Demonstrating Holiness (Or Not)

Moses and Aaron turned away from the people and went to the entrance of the Tabernacle, where they fell face down on the ground. Then the glorious presence of the LORD appeared to them, and the LORD said to Moses, “You and Aaron must take the staff and assemble the entire community. As the people watch, speak to the rock over there, and it will pour out its water. You will provide enough water from the rock to satisfy the whole community and their livestock.” So Moses did as he was told. He took the staff from the place where it was kept before the LORD. Then he and Aaron summoned the people to come and gather at the rock. “Listen, you rebels!” he shouted. “Must we bring you water from this rock?” Then Moses raised his hand and struck the rock twice with the staff, and water gushed out. So the entire community and their livestock drank their fill. But the LORD said to Moses and Aaron, “Because you did not trust me enough to demonstrate my holiness to the people of Israel, you will not lead them into the land I am giving them!” This place was known as the waters of Meribah (which means “arguing”) because there the people of Israel argued with the LORD, and there he demonstrated his holiness among them. [Numbers 20.6-13]

I firmly believe there is more to this story than was recorded. There are certainly details that we do not have that would surely clear it up some.

Aaron was with Moses. However, Aaron was not holding the staff and therefore did not strike the rock. It was Moses who is said to have held up the staff and struck the rock and yet Aaron suffered the same punishment as Moses.

Did Aaron tell Moses to strike the rock? Were perhaps Moses and Aaron holding the staff together? Or, was Aaron guilty just because he was there with Moses? We have no idea from the context of the scripture.

What we do know however is that neither Moses nor Aaron entered the Promised Land. And, it was because of this incident.

I have another thought... in looking over the passage again, it occurred to me that God scolded Moses and Aaron because they did not trust Him enough to demonstrate His holiness to the people... What does that have to do with striking a rock?

I don't know if it has significance or not, but I see also that Moses and Aaron did not say, "Must God bring you water from this rock" Instead, they said, "Must WE bring you water from this rock?"

Father, help me to have clear insight into what went terribly wrong for Moses and Aaron at Meribah. Help me to understand the importance of my life demonstrating Your holiness!