In Numbers 20, we are reminded that one can do the Lord’s work and still be accused of self-serving motives in their doing of it. This is what happened to Moses and Aaron as the children of Israel were on the cusp of entering into the land of promise, having traveled a long journey from Egypt to what we know is the land of Palestine today. Moses and Aaron responded to the murmuring going on with a segment of the Israelite community, but their response was not received well by the Lord. Already, the Lord was displeased with the larger community, but now His displeasure rested on the actions of Moses and Aaron.

In this scenario (Numbers 20:1-13), there is a lesson for us. I suppose there is not a single reader of the Old Testament story that can’t relate in one way or another with Moses/Aaron, but whether one can relate or not, the proper response (lesson) is not to allow the one’s anger and emotion to control, but for the Lord to control. Not easy, but necessary. RT