July 09, 2023

The Waters of Meribah

29 minutes

Introduction

Numbers 20:1-13

Review: Moses

Exodus 1:15-2:4

Exodus 2:5-6

Exodus 2:11-15; Acts 7:23

Acts 7:30-36

Exodus 31:18; 34:27-28

Deuteronomy 34:7

Matthew 17:1-8

Previously on…

God delivers the Israelites from Egyptian bondage (Exodus 1-14)

God provides manna and water from a rock (Exodus 16-17)

Moses receives the law at Mr. Sinai and the people worship an idol (Exodus 19-32)

Spies sent into Canaan and the people rebel (Numbers 13-14)

God pronounces judgment on the Israelites – death and wilderness wandering

Numbers 20:1 – Miriam dies

People’s behavior affects us

Numbers 20:2-5

Recall that Moses is called “very meek” (Numbers 12:3)

Notice some interactions between God and Moses:

Exodus 33:17

Numbers 14:20

Deuteronomy 34:10

But even he was not immune to the effects of other people’s behavior.

Moses behaved admirably on several occasions when he faced difficult circumstances.

Exodus 17:4

Numbers 12:13

Exodus 32:11-14; Numbers 14:13-19

Consider how Jesus behaved when He was mistreated (Matthew 27:24-50).

Moses is not alone in being influenced by others’ bad behavior.

Galatians 2:11-14

III John 1:9-11

Moses’ anger problem

Exodus 2:11-13

Exodus 11:8

Exodus 32:19

Psalms 106:32-33; 78:38-41

Galatians 5:20

How we react, when mistreated, must be governed by God’s word.

Matthew 5:11-12

II Timothy 2:24-25

Partial obedience isn’t enough

Numbers 20:9-11

Exodus 17:1-7

The difference between the last time God commanded Moses to provide water and this time is one word: “strike” vs. “tell”

When Got issues a command or authorizes a work, it must be done fully and completely.

Partial obedience = rebellion

Sin has consequences

Numbers 20:12, 24

Moses asks God to reconsider his punishment.

Deuteronomy 3:26

Deuteronomy 32:48-52

This moment of rash behavior at Meribah was a short one in light of Moses’ long life, but it had a lasting impact.

Sin’s earthly consequences may be short-lived or permanent.

Sin’s spiritual consequences may be short-lived or permanent.

Romans 6:23; James 1:15

II Corinthians 7:10-11 – One who fears the earthly consequences of sin more than spiritual consequences will never be saved.

Conclusion

Moses, like us, was not immune to temptation.

His actions at Meribah remind us that …

Others’ behavior affects us

Partial obedience is unacceptable

Sin has lasting consequences

But, thanks to God, we can respond appropriately to negative behavior, please God with our service, and avoid eternal condemnation!

...more

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By Mark Watson

55 ratings

July 09, 2023

The Waters of Meribah

29 minutes

Introduction

Numbers 20:1-13

Review: Moses

Exodus 1:15-2:4

Exodus 2:5-6

Exodus 2:11-15; Acts 7:23

Acts 7:30-36

Exodus 31:18; 34:27-28

Deuteronomy 34:7

Matthew 17:1-8

Previously on…

God delivers the Israelites from Egyptian bondage (Exodus 1-14)

God provides manna and water from a rock (Exodus 16-17)

Moses receives the law at Mr. Sinai and the people worship an idol (Exodus 19-32)

Spies sent into Canaan and the people rebel (Numbers 13-14)

God pronounces judgment on the Israelites – death and wilderness wandering

Numbers 20:1 – Miriam dies

People’s behavior affects us

Numbers 20:2-5

Recall that Moses is called “very meek” (Numbers 12:3)

Notice some interactions between God and Moses:

Exodus 33:17

Numbers 14:20

Deuteronomy 34:10

But even he was not immune to the effects of other people’s behavior.

Moses behaved admirably on several occasions when he faced difficult circumstances.

Exodus 17:4

Numbers 12:13

Exodus 32:11-14; Numbers 14:13-19

Consider how Jesus behaved when He was mistreated (Matthew 27:24-50).

Moses is not alone in being influenced by others’ bad behavior.

Galatians 2:11-14

III John 1:9-11

Moses’ anger problem

Exodus 2:11-13

Exodus 11:8

Exodus 32:19

Psalms 106:32-33; 78:38-41

Galatians 5:20

How we react, when mistreated, must be governed by God’s word.

Matthew 5:11-12

II Timothy 2:24-25

Partial obedience isn’t enough

Numbers 20:9-11

Exodus 17:1-7

The difference between the last time God commanded Moses to provide water and this time is one word: “strike” vs. “tell”

When Got issues a command or authorizes a work, it must be done fully and completely.

Partial obedience = rebellion

Sin has consequences

Numbers 20:12, 24

Moses asks God to reconsider his punishment.

Deuteronomy 3:26

Deuteronomy 32:48-52

This moment of rash behavior at Meribah was a short one in light of Moses’ long life, but it had a lasting impact.

Sin’s earthly consequences may be short-lived or permanent.

Sin’s spiritual consequences may be short-lived or permanent.

Romans 6:23; James 1:15

II Corinthians 7:10-11 – One who fears the earthly consequences of sin more than spiritual consequences will never be saved.

Conclusion

Moses, like us, was not immune to temptation.

His actions at Meribah remind us that …

Others’ behavior affects us

Partial obedience is unacceptable

Sin has lasting consequences

But, thanks to God, we can respond appropriately to negative behavior, please God with our service, and avoid eternal condemnation!

...more

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The Waters of Meribah

The Waters of Meribah