Lesson Thirty Five

A SAD MISTAKE

Memory Verse: John 12:32
Further Study: Numbers 20:1-21; 21:1-9; Patriarch and Prophets: pp. 406-432; The Story of Redemption, pp. 164-169; The Bible Story, vol. 3, pp. 42-57

I worked alongside a colleague for about 20 years. For the last part of those years our offices were right next door to each other. We shared the workload, used each other as sounding boards, and those days when the office was particularly a hard place to be, we encouraged each other. About 18 months ago, he retired. His position was not filled, and so I soldier on alone, now carrying most of his assignments along with my own. I miss him greatly.

The day has come for Aaron to die. Strange, in a way, that a death would be scheduled. While certainly an old man, he still had a pep in his step, a light in his eye, and the will to carry the burden he’d carried along with his brother, Moses, for the past 40 years. Together with his brother and his son, they walked the mountain path.

It must have been a solemn journey broken by a chuckle here and there. I imagine they couldn’t help but recount their days of ministry together. They’d rest here and there along the rocky trail, tell a few stories, relate another memory, and then move on. At the designated place, Aaron lays down and cradled in Moses’ arms, he falls asleep, to waken when Jesus calls his name.

I’m reminded of my mother’s passing. We were a small family of two—me and her. We’d journeyed together for my entire life with mostly the good and sometimes the bad. One Wednesday she awoke with sniffles. By Sunday, I stood by her bed in ICU, saying my last goodbyes, telling her I loved her. And then she was gone. It was not a death announced, but one that crept in quietly, quickly, and completely unexpected. I have no regrets, but one. I didn’t say, “I will miss you.” And I do. Every day.

God gives us people to walk with. Twenty years is a long time to share the daily grind of the workplace. Sixty-plus years with a parent is a blessing. But when each left, while feeling abandoned, I was not alone. Jesus is my Friend and will walk my journey with me for as long as I shall live. On Him do I lean. On Him do I trust.

Have you experienced loss? A colleague, a spouse, a parent, a pet? The pain of separation is keenly felt, but it opens us to rely on our heavenly Friend. Turn to Him today. In Him you will be renewed.

Digging Deeper 

Moses and Aaron were not to enter Canaan, because of the incident at the rock at Horeb. There are several lessons we can learn from this story, but here are two.

Their punishment seems unduly harsh until one realizes that it went beyond simply not following directions. The rock was a symbol of Christ. The waters that flowed from the rock in each place they camped was illustrative of Jesus as the source of all our needs. “As the life-giving waters flowed from the smitten rock, so from Christ, “smitten of God,” “wounded for our transgressions,” “bruised for our iniquities” (Isaiah 53:4,5), the stream of salvation flows for a lost race.” (Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 411). 

This was the second time that God would bring water forth from a rock. The first time Moses struck the rock once. The second time he was to speak to the rock. Because the rock symbolized Christ and His sacrifice for us, the rock was not to be hit a second time. To do so would be to sacrifice Him a second time. Jesus died once for all. From then on, we must only ask for our needs. By Moses striking the rock, he forever marred this life lesson God wished to teach His people.

One might wonder why then did the water flow from the rock? Moses did not do as he was instructed so it shouldn’t have worked, right? We are not dealing with a magic spell where simply saying the right incantation makes something appear. This is the living God, a God who loves His people and will provide for their needs. God would not withhold something as vital as water from His people. God often works through imperfect people. While we may think we are doing right, as Moses thought in that moment, in actuality what appears to work isn’t the way God intends it. We must draw near to God and be open to His leading and direction to achieve what He longs us to receive.

Making it Real

Moses and Aaron sinned at the rock at Horeb. Because of this they suffered the disappointment of not entering the very land they had purposed their life toward for the past 40 years. Think of a disappointment in your life, something that you had worked toward, tried to make happen, set your heart on, and for whatever reason, it was not meant to be. As you think back, how can you see God working either during that moment or since? Did God have better plans for you that you discovered after your experience?

Respond & Share

How is Jesus part of your journey when you feel most alone? Share with us in the comments!

_________

Merle Poirier writes from Silver Spring, Maryland, where she works as the operation manager for Adventist Review and Adventist World magazines as well as the designer for KidsView, a magazine for 8-12-year-olds. She enjoys spending time with her family including being the grandmother of two active little boys, who greatly enjoy Starting With Jesus.

Coming next week:
“BALAAM, THE GREEDY PROPHET”