Speak the Rock

Speak It – Part 7

Review: The Pattern of Speaking

We Must Speak What We Believe - 2 Corinthians 4:13 (AMP)

Yet we have the same spirit of faith as he had, who wrote in Scripture, "I believed, therefore I spoke." We also believe, therefore we also speak.

The World Was Created By A Spoken Word - Hebrews 11:3 (AMP)

By faith [that is, with an inherent trust and enduring confidence in the power, wisdom and goodness of God] we understand that the worlds (universe, ages) were framed and created [formed, put in order, and equipped for their intended purpose] by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things which are visible.

We Are Created In God's Image and Likeness - Genesis 1:26-30 (AMP)

Then God said, "Let Us (Father, Son, Holy Spirit) make man in Our image, according to Our likeness [not physical, but a spiritual personality and moral likeness]; and let them have complete authority over the fish of the sea, the birds of the air, the cattle, and over the entire earth, and over everything that creeps and crawls on the earth."

Jesus Said We Can Do Greater - John 14:12 (AMP)

I assure you and most solemnly say to you, anyone who believes in Me [as Savior] will also do the things that I do; and he will do even greater things than these [in extent and outreach], because I am going to the Father.

Jesus Said to Speak to the Mountain - Matthew 21:21 (AMP)

Jesus replied to them, "I assure you and most solemnly say to you, if you have faith [personal trust and confidence in Me] and do not doubt or allow yourself to be drawn in two directions, you will not only do what was done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, 'Be taken up and thrown into the sea,' it will happen [if God wills it]."

Elijah Spoke to Clouds - 1 Kings 17:1 (AMP)

Now Elijah the Tishbite, who was of the settlers of Gilead, said to Ahab, "As the Lord, the God of Israel lives, before whom I stand, there shall be neither dew nor rain these years, except by my word."

Ezekiel Spoke to the Dry Bones and Wind - Ezekiel 37:4, 9 (AMP)

Again He said to me, "Prophesy to these bones and say to them, 'O dry bones, hear the word of the Lord.'" Then He said to me, "Prophesy to the breath, son of man, and say to the breath, 'Thus says the Lord God, "Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe on these slain, that they may live."'"

Joshua Spoke to the Sun and Moon - Joshua 10:12-13 (AMP)

Then Joshua spoke to the Lord on the day when the Lord handed over the Amorites to the sons of Israel, and Joshua said in the sight of Israel, "Sun, stand still at Gibeon, And moon, in the Valley of Aijalon." So the sun stood still, and the moon stopped, Until the nation [of Israel] took vengeance upon their enemies.

Main Text: Numbers 20:1-14

Back at Kadesh

Numbers 20:1 (AMP)

Then the Israelites, the whole congregation, came into the Wilderness of Zin in the first month [in the fortieth year after leaving Egypt]. And the people lived in Kadesh. Miriam died there and was buried there.

It had been 37 years since Israel's first scouting mission into the Promised Land. The Bible is virtually silent about those 37 years of aimless wandering. The new generation would soon be ready to enter the land. Moses, Aaron, Joshua, and Caleb were among the few who remained from those who had left Egypt. Once again they camped at Kadesh, the site of the first scouting mission, which had ended in disaster. Moses hoped the people were ready for a fresh start.

The People's Complaint

Numbers 20:2-5 (AMP)

Now there was no water for the congregation, and they gathered together against Moses and Aaron. The people contended with Moses, and said, "If only we had perished when our brothers perished [in the plague] before the Lord! Why have you brought up the assembly of the Lord into this wilderness to die here, we and our livestock? Why have you made us come up from Egypt, to bring us to this wretched place? It is not a place of grain or of figs or of vines or of pomegranates, and there is no water to drink."

The Israelites forgot that their wanderings were a result of their parents' and their own sin. They could not accept the fact that they had brought their problems upon themselves, so they blamed Moses for their condition. Often our troubles result from our own disobedience or lack of faith. We cannot blame God for the consequences we are suffering for our own sins. Until we face the reality of our responsibility, we will have little peace and will fail to grow spiritually.

Get out of the presence of people who tolerate you.

Moses and Aaron Seek the Lord

Numbers 20:6 (AMP)

Then Moses and Aaron went from the presence of the assembly to the doorway of the Tent of Meeting (tabernacle) and fell on their faces [before the Lord in prayer]. Then the glory and brilliance of the Lord appeared to them.

We must humble ourselves, pray, seek, and TURN or change direction!

2 Chronicles 7:14 (NLT)

Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land.

Humble yourself, pray, seek His face, turn from your ways.

God's Command: Speak to the Rock

Numbers 20:7-8 (AMP)

and the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, "Take the rod; and you and your brother Aaron assemble the congregation and speak to the rock in front of them, so that it will pour out its water. In this way you shall bring water for them out of the rock and let the congregation and their livestock drink [fresh water]."

What rocks should you be speaking to? A rock is just a small mountain. A rock is just some hard dirt. A rock can be cracked by water.

Moses Strikes the Rock Instead

Numbers 20:9-11 (AMP)

So Moses took the rod from before the Lord, just as He had commanded him; and Moses and Aaron gathered the assembly before the rock. Moses said to them, "Listen now, you rebels; must we bring you water out of this rock?" Then Moses raised his hand [in anger] and with his rod he struck the rock twice [instead of speaking to the rock as the Lord had commanded]. And the water poured out abundantly, and the congregation and their livestock drank [fresh water].

The Lord had told Moses to speak to the rock; however, Moses struck it—not once, but twice. God did the miracle, but Moses took credit for it when he said, "Must we bring you water from this rock?" For this he was forbidden to enter the Promised Land. By striking the rock, Moses disobeyed God's direct command and dishonored God in the presence of His people.

James 1:20 (AMP)

for the [resentful, deep-seated] anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God [that standard of behavior which He requires from us].

Zechariah 4:6 (AMP)

Then he said to me, "This [continuous supply of oil] is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel [prince of Judah], saying, 'Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit [of whom the oil is a symbol],' says the Lord of hosts."

The Consequence of Disobedience

Numbers 20:12-14 (AMP)

But the Lord said to Moses and Aaron, "Because you have not believed (trusted) Me, to treat Me as holy in the sight of the sons of Israel, you therefore shall not bring this assembly into the land which I have given them."

What was Moses' problem?

Moses' Issue: His Mouth

Exodus 4:10-13 (NLT)

But Moses pleaded with the Lord, "O Lord, I'm not very good with words. I never have been, and I'm not now, even though you have spoken to me. I get tongue-tied, and my words get tangled." Then the Lord asked Moses, "Who makes a person's mouth? Who decides whether people speak or do not speak, hear or do not hear, see or do not see? Is it not I, the Lord? Now go! I will be with you as you speak, and I will instruct you in what to say." But Moses again pleaded, "Lord, please! Send anyone else."

Moses means that he will undertake the task if God insists, but in doing so, he shut up the Divine bounty, prevented its outpour, and left Moses the ineffective speaker which he was content to be.

Exodus 4:14 (NLT)

Then the Lord became angry with Moses. "All right," he said. "What about your brother, Aaron the Levite? I know he speaks well. And look! He is on his way to meet you now. He will be delighted to see you."

God could and would have cured the defect in Moses' speech, whatever it was. Nothing is too hard for the Lord. He gives all powers—sight, and hearing, and speech included—to whom He will. He would have been "with Moses' mouth," removing all hesitation or indistinctness. God will not equip without empowering.

Stop telling God what you can't do. Whatever his inability, God could work through it.

My Bible says "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." My Bible says "eyes have not seen, ears have not heard." My Bible says "Now unto Him who is able." My Bible says "No good thing shall He withhold from them who walk uprightly." My Bible says "Is there anything too hard for God?" My Bible says "with man it is impossible, with God all things are possible."

Matthew 21:22 (AMP)

And whatever you ask for in prayer, believing, you will receive.

God's Finishing Grace

Exodus 4:15 (AMP)

Talk to him, and put the words in his mouth. I will be with both of you as you speak, and I will instruct you both in what to do.

Matthew 10:19-20 (AMP)

But when they hand you over, do not worry about how to respond or what to say. In that hour you will be given what to say. For it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.

Luke 12:11-12 (NIV)

When you are brought before synagogues, rulers, and authorities, do not worry about how to defend yourselves or what to say. For at that time the Holy Spirit will teach you what you should say.

Luke 21:14-15 (NIV)

So make up your mind not to worry beforehand how to defend yourselves. For I will give you speech and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict.

Exodus 4:16 (NLT)

Aaron will be your spokesman to the people. He will be your mouthpiece, and you will stand in the place of God for him, telling him what to say.

What you thought would be your help turned into your hurt.

When Help Becomes Hurt

Numbers 12:1-10 (AMP)

Now Miriam and Aaron spoke against Moses because of the Cushite woman whom he had married (for he had married a Cushite woman); and they said, "Has the Lord really spoken only through Moses? Has He not spoken also through us?" And the Lord heard it. (Now the man Moses was very humble (gentle, kind, devoid of self-righteousness), more than any man who was on the face of the earth.) Suddenly the Lord said to Moses, Aaron, and Miriam, "Come out, you three, to the Tent of Meeting (tabernacle)." And the three of them came out. The Lord came down in a pillar of cloud and stood at the doorway of the tabernacle, and He called Aaron and Miriam, and they came forward. And He said, "Hear now My words: If there is a prophet among you, I the Lord will make Myself known to him in a vision And I will speak to him in a dream. But it is not so with My servant Moses; He is entrusted and faithful in all My house. With him I speak mouth to mouth [directly], Clearly and openly and not in riddles; And he beholds the form of the Lord. Why then were you not afraid to speak against My servant Moses?" And the anger of the Lord was kindled against Miriam and Aaron, and He departed. But when the cloud had withdrawn from over the tent, behold, Miriam was leprous, as white as snow. And Aaron turned and looked at Miriam, and, behold, she was leprous.

Discussion Questions

1. Speak, don't strike: God told Moses to speak to the rock, but Moses struck it instead. What "rocks" in your life is God asking you to speak to rather than fight against in your own strength? How does trying to force solutions in anger differ from speaking God's Word in faith?
2. Taking responsibility: The Israelites blamed Moses for consequences of their own sin. Where in your life are you blaming others (or God) for problems that are actually the result of your own choices? What would taking full responsibility look like?
3. Moses' unresolved issue: Moses never dealt with his insecurity about speaking, and it ultimately cost him entry into the Promised Land. What unresolved issue or insecurity are you allowing to persist that could limit what God wants to do through you? What would it look like to finally surrender that weakness to God?
4. Stop telling God what you can't do: The message emphasizes that we need to stop telling God our limitations. What "I can't" statements do you regularly make that contradict what God's Word says about you? How can you replace those with declarations of what God says He can do through you?
5. When help becomes hurt: Aaron was supposed to be Moses' help, but eventually became part of the problem. Who or what in your life started as a help but has now become a hindrance to your obedience to God? What difficult decision might God be calling you to make to protect your relationship with Him?