Numbers 20:7
And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
Original Language Analysis
וַיְדַבֵּ֥ר
spake
H1696
וַיְדַבֵּ֥ר
spake
Strong's:
H1696
Word #:
1 of 5
perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
יְהוָ֖ה
And the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֖ה
And the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
2 of 5
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
Historical Context
This incident occurred near Kadesh at the end of forty years' wandering, bookending the wilderness period. The generation that failed to enter Canaan was nearly gone; Moses himself would soon be excluded for this failure. Even great leaders must maintain precise obedience to God's specific commands.
Questions for Reflection
- How do you distinguish between legitimate repetition of past obedience and assumption that God's methods never change?
- What 'second chances' has God given you that required modified obedience?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
God instructs Moses to 'speak ye unto the rock' to bring forth water. The command to speak rather than strike (as at Rephidim, Exodus 17:6) represented a new directive requiring fresh obedience. Moses' subsequent striking of the rock instead of speaking to it (verse 11) violated this command, resulting in his exclusion from Canaan. Second-time obedience must match current instructions, not merely repeat past patterns.