The violet and indigo of the mountains of Moab formed a rich backdrop to the scene unfolding at their feet. Stretched as far as one could see across the plains of Beth-peor on the east of Jordan were the hosts of Israel. The excitement was mounting. Soon they would be crossing into the new land that Jehovah had provided for them. All but one man.
He stood on a promontory gazing over the people he loved–the people for whom he had laid down his life, one day at a time, for the last forty years. He had led them, cajoled them, pled with them, interceded for them, had been willing to die for them. If they loved him in return, they had kept the fact well hidden.
Now he must leave them. He had one last appointment with God on the heights of Pisgah. This time it was to attend his own funeral. The question must be raised: why, after all he had sacrificed for this expedition, why could he not lead these people into Canaan?
It had to do with the Rock.
The story is as familiar as it is sad. We recall the lack of water, the people complaining, and Moses’ rash response in smiting the rock instead of speaking to it. Lest we are too hard on Moses regarding this incident, we should remember the gracious words of the Lord quoted in Psalm 106:33, placing the blame for initiating the tragedy on the people: “They provoked his spirit…” Nonetheless, Jehovah would not relent, even when His otherwise faithful servant pled with Him (see Deut. 4:21).
What made it so serious?
First, he was representing God to the people. He was acting for the Lord–but was that the way the longsuffering Lord would act? How patient He had been with His people. In the same way, we are reminded that we represent our Lord to the world or to the assembly (1 Tim. 6:1; 1 Pet. 4:10-11). Do men see my good works and glorify my Father in heaven?
Second, Moses was ministering to the people of God. It was true they were “rebels,” but is that any way for an advocate, an intercessor, to speak? See the words of the Lord Jesus toward His own in John 17. Do you recognize the Sons of Thunder there? Or Simon who would that very night deny Him? Or Thomas who would not believe? The ministry of advocacy has many openings today. Who will take up the task of speaking well of the Lord’s people? We can take our cue from Moses pleading Israel’s cause on Sinai (Ex. 32:11-13). They are “Thy people” delivered by “Thy…power.” Whatever else the people of God are, they are blood-bought and loved above.
Third, Moses was illustrating the ministry of Christ. The Rock needed smiting for us only once. Now it is sufficient to speak to Him to receive the blessing. How solemn it is today to see Christians demeaning the value of those very pictures that portray the hard-won blessings we have been given: baptism, speaking of our identification with Christ in His death, burial, and resurrection; the Lord’s Supper, with the eloquent symbols of His body and blood given for us; the covered and uncovered head, a silent testimony to the glory of God and the headship of Christ in the assembly.
But Moses’ failure was past now. It was time to say good-bye. He did it by singing them his hundred-and-twentieth birthday song. And what was its theme?
It had to do with the Rock.
“He is the Rock, His work is perfect: for all His ways are judgment…But…[Israel] forsook God which made him, and lightly esteemed the Rock of his salvation…Of the Rock that begat thee thou art unmindful…How should one chase a thousand, and two put ten thousand to flight, except their Rock had sold them…? For their rock is not as our Rock”! (Deut. 32).
Was that the end of the story? Moses disappearing in the mists of Nebo’s summit? Hardly.
Fourteen centuries later, he made it in! Not as he had planned, but on another mount in glory, right beside the Rock Himself and spoke with Him of the smiting soon to come. God would not forget Moses’ estimation of the reproach of Christ, nor the respect he had for the recompense of the reward (Heb. 11:26).
Immediately following the Transfiguration, the Lord revealed to His disciples that the gates of hell would do their worst to destroy them. But heaven would prevail. The Church would be built right on schedule. And what was the secret? It had to do with the Rock. Even when you hit rock bottom, you still have the Rock.