In Numbers 20, the Israelites are in a familiar place — complaining.
They’ve hit a crisis: no water. And once again, the people are wishing they’d never left Egypt. You can almost hear the sarcasm dripping in their words: “Why did you bring us to this terrible place? It has no grain or figs, grapevines or pomegranates. And there is no water to drink!” (Numbers 20:5).
Welcome back to the “Back to Egypt Club.” Membership: anyone who would rather go back to the misery they know than trust God with the uncertainty ahead.
The Right Instructions… and the Wrong Response
God tells Moses exactly what to do: “Speak to that rock before their eyes and it will pour out its water” (v. 8). Simple. Clear.
But Moses, overwhelmed with frustration, gathers the people and says, “Listen, you rebels, must we bring you water out of this rock?” Then he strikes the rock twice with his staff.
Water gushes out, the people drink — and from the outside, it looks like a success. But God calls Moses and Aaron aside: “Because you did not trust in me enough to honor me as holy… you will not bring this community into the land I give them” (v. 12).
The Problem Wasn’t Just the Rock
The issue wasn’t water coming from the rock — God did that. The issue was that Moses let his frustration become his guide.
Moses’ frustration was 100% understandable… but his actions were 100% wrong. God isn’t just after right outcomes — He’s after right hearts doing the right things the right way.
Feelings Aren’t Your God
Feelings are a part of how God made us. But they’re terrible leaders. Left unchecked, they push us into words we can’t take back, actions we regret, and choices that cost us more than we expected.
The waters of Meribah (v. 13) were a reminder that even when people fail, God proves Himself holy. The question is — will we be part of showing that holiness or part of obscuring it?
How to Keep Feelings in Check
The Bible gives us practical ways to make sure our emotions don’t drive us off course.
1. Cast, Don’t Keep
“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7).
The frustrations you don’t give to God will find their way out somewhere else — often in unhealthy ways. Moses bottled up years of tension until it exploded in one act of disobedience. Casting means intentionally unloading that weight into God’s hands, in prayer, as often as you need to.
2. Slow Your Response
James 1:19-20 says, “Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.”
Slowing down gives space for God’s Spirit to interrupt your flesh. It’s the pause between impulse and action where the Holy Spirit can say, “Wait. This isn’t the way.”
3. Remember God’s Goal for Your Life
God’s goal isn’t just that you “get the job done” — it’s that you become like Jesus. Moses got water from the rock, but he misrepresented God in the process. If our methods contradict His character, we’ve missed the point.
Everyday Life at Meribah
Meribah moments happen in offices, kitchens, classrooms, traffic jams, and family gatherings.
In each of these, the question is the same: Will my feelings lead me, or will God?
Why This Matters
Unchecked emotions can derail even the most faithful people. Moses had walked with God, seen His glory, and led His people for decades — yet one moment of letting frustration win cost him entry into the Promised Land.
That’s sobering, but it’s also hopeful — because if Moses could get tripped up, so could we… and if God could still use Moses after Meribah, He can still use us when we fail.
Bringing It Home
Where in your life do you feel the pressure building? Is there a “rock” you’re tempted to strike instead of speaking to?
Maybe God is inviting you today to:
Reflection Questions
They’ve hit a crisis: no water. And once again, the people are wishing they’d never left Egypt. You can almost hear the sarcasm dripping in their words: “Why did you bring us to this terrible place? It has no grain or figs, grapevines or pomegranates. And there is no water to drink!” (Numbers 20:5).
Welcome back to the “Back to Egypt Club.” Membership: anyone who would rather go back to the misery they know than trust God with the uncertainty ahead.
The Right Instructions… and the Wrong Response
God tells Moses exactly what to do: “Speak to that rock before their eyes and it will pour out its water” (v. 8). Simple. Clear.
But Moses, overwhelmed with frustration, gathers the people and says, “Listen, you rebels, must we bring you water out of this rock?” Then he strikes the rock twice with his staff.
Water gushes out, the people drink — and from the outside, it looks like a success. But God calls Moses and Aaron aside: “Because you did not trust in me enough to honor me as holy… you will not bring this community into the land I give them” (v. 12).
The Problem Wasn’t Just the Rock
The issue wasn’t water coming from the rock — God did that. The issue was that Moses let his frustration become his guide.
- God said speak to the rock. Moses struck it.
- God wanted to show His holiness. Moses made it about his own effort (“must we bring you water…”).
- God was looking for trust. Moses acted from pent-up emotion.
Moses’ frustration was 100% understandable… but his actions were 100% wrong. God isn’t just after right outcomes — He’s after right hearts doing the right things the right way.
Feelings Aren’t Your God
Feelings are a part of how God made us. But they’re terrible leaders. Left unchecked, they push us into words we can’t take back, actions we regret, and choices that cost us more than we expected.
The waters of Meribah (v. 13) were a reminder that even when people fail, God proves Himself holy. The question is — will we be part of showing that holiness or part of obscuring it?
How to Keep Feelings in Check
The Bible gives us practical ways to make sure our emotions don’t drive us off course.
1. Cast, Don’t Keep
“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7).
The frustrations you don’t give to God will find their way out somewhere else — often in unhealthy ways. Moses bottled up years of tension until it exploded in one act of disobedience. Casting means intentionally unloading that weight into God’s hands, in prayer, as often as you need to.
2. Slow Your Response
James 1:19-20 says, “Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.”
Slowing down gives space for God’s Spirit to interrupt your flesh. It’s the pause between impulse and action where the Holy Spirit can say, “Wait. This isn’t the way.”
3. Remember God’s Goal for Your Life
God’s goal isn’t just that you “get the job done” — it’s that you become like Jesus. Moses got water from the rock, but he misrepresented God in the process. If our methods contradict His character, we’ve missed the point.
Everyday Life at Meribah
Meribah moments happen in offices, kitchens, classrooms, traffic jams, and family gatherings.
- You’re on your last nerve with your kids, and instead of guiding them, you snap.
- A co-worker messes up, and instead of addressing it with grace, you let them have it.
- Your spouse says something that stings, and you fire back without thought.
In each of these, the question is the same: Will my feelings lead me, or will God?
Why This Matters
Unchecked emotions can derail even the most faithful people. Moses had walked with God, seen His glory, and led His people for decades — yet one moment of letting frustration win cost him entry into the Promised Land.
That’s sobering, but it’s also hopeful — because if Moses could get tripped up, so could we… and if God could still use Moses after Meribah, He can still use us when we fail.
Bringing It Home
Where in your life do you feel the pressure building? Is there a “rock” you’re tempted to strike instead of speaking to?
Maybe God is inviting you today to:
- Cast that frustration before it explodes.
- Slow your words before they wound.
- Let His goal shape your method, not just your outcome.
Reflection Questions
- What frustrations are you carrying right now that you need to cast on God?
- When was the last time slowing your response changed the outcome?
- What’s one area where God is inviting you to focus more on His method than just the result?
Posted in Wilderness