Human Response 215: Gather against and Contend

Numbers 20:2-3 And there was no water for the congregation; and they gathered themselves against Moses and against Aaron. And the people chode (contended) with Moses, and spake, saying, Would God that we had died when our brethren died before the Lord.

When Israel came to Kadesh in the desert of Zin there was no water for the people once again. And now once again Israel complained against Moses and Aaron, which amounts to blaming God. They complained against the human instrument God used to deliver them. Someone must be at fault for the predicament (no water) they were in, and ultimately that would be God. The rebellious sinners could not believe God when things go bad, but they can blame Him.

Someone said: “God probably gets more blame than credit.” The natural human response to trouble and bad things is to blame God, for we think He should do for me what we want. Humans think God could do something, but if He doesn’t then He is at fault. Why do bad things happen?

Israel’s reaction was almost a death wish: “Would God that we had died.” Things must be bad when the sufferer would rather be dead. Thirst can do that. But in our lives little troubles can seem like big deals: “My life is over. Where is God?”

In this instance, Moses and Aaron responded differently: they fell on their faces. God heard their repentance and intercession. He brought water out of the rock. We have the same choice of responses: we may complain and blame, or we may pray and believe. God is gracious. He responded to Moses’ prayer. Next time when I want to complain I will pray. “Do not be anxious, but by prayer with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God [Philippians 4:6].”