R.L. Whiteside
On one occasion, Moses turned his confidence from God to self. The people were thirsty in their journey. God commanded Moses to assemble the people and to speak to the rock that it bring forth its water (Num. 20:8). Moses and Aaron assembled the people before the rock, but he did not speak to the rock, but to the people: “Hear now, ye rebels; must we fetch you water out of this rock?” (Num. 20:10). “Must we”—thus leaving God out of the transaction.
Then God said to Moses and Aaron, “Because ye believed me not, to sanctify me in the eyes of the children of Israel, therefore ye shall not bring this congregation into the land which I have given them” (Num 20:12). Moses had no more doubt then of the existence of God than he had any other time. Yet, God says he and Aaron did not believe in Him. They did not have sufficient confidence in God to do what He said, but followed their own way; and no man does that except through lack of faith in God.
