What does baking a cake, putting a bike together or planting a garden, or a plant, have in common? Well, they all have specific instructions
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The instructions were written and given for a reason. The instructions are there to guide us away from the possibility of a flopped or burnt cake; an unsafe bike; or an unfruitful garden or un-producing plant. When we follow the instructions given we are guaranteed success and so it is with God’s word.
The word Instruction is defined as a {1} Procedural [set] of orders or directions: {2} Knowledge or information imparted.
In Numbers 20: 7-12, God gave Moses 3 specific procedural orders, which he did not follow. Moses was to 1. Take the rod 2. Gather the people and 3. Speak to the rock. Instead Moses in his anger (at the Israelites), and also in his past experience, took the rod and smote the rock –twice. The end result was the same; water flowing from the rock to nourish the people, but how it was done was not God’s way. It was Moses’ way.
Once before the children of Israel complained about the same thing to Moses, about not having any water to drink. They were in a place called Rephidim. In Exodus 17 vs 5 & 6 we see where once before, Moses used the staff/rod to smite the river which they crossed over coming from Egypt (The Red Sea), and at the rock at Horeb.
But God’s instructions for Moses on that day were different from when He gave him similar instructions before. Moses heard God’s instructions but he didn’t listen. Moses assumed the instructions were the same as before. Not only that, but he had it with the complaining, ungrateful Israelites.
a. I Cor. 10:4 explains that “… the Rock was Christ”. And “once [he was] smitten at Rephidim (Exod. 17:6ff.), He did not need to be smitten, [or] crucified, again. To smite the rock twice was to imply that Christ’s death on the cross was not effectual or sufficient for time and eternity.”
b. We can hazard a guess that “Moses was not aware of the significance of what he had been ordered to do, but nevertheless God held him responsible for not obeying Him exactly. Obedience to His will is vitally important, whether we understand His purpose or not.”
How many times have God given us specific instructions that we fail to heed, or we rework to our own satisfaction? Our actions bring forth the same results in the end, but now there is disharmony between you, God and the Holy Spirit.
Reworking God’s instruction to fit our ways is called SIN. Sin is anything that is not of God.
But you say, souls are being saved, lives changed, people delivered and God’s work is being done. And so it may be, but, the vessel, you are marred; contaminated. Tinged with filth; filth in the form of disobedience; Sin.
Harsh isn’t it?
2 Timothy 2:20-21 KJV says 20But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour.
21If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work.
For a better understanding let’s read it in the amplified version of the Bible.
2 Timothy 2:20-21 AMP
20But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also [utensils] of wood and earthenware, and some for honorable and noble [use] and some for menial and ignoble [use].
21So whoever cleanses himself [from what is ignoble and unclean, who separates himself from contact with contaminating and corrupting influences] will [then himself] be a vessel set apart and useful for honorable and noble purposes, consecrated and profitable to the Master, fit and ready for any good work.
God’s word says obedience is better than sacrifice. And that the sacrifices of God are a contrite spirit: a broken and a contrite heart.
What does it suffer a man to gain the whole world and loose his soul? Or in other words, what does it suffer a man to have all these godly actions but still lose his soul?
God’s directions have a purpose behind them. It is not for us to know, just for us to follow. We must learn not to deviate from them because it can lead to dire circumstances, as it did with Moses.
Wouldn’t it be sad if we did all this work here for the kingdom of God and when you die you still couldn’t enter into the fullness of God because of disobedience? Guess what it happened to Moses. Moses was not allowed to enter the Promise Land even after all the things he went through with the Israelites. No matter how many times God had spoken through him, done miracles upon miracles and how much he worshiped him. God was disappointed with Moses and his lack of faith. God didn’t look on his actions but his obedience – or lack of disobedience.
So, what do we do? Go to God. Repent, and ask for forgiveness. Ask Him to how you exactly where you went wrong. Then ask Him to give you the strength and will to remove self from out your life and replace it with His will.
Take the time to sit before and just listen. You may have to get use to just listening to God for awhile. We all lead busy lives and sometimes we have to re-train our minds, body and spirit to once again, sit before the Lord and not fall asleep or get fidgety or think of a million other things you could be doing.
Take the time to read Psalm 51. Ask God to create within you a clean heart. God is love and He truly loves us. He does not desire to hurt us, only take care of us, but we have to follow His decrees. He said he will find those who diligently seek Him. He’s waiting for you.
Be Blessed!
Tereciah V. Smithen-Quintana
Note: Section A and B above in quotations is referenced from Biblegateway.com, special note section
