One of the Saddest Stories in the Bible (The Story of Moses)
Amongst many stories in the Bible, the story of Moses could be considered to be one of the saddest. “Why so?” you may ask.
Moses was called by the Lord to lead the people of Israel out of the land of Egypt, which he did. All the way, the people he led murmured, doubted, and some connived against him, but yet the Bible called him the meekest man (Numbers 12:3). He maintained his meekness until the day he disobeyed the Lord.
In the wilderness of Zin, the people of Israel complained bitterly to Moses and Aaron about the lack of water. Moses and Aaron went to the door of the tabernacle of the congregation to hear from the Lord. The Lord told Moses to take the rod of the Lord and speak to a rock for water to come out, but out of anger for the murmuring of the children of Israel, he smote the rock twice (Numbers 20:2–13). Because of this act of disobedience, he was refused by the Lord from entering the promised land.
I believe Moses could have lived more than the 120 years he dwelt on earth, but due to that disobedience, things changed (Deuteronomy 34:7). Moses could have been the one who led the children of Israel against the inhabitants of Jericho; the books of Deuteronomy may have not stopped at 34 chapters or there might have been another book written by Moses; there was so much more he could have achieved, but because of that act of anger, disobedience, and pride, he lost the opportunity. This is very sad; that a man labours so greatly but fails to eat the fruits of his labour when it ripes.
When it was almost time for Moses to reap his reward, the same people he laboured for caused him to sin, which ultimately led to the denial of his benefits.
I wonder how painful it was for God to say NO to His servant whom He loved so much. Indeed, it was God’s initial desire that Moses would lead His people into the promised land, but when sin came in, things changed.
Sin is a robber of opportunities and impact. Sin is a destroyer of good things. Brethren, let’s stay away from that which could cause God to say no to us when His desire is yes.
And I besought the LORD at that time, saying, O Lord GOD, thou hast begun to shew thy servant thy greatness, and thy mighty hand: for what God is there in heaven or in earth, that can do according to thy works, and according to thy might? I pray thee, let me go over, and see the good land that is beyond Jordan, that goodly mountain, and Lebanon. But the LORD was wroth with me for your sakes, and would not hear me: and the LORD said unto me, Let it suffice thee; speak no more unto me of this matter (Deuteronomy 3:23-26, KJV).
Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. Human anger does not produce the righteousness God desires. (James 1:19-20, NLT).
Stop being angry! Turn from your rage! Do not lose your temper — it only leads to harm. (Psalms 37:8, NLT).
In all, I have learnt that it is not easy to lead others, especially those who fail to share the same vision as you do, and sin indeed does great destruction.
Stay away from every kind of evil. (1 Thessalonians 5:22, NLT).
Have a blessed day.
