Take Thy Rod-and Go

And Moses cried unto the LORD, saying, What shall I do unto this people? they be almost ready to stone me. And the LORD said unto Moses, Go on before the people, and take with thee of the elders of Israel; and thy rod, wherewith thou smotest the river, take in thine hand, and go. Exo 17:4-5

In this powerful story in Exodus, we can glean a great deal in regards to the responsibilities, trials, hardships, and importance of faith and leaning on God in any capacity in life; but especially for those in leadership and ministry of any kind.

In reading the entire account of Moses' life story, and what he went through to lead the people out of Egypt into the land of Canaan, we get a vivid picture of human dignity, but also the level of depravity people will stoop to, as soon as strong leadership is gone. When Moses went to the top of Mt. Sinai to receive the Laws of God-the people went right back to pagan worship of a golden calf made by Aaron and his sons before Moses even came back down. This same scenario is played out time and time again, right to this day. Paul spoke of the the same thing happening before his death:
Act 20:29  For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. 

​The attacks will be repeated, and be relentless. Jeremiah and Peter also speaks of this, and warns us:
Jer 23:1  Woe be unto the pastors that destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture! saith the LORD. 
Jer 23:2  Therefore thus saith the LORD God of Israel against the pastors that feed my people; Ye have scattered my flock, and driven them away, and have not visited them: behold, I will visit upon you the evil of your doings, saith the LORD.
​​2Pe 2:1  But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. 
​2Pe 2:2  And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. 
2Pe 2:3  And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.
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There are many other scriptures that could be used to make this point, and make the analogy that the believer in Christ is going to find that their journey through this life is full of temptations, trials, and  deceiver's. Satan works every day to find a weak point in you, to bring you to ruin. The road to heaven is full of troubles, and he will put people in your life that he can use to get you off the right path, and before you know it, your on a wrong road, going in the wrong direction. We are warned about allowing evil people to be an influence in our lives:
1Co 15:33  Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners. 

Even Moses had this happen to him, and caused him to not be able to enter the promised land before his death.
Deu 34:4  And the LORD said unto him, This is the land which I sware unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob, saying, I will give it unto thy seed: I have caused thee to see it with thine eyes, but thou shalt not go over thither. 
Deu 34:5  So Moses the servant of the LORD died there in the land of Moab, according to the word of the LORD. 
Deu 34:6  And he buried him in a valley in the land of Moab, over against Bethpeor: but no man knoweth of his sepulchre unto this day. 

Because Moses had disobeyed the Lord and hit the rock instead of speaking to it, it caused him to not be allowed to cross over into Canaan-but, the Lord was gracious and was able to see the panorama of the land God had promised with keen undimmed eyes, before he was taken by God:
Num 20:10  And Moses and Aaron gathered the congregation together before the rock, and he said unto them, Hear now, ye rebels; must we fetch you water out of this rock? 
Num 20:11  And Moses lifted up his hand, and with his rod he smote the rock twice: and the water came out abundantly, and the congregation drank, and their beasts also. 
Num 20:12  And the LORD spake unto Moses and Aaron, Because ye believed me not, to sanctify me in the eyes of the children of Israel, therefore ye shall not bring this congregation into the land which I have given them. 
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Moses had prayed, and asked that he could see the land and cross over-but God said no.
​Deu 3:23  And I besought the LORD at that time, saying, 
Deu 3:24  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? 
Deu 3:25  I pray thee, let me go over, and see the good land that is beyond Jordan, that goodly mountain, and Lebanon. 
Deu 3:26  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. 
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I'll interject this about Moses- in the account of the transfiguration of Jesus on the mountain, it's to be noted, that Moses also appeared with him. So, in his spiritual body, now in heaven, the Lord had him appear before the disciples on the mountain, in Israel- Moses indeed did cross over Jordon, as he spoke with the transfigured Christ. Only God could do this, and it's glorious in our eyes.
Mat 17:1  And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart, 
Mat 17:2  And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light. 
Mat 17:3  And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with him.
Notice: Moses the giver of the law, and Elijah one of the chief of the prophets: one of them had been dead near a thousand and five hundred years, and the other had been caught up to heaven, about nine hundred years before this. Here they stood, speaking with Jesus regarding what he was about to accomplish, in going to the cross. He was about to fulfill all the prophets had foretold of him, in his first coming. The death of Jesus was his glory, because, by it, he gained the victory over sin, death, and hell, and purchased salvation and eternal glory for a lost world.
Luk 9:30  And, behold, there talked with him two men, which were Moses and Elias: 
Luk 9:31  Who appeared in glory, and spake of his decease which he should accomplish at Jerusalem. 

In reading the story of the lives of the people God chose in the Bible, we see that he didn't choose perfect people, He chose those who had a heart to follow God, and wanted to know Him, and loved Him. He uses imperfect people, for His own reasons, and His own glory.

Watching many of the church leaders today, it grieves my heart. They know the word of God, and know how to twist it to say anything they want. Many of them will use just a portion of a scripture, with no corresponding verses, and out of context, to make it say what they want the people to hear. One day they will answer to God for this, but while they are doing this-they are leading many down a wrong road. They will be held accountable for what they've taught, and how they've influenced the people who followed them. It should make them tremble, but, I don't see the fear of the Lord in most of them. 

​In this world Jesus said we will have tribulation, but, be of good cheer, I've overcome the world. He is our pattern, He is the one we follow into eternity.
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If God calls you to lead or minister in any capacity, take up your rod-whatever God's given you to use, and follow Him. He will lead you and show you the path-though there's no guarantee it will be a smooth road. Learn to navigate the rough places, and the rocks, and keep following the cloud and the fire by night. As we learn to follow His voice and leading, we also learn He is faithful, and fulfills His promises.
Lorna Couillard

Go on Before the People

Though they spoke of stoning him. He must take his rod with him, not to summon some plague to chastise them, but to fetch water for their supply. O the wonderful patience and forbearance of God towards provoking sinners! He maintains those that are at war with him, and reaches out the hand of his bounty to those that lift up the heel against him. If God had only shewed Moses a fountain of water in the wilderness, as he did to Hagar, not far from hence, Gen 21:19, that had been a great favor; but that he might shew his power as well as his pity, and make it a miracle of mercy, he gave them water out of a rock. He directed Moses whither to go, appointed him to take of the elders of Israel with him, to be witnesses of what was done, ordered him to smite the rock, which he did, and immediately water came out of it in great abundance, which ran throughout the camp in streams and rivers, Psa 78:15-16, and followed them wherever they went in that wilderness: God shewed his care of his people in giving them water when they wanted it; his own power in fetching it out of a rock, and put an honor upon Moses in appointing the water to flow out upon his smiting of the rock. This fair water that came out of the rock is called honey and oil, Deu 32:13, because the people's thirst made it doubly pleasant; coming when they were in extreme want. It is probable that the people dug canals for the conveyance of it, and pools for the reception of it. Let this direct us to live in a dependence, Upon God's providence even in the greatest straits and difficulties; And upon Christ's grace; that rock was Christ, 1Co 10:4. The graces and comforts of the Spirit are compared to rivers of living waters, Joh 7:38-39, Joh 4:14. These flow from Christ. And nothing will supply the needs and satisfy the desires of a soul but water out of this rock. A new name was upon this occasion given to the place, preserving the remembrance of their murmuring, Massah - Temptation, because they tempted God, Meribah - Strife, because they chide with Moses.
(John Wesley)

WATER FROM THE ROCK; VICTORY OVER AMALEK

From the smitten rock flowed the water for the thirsty hosts. So the Rock of Ages was smitten, and from His riven side has flowed out blood and water, for the sin and thirst of the world. He that eateth His flesh and drinketh His blood, spiritually, hath eternal life. Such refreshment is in preparation for warfare. Then came Amalek! When our physical needs are satisfied, there is always the fear of Amalek, who, in the typology of Scripture, stands for the flesh. Between this wilderness tribe and Israel the conflict was long and bitter. The old Adam, said Luther, is too strong for the young Melanchthon. But let the Lord fight for you! Lift up your hands with opened palms to Him; He will not fail. See R.V. margin and Mat_1:21. But guard the rear, and ask that Jesus shall beset you behind as well as before. See Deu_25:17-18.
​(F.B. Meyer)