Immerse: Beginnings Full Volume - Flipbook - Page 251
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community. As the people watch, speak to the rock over there, and it will
pour out its water. You will provide enough water from the rock to satisfy
the whole community and their livestock.”
So Moses did as he was told. He took the staff from the place where it
was kept before the Lord. Then he and Aaron summoned the people to
come and gather at the rock. “Listen, you rebels!” he shouted. “Must we
bring you water from this rock?” Then Moses raised his hand and struck
the rock twice with the staff, and water gushed out. So the entire community and their livestock drank their fill.
But the Lord said to Moses and Aaron, “Because you did not trust me
enough to demonstrate my holiness to the people of Israel, you will not
lead them into the land I am giving them!” This place was known as the
waters of Meribah (which means “arguing”) because there the people
of Israel argued with the Lord, and there he demonstrated his holiness
among them.
While Moses was at Kadesh, he sent ambassadors to the king of Edom
with this message:
“This is what your relatives, the people of Israel, say: You know all the
hardships we have been through. Our ancestors went down to Egypt,
and we lived there a long time, and we and our ancestors were brutally
mistreated by the Egyptians. But when we cried out to the Lord, he
heard us and sent an angel who brought us out of Egypt. Now we are
camped at Kadesh, a town on the border of your land. Please let us
travel through your land. We will be careful not to go through your
fields and vineyards. We won’t even drink water from your wells. We
will stay on the king’s road and never leave it until we have passed
through your territory.”
But the king of Edom said, “Stay out of my land, or I will meet you with
an army!”
The Israelites answered, “We will stay on the main road. If our livestock
drink your water, we will pay for it. Just let us pass through your country.
That’s all we ask.”
But the king of Edom replied, “Stay out! You may not pass through our
land.” With that he mobilized his army and marched out against them with
an imposing force. Because Edom refused to allow Israel to pass through
their country, Israel was forced to turn around.
