The Promised Land

It is normal to be angry. It is only wrong if you cannot control yourself in anger. We are who we choose to be. Friendship was tested and the very issues of life are in the balance

ONE

The Thirsty People

Moses was a great leader. God asked him to lead the people of Israel to the Promised Land. A special place that He prepared for them. On their way home, the people cried out for water because they were very tired and thirsty. Some of them even fainted as a result. There were no wells or rivers around to draw water. All they could see were rocks! As the cry for water grew, Moses took his brother Aaron to a corner, where they fell on their knees and prayed to God for help.

God heard Moses and Aaron and came down to meet them. “Moses, I have heard your prayers. Gather the people and speak to the rock. The rock will give water, which will be enough for the people and their livestock to drink. Is that clear?”

“Yes, my lord,” Moses said, bowing his head gently.

God smiled down at them and moved into the shadows.

Moses rose to his feet. He grabbed his rod with an iron grip and swallowed hard. Rather than stay happy for his prayers that were answered, he became flushed with anger. It was easy to tell why he was angry. He was frustrated by the unbelief of the people of Israel.

Aaron, together with Moses went back to the people. Angry, Moses said to them, “You rebels, why cry over little things? Must you drink water from the rock?” Before the people could say a word, Moses raised his rod and hit the rock twice. Water came out of the rock. The people and their animals drank and were happy. While everyone including Moses drank to their fill, God watched them sadly from His throne. Moses did not do what he was asked to do.

TWO

The Water of Meribah

While the people drank water from the rock like there was no tomorrow, God looked on in anger because nobody said “thank you” to Him. Moses and Aaron did not tell the people that God provided the water. The people thought Moses was the one that made the water to come out of the rock!

Later on that day, Moses was alone. He sat on a log of wood, probably thinking about the Promised Land. God then appeared from the evening shadows and walked up to him. “Moses!” He tapped his shoulder.

“Yes, my Lord,” Moses raised his head and answered, smiling.

“Come,” God wore a frown. Moses rose to his feet and followed Him to a corner.

“What have you done?” God thundered.

“What? I did what you asked me to do,” Moses shrugged. “I did not do any wrong.”

God shook his head as He breathed fire from His nostrils. Fuming, God said, “No, you failed, Moses. I did not ask you to hit the rock. I instructed you to speak to the rock!” Red with rage, God crossed His arm over His body. “I was always there in your time of need, but you took me for granted. You forgot me! I made you, and the world is mine! Since you did not tell the people that I gave them water, you will not take them home!”

Moses fell on his knees, with his hands stretched out and palms up. He cried out, “Ah! My Lord, I did not mean to hurt you. I was angry and I forgot…”

It was rather too late as God’s voice echoed as He walked away, “It is normal to be angry. It is only wrong if you cannot control yourself in anger!”

THREE

Moses on the Mountain

It is good to get to the end of a thing. Moses always wanted the best for his people and he was always there for them.

After the meeting with God, Moses had a meeting with the people of Israel. He told them to be good to one another and to strangers. After the meeting, Moses walked to his tent. As he laid down to rest, God came into the tent. He walked to the side of the bed where Moses had laid down to sleep. “Moses!” He tapped him on the shoulder and Moses woke up. As he raised his head to check who had tapped him, he saw a bright light by the side of his bed. God cleared His throat and said, “We need to talk, Moses.” The bright light shone even brighter as the figure of God stood tall with crossed arms.

Moses rolled out of the bed and sat up. He lowered his head and avoided eye contact with God. “I am listening, My Lord!”

“Not here,” God smiled faintly. “Follow me!” He turned and walked quietly out of the tent. Moses rose from the bed and followed Him.

They had a walk out onto the field. After covering a good distance, and a huge silence hung between them, God cleared His throat and said, “You have done enough for these people, Moses. Your time is up. Leave the people alone and go to Mountain Abarim and die!”

Shocked, Moses said, “I don’t understand, My Lord.”

“You are a good man. You have done enough for mankind. It is time you stepped aside for another to lead,” God revealed, gazing into space.

“Why? But I am still young? I can carry on much longer,” Moses protested.

“No. you cannot. You are old. It is my grace that has brought you this far, Moses. You have done well. Another must lead.”

“My lord, you sound as though you have not forgiven me,” Moses cried. He began to sob gently.

God gave Moses a pat on the back. “I have forgiven you, my friend. The truth is, you need a break. There are chances that you will offend me again and I don’t want that to happen. I love you, Moses. As you know, you are the meekest man on earth. You have served me well enough. You deserve a break.”

“I am a just judge. I don’t want you to offend me again. How can I kill or destroy a man that I so much love? Moses, it is not your fault. The people are also part of the reason you did what was wrong in my sight. Listen, you should be happy that I will bury you myself. Such are only reserved for men of good conscience. Go now.”

Moses shook his head as tears began to roll down his face.

“Don’t cry, Moses. I have nothing to lose if I bury you,” God smiled.

It was a hard move, but what could Moses do? He wiped his tears with the back of his hand and walked away. God watched as Moses walked up to the mountain.

Moses never aged. He was like a man of forty years old even when he was already over eighty. That is the work of your God.

FOUR

The Valley of Hope

Getting to the Promised Land was hard. It was not easy. Moses walked up to the mountain. From the top, he could see the beautiful cities in the Promised Land.

As he looked at the cities, God appeared to Moses again. Now they stood side by side gazing the beautiful earth from the peak as the wind blew gently. Then God said, “These are the good things that I said I will give to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. I am happy that you have seen them. But as I said, you will not reach there. It is sad because you have really done well, Moses. I have nothing against you.” He placed his hand on his shoulder and pulled Moses close. “My servant, you are old. It is time we moved on. Lie down and die. We shall meet in heaven.”

Then Moses lay on the ground and closed his eyes upon the light of the world. He breathed his last. As Moses died, God took his body to a valley in Moab and buried him there.