Exodus 16-18

The Consequences of Not Believing

After leaving Egypt, the children of Israel complained to Moses about not having any water (Exodus 17:3). God told Moses, “Behold, I will stand before thee there upon the rock in Horeb; and thou shalt smite the rock, and there shall come water out of it” (Exodus 17:6). Water did indeed then come out of the rock. Keep in mind that in this instance, Moses was told to strike the rock.

Sometime later, the children of Israel again complained about the lack of water. This time God said to Moses, “Take the rod, and gather thou the assembly together, thou, and Aaron thy brother, and speak ye unto the rock before their eyes; and it shall give forth his water (Numbers 20:8). What was different about this time? This time Moses was told to speak to the rock, not strike it. Because of his disobedience, God said that Moses, “…ye believed me not, to sanctify me in the eyes of the children of Israel” (Numbers 20:12). What is interesting is that God said Moses did not believe Him, not that he did not obey. So we see that to God, disobedience is unbelief.

Because of his unbelief (Psalm 78:20-22), Moses was punished by not being allowed to lead the children of Israel into the promised land (Numbers 20:12). Unbelief in God, and His commands, has dire consequences. Ignorance of God’s existence will not be a valid excuse of the day of judgment. Notice what Paul wrote concerning this: “In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power” (2 Thessalonians 1:8-9). Yes, God is indeed a loving God but He is also a God of justice: “Tell ye, and bring them near; yea, let them take counsel together: who hath declared this from ancient time? who hath told it from that time? have not I the LORD? and there is no God else beside me; a just God and a Saviour; there is none beside me” (Isaiah 45:21). John also wrote that unbelievers would end up suffering eternal punishment (Revelation 21:8).

Do not be fooled by those who say that everyone will end up in heaven. That is not what the scriptures teach. Moses was punished for his unbelief and so we should expect punishment if we do not believe. God says what He means and means what He says. Believe it!

In Christ, Steve Preston