it’s not about the water

Understanding the Heart of Obedience

In Exodus 17, a few short months after leaving Egypt, we see the Israelites in a state of thirst. Apparently, they were so thirsty they were convinced death was imminent. (If you have ever been a parent, you might be able to imagine what this episode of thirst looked like. I cannot be the only one who, on a hot day when we are away from home, my kids think they are on the brink of death because they are so thirsty!) The Israelites ask their leader, Moses, for the provision of water, and Moses consults the Lord. God gives Moses explicit instructions to strike a rock with his staff, and in faith and an act of obedience, Moses strikes the rock, and God meets the Israelites needs. What a sight that must’ve been!

Fast-forward a few years and a few new Israelites later to Numbers 20. Again, we see the Israelites (a new generation in a new place) grumbling in a state of thirst. They beg Moses for water yet again, and God gives Moses very similar instructions, except this time, instead of striking the rock to bring forth water, God instructs Moses to speak to the rock. (It is interesting to note that in Numbers 20:6 these instructions are given to Moses and Aaron in the Tabernacle. And the glorious presence of the Lord appeared to them. Wow, how many times I’ve prayed to have such clear directions given to me in such a way!)

I wish the Bible told us what Moses was supposed to say to the rock. “Water, come forth!” “Open your mouth and spew, Rock.” Feel free to imagine it your own way! But instead of acting in the same faith and obedience that he displayed in the similar situation years before, Moses chooses to strike the rock. This is one of those giant WHYs of the Bible for me. Why did Moses choose disobedience? And why, if Moses acted disobediently, did God still provide for the people in this way? Couldn’t God have allowed nothing to happen? Wouldn’t that have been a more logical consequence to Moses’ disobedience? Nonetheless, God provided for His people through Moses’ choice, and water came from the rock. But that water cost Moses more than he could have ever known. According to Numbers 20:12, as a result of Moses’ disobedience, God refused to allow Moses entry to the Promised Land. 

Here’s what I’ve come to learn: it’s not about the water. Often times in our lives, we come to a crossroads of decision: obedience or disobedience; responding to what God would ask or ignoring Him; doing part of what He asks us to do or doing it entirely; to grumble in want or to contentedly trust. And it’s remarkable to me to consider how many times God would meet our need even when our actions were not from a position of obedience. But we cannot recognize the magnitude of the consequence. But hear me, with the Lord, it is not about the water - it is not about the action. In Moses’ case, it wasn’t about striking or speaking to the rock. It’s about what the action says about the position and condition of our hearts. 

In Moses’ case, it wasn’t about striking or speaking to the rock. It’s about what the action says about the position and condition of our hearts. 

Maybe you’re coming to God with a need, and God is asking you to take a step of faith. Your obedience demonstrates your trust in who God is and what He’s asking you to do and how He will come through. Hebrews 11:6 tells us without faith it’s impossible to please God for those who come to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. Let’s break that down: that means faith is the gift of our lives to the Lord. Trust is the demonstration of that faith in a very practical way. And when we come to the place of choosing obedience, we find ourselves at a place to practice that faith and to demonstrate that trust in real and tangible ways.

The reality is water came from the rock through obedience and through disobedience. I cannot emphasize enough that God met the need apart from the action. (Meaning the result does not always speak to the righteousness of the action, but that’s a conversation for a different day!) But because Moses did not act in obedience, he lost his inheritance of the Promised Land. We must understand that God, in His sovereignty and in His goodness to us, is going to meet the need. But the role we play, what God would ask of us in return, is that we live in a posture of obedience. 

The next time God asks something big of you, don’t be mistaken: It’s not about the water. It’s about your heart. What does that mean? When God asks you to give sacrificially, it is not because God needs your financial support. God‘s resources are limitless. It is because God wants to understand the posture of your heart, and He wants to bless your obedience. When God asks you to go outside your comfort zone to reach out to someone who you know is lonely or hurting or broken, it is not because you are that person‘s savior or healer. It’s because He wants to test your obedience and bless you in return and allowing you to experience His goodness poured out for His children. In fact, God summarizes it for us in this moment with Moses when He says “Because you did not trust me enough to demonstrate my holiness to the people…” (Numbers 20:12)

In conclusion, I want to draw your attention to another moment in Scripture where “it’s not about the water.” In John 4, we read the impactful story of the Samaritan woman at the well encountering Jesus. Jesus’ opening line was to ask the woman for a drink from Jacob’s well. This invitation was the catalyst that changed the trajectory of that woman’s life forever. The meeting at the well wasn’t about the woman drawing water; it was about her encountering the pursuant love of her Father. The well (water) was only the backdrop. 

The next time you stand before a rock in the moment of your desperation, can I encourage you: still your heart and listen. And if God asks you to strike, don’t hesitate. And if He asks you to speak, raise your voice. Remember, His provision will be present and trustworthy. But you receiving the fullness of your blessing; you encountering the Lord at the well; your demonstration of His glory to those around; it all depends on your heart! Choose obedience!