Moses' Failures and Disobedience in Biblical Narrative
Moses, a pivotal figure in the Old Testament, is consistently presented as a faithful servant of God, yet biblical narratives also record instances of his disobedience and failures [5, 7]. These acts of disobedience carried significant consequences, both for Moses personally and for the Israelite community.
One of the most prominent instances of Moses's disobedience occurred at the waters of Meribah, as recorded in Numbers 20. The Israelites were complaining about a lack of water, and God instructed Moses to speak to a rock to bring forth water [11]. Instead, Moses, in anger, struck the rock twice with his staff, saying, "Must we bring you water from this rock?" [11]. This action was considered a serious breach of faith by God. According to Tyndale House commentary, Moses "spoke foolishly" and failed to demonstrate God's holiness by not following His instructions precisely [11]. His words also suggested that he and Aaron were the ones providing the water, rather than God [11]. This act of disobedience, stemming from a lack of faith and an unadvised expression of anger, resulted in God prohibiting Moses from entering the Promised Land [5, 11]. Matthew Henry notes that even though Moses was a faithful servant, God publicly displayed His displeasure against this sin to emphasize its gravity [5].
Earlier in the wilderness wanderings, Moses also faced the disobedience of the Israelites, who frequently provoked the Lord [10]. Moses himself recounted their acts of rebellion, highlighting how they had forfeited God's favor [10]. For example, after the spies returned from Canaan with a negative report, the people disobeyed God's command to enter the land, leading to a divine judgment that they would wander in the wilderness for forty years [1]. Moses questioned their disobedience, asking, "Why now do you disobey the commandment of Yahweh, since it shall not prosper?" [1].
The concept of disobedience to God is a recurring theme throughout the Old Testament, with severe consequences outlined in the Law of Moses [2, 4]. Disobedience provokes God's anger, forfeits His favor and promised blessings, and brings a curse [3]. Daniel 9:11 states that "all Israel have transgressed your law, turning aside, that they should not obey your voice: therefore the curse and the oath written in the law of Moses the servant of God has been poured out on us; for we have sinned against him" [2]. Josephus also notes that curses were denounced upon those who would transgress the laws given by Moses [4]. The punishments threatened by Moses in Deuteronomy 28 for disobedience are echoed in later prophetic books, such as Jeremiah [8, 9].
While Moses's initial hesitation to accept God's call at the burning bush ("Who am I?") is not considered disobedience, as he was conscious of his own weakness, his later actions at Meribah clearly crossed a line [6, 12]. God's requirement for obedience is absolute, and even His most trusted servants are held accountable for their actions [11]. The narrative of Moses's failures serves to underscore the seriousness of disobedience and the importance of complete trust in God's commands, even for those in positions of leadership.
Sources
- Numbers “Moses said, “Why now do you disobey the commandment of Yahweh, since it shall not prosper? -- Numbers 14:41”
- Daniel “Yes, all Israel have transgressed your law, turning aside, that they should not obey your voice: therefore the curse and the oath written in the law of Moses the servant of God has been poured out on us; for we have sinned against him. -- Daniel 9:11”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Disobedience to God — Provokes his anger -- Ps 78:10,40; Isa 3:8. Forfeits his favour -- 1Sa 13:14. Forfeits his promised blessings -- Jos 5:6; 1Sa 2:30; Jer 18:10. Brings a curse -- De 11:28; 28:15. A characteristic of the wicked -- Eph 2:2; Tit 1:16; 3:3. The wicked persevere in -- Jer 2:21. Heinousness of, illustrated -- Jer 35:14. Men prone to excuse -- Ge 3:12,13. Shall be punished -- Isa 42:24,25; Heb 2:2. Acknowledge the punishment of, to be just -- Ne 9:32,33; Da 9:10,11,14. Warnings against -- 1Sa 12:15; Jer 12:17. Bitter results of, illustrated -- Jer 9:13,”
- Project Gutenberg “Flavius Josephus, Antiquities of the Jews, CHAPTER 8, section 24: who were diligent about the worship of God, and the observation of his laws, and who did not reject what Moses had said to them; while the other wished them all manner of happiness also; and when these last put up the like prayers, the former praised them. After this, curses were denounced upon those that should transgress those laws, they, answering one another alternately, by way of confirmation of what had been said. Moses also wrote their blessings and their curses, that they might learn them so thoroughly, that they might n”
- Numbers (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Numbers 27:12: Here, 1. God tells Moses of his fault, his speaking unadvisedly with his lips at the waters of strife, where he did not express, so carefully as he ought to have done, a regard to the honour both of God and Israel, Num 27:14. Though Moses was a servant of the Lord, a faithful servant, yet once he rebelled against God's commandment, and failed in his duty; and though a very honourable servant, and highly favoured, yet he shall hear of his miscarriage, and all the world shall hear of it too, again and again; for God will show his displeasure against sin, even in t”
- CCEL (Reformed) “Calvin, Harmony of the Law, Vol. 1, section 13.2: God sometimes, for the purpose of trying the obedience of his servants, deprives them of hope, and commands them peremptorily to do this or that, still he more often cuts off hesitation by promising a successful issue. Thus, then, he now aroused Moses to perform his commands by setting the hope of the deliverance before him. The copula must be resolved into the illative particle , because the command and vocation undoubtedly depend upon the promise. 11. Who am I? He cannot yet be accused of disobedience, because, conscious of his own weakness, ”
- CCEL (Reformed) “John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, section 24: hid him from the view of the people; the miraculous vindication of his authority, by the fearful destruction of Korah, Nathan, and Abiram, and all their impious faction; the stream instantly gushing forth from the rock when struck with his rod; the manna which rained from heaven at his prayer;—did not God by all these proclaim aloud that he was an undoubted prophet? If any one object that I am taking debatable points for granted, the cavil is easily answered. Moses published all these things in the assembly of the people. How, then”
- Deuteronomy (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Deuteronomy 28 (introduction): This chapter is a very large exposition of two words in the foregoing chapter, the blessing and the curse. Those were pronounced blessed in general that were obedient, and those cursed that were disobedient; but, because generals are not so affecting, Moses here descends to particulars, and describes the blessing and the curse, not in their fountains (these are out of sight, and therefore the most considerable, yet least considered, the favour of God the spring of all the blessings, and the wrath of God the spring of all the curses), but in their”
- Jeremiah (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Jeremiah 6:12: The very punishments threatened by Moses in the event of disobedience to God (Deu 28:30). turned--transferred.”
- Deuteronomy (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Deuteronomy 9:7: Remember, and forget not, how thou provokedst the Lord--To dislodge from their minds any presumptuous idea of their own righteousness, Moses rehearses their acts of disobedience and rebellion committed so frequently, and in circumstances of the most awful and impressive solemnity, that they had forfeited all claims to the favor of God. The candor and boldness with which he gave, and the patient submission with which the people bore, his recital of charges so discreditable to their national character, has often been appealed to as among the many evi”
- Numbers (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Numbers 20:10: 20:10-12 Instead of reverently obeying God’s instructions, Moses rebuked the people (Must we bring you water from this rock?) and angrily struck the rock twice with the staff (20:11). God regarded Moses’ words and actions as a serious breach of faith; Moses “spoke foolishly” (Ps 106:32-33; cp. Jas 1:20) and did not trust God enough to demonstrate his holiness. By not doing exactly as he was told, Moses demonstrated a lack of faith in God to provide for his people. This lack of faith is also apparent in Moses’ words to the people. The Lord requires obedience and ”
- Exodus (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Exodus 3:11: God, having spoken to Moses, allows him also a liberty of speech, which he here improves; and, I. He objects his own insufficiency for the service he was called to (Exo 3:11): Who am I? He thinks himself unworthy of the honour, and not par negotio - equal to the task. He thinks he wants courage, and therefore cannot go to Pharaoh, to make a demand which might cost the demandant his head: he thinks he wants skill, and therefore cannot bring forth the children of Israel out of Egypt; they are unarmed, undisciplined, quite dispirited, utterly unable to help themselve”