
Take the staff, speak to the rock in front of them and it will pour out its water
b.
took the staff, gathered the people, spoke to the people (chastising them – taking credit “must we”), struck the rock twice with his staff
7.
a.
took credit, disobeyed, put trust in the staff instead of in God – they wanted something physical, not just verbal
b.
physical connection with the rock instead of verbal – taking credit
c.
when I live in doubt and worry about a situation
8.
a.
“you will not bring this community into the land I give them”
b.
1. of anyone, they knew better, 2. They each had interceded repeatedly, the fact that neither objected or interceded shows they did not see it as unmerited, 3. They already knew they weren’t going in (God had already said only Joshua and Caleb – Ex 14:30)
The Notes are Good 