Anger Out of Control

Numbers 20: 11 

“Then Moses raised his arm and struck the rock twice with his staff..”

Passion is a dangerous engine. It can cause one to fall into a deep love, abandoning all logic, or cause someone to dive deep into pain that sparks an evil root. Passion can also be the engine of our faith if we use it right.

Here we see the famous water from the rock seen in the Bible. The scene opens with verse 3, and the Israelites are grumbling again because the Lord has brought them into the Desert of Zin at Kadesh, and Moses’ sister, Miriam, died and was buried. Needless to say, I would not be very compassionate with the people at this time when they are grumbling. “If only we had died when our brothers fell dead before the Lord?”

So, Moses and Aaron go to the tent of meeting and fall face down before the Lord, and He said to do these three things: 1. Take the staff, 2. gather the people, 3. speak to the rock before their eyes, and it will pour out its water.

So what Moses does here is classic. Moses and Aaron gathered the people; number one is taken care of just as the Lord had commanded. Then, verse 10: “Listen, you rebels….” Moses lets out a rampaging speech and ends up striking the rock with his arm and with the staff twice. Water comes gushing out, and all the people drank water.

I know I have been at this same place. I have heard from the Lord and fulfilled what I was supposed to do, but with anger and frustration. Passion can arise within us and go burning out of control, just like Moses. Picture him striking the rock twice and hitting it with his arm also, and probably yelling while in the middle of the act.

The Bible says that we should let the joy of the Lord be our strength. In Proverbs 29:11, it says, “Fools give full vent to their anger, but the wise bring calm in the end.” Do not let the petty circumstances of this life rob you of the joy of the Lord and let anger get its full vent.

Because of this act, Moses did not get to enter into the Promised Land (verse 12). Your anger may cost you greatly; make sure it is put in its rightful place. Proverbs 14:29 says, “Whoever is patient has great understanding, but one who is quick-tempered displays folly.” Folly is the action verb of fools. Speak, do not strike, says the Lord.

Prayer: Father, I pray that I will be careful to keep my anger in check. I pray that I will be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger, in Jesus’ name, amen.