Opus 2025-276: Hidden Moments

At the end of the book of Deuteronomy Moses dies after getting a glimpse of the Promised Land.  God does not relent on the declaration that He would not enter.  He was even buried outside.  The reason is given that it was because Moses had struck the second rock for water instead of just speaking to it as God had directed.  It has always seemed like a bit of overkill.

Then I got to thinking about the character of God.  He is much maligned by unbelievers and His patience is overlooked.  Look at how long He holds back His punishment in other occasions.  I decided that God is consistent so there must be something I was missing.  I think that is always a good way to look at things.

It came to mind that Moses may have had anger issues all his life, that God had admonished him frequently and he had not responded.  We know from the words of John in his gospel that all the things Jesus said and did were not included.  I would imagine the same applies to Moses.

First I looked for what I called Moses’ Anger Points.  In addition to the rock I found at least two other points where Moses flew off the handle.  The first was when he killed the Egyptian.  The second was when he broke the tablets God had prepared.  This could be an indication.  You may find others.

God is incredibly patient but even He has His limits.  I think that is demonstrated in the Biblical account.  I think it would be good for me to understand that it applies to me also.

A good lesson for today.

homo unius libri