God called Moses the most humble man on earth, but he was barred from entering the Promised Land because of his anger unbelief.
In Numbers 20, we read the story of God providing water for the Israelites from a rock. Moses was directed by God to speak to the rock and water would come forth. But Moses gets angry and strikes the rock. God later tells Moses that because he did not believe in Him, Moses would not be able to enter into the Promised Land. What is the connection between Moses’ seemingly rash act and what God is labeling “unbelief”? And why is the consequence so severe? Not being allowed to enter the Promised Land? Really?
It’s a question we have to ask ourselves as well. What fuels my ungodly, selfish anger? Is it just a lack of self-control or is it something deeper? Is there unbelief behind the rage?
We become angry to try to make people do what we want. This desire to control is often rooted in fear, and fear at it’s root is unbelief. We do not trust that God will work it out, so we try to control, and we use anger to make it happen. This is why Jesus tells His disciples not to fear even in the midst of the storm because He was with them. He wanted them to trust that He would work it out and not stress out about their circumstances!
Perhaps Moses reacted in anger because he was fed up with the Israelites and wanted to make an angry statement. But God tells him that this was unbelief. God didn’t need Moses’ outbursts to accomplish His purposes.
I’ve recognized lately that unrighteous anger in my own life is often rooted in fear as well. I fear that I’ll be late and people will be unhappy with me, so I snap at my family to go faster. I fear that we won’t have enough money, so I get angry with my husband when we can’t account for our finances. I fear not being able to keep up with life’s responsibilities, so I blame my boss and let my heart grow bitter towards her.
Is there unbelief behind this fear? Yes. I don’t believe and agree with God’s value system. The approval of others becomes more important to me than God’s command to be patient and loving to my family even if they are being pokey and slow. I don’t believe that God will provide all that we need, so I get upset if I feel we don’t have enough money. I get angry at my boss because I don’t believe that God will give me the strength to do what I am responsible to do and/or I don’t say no to some responsibilities when I should because I fear what people will think. I don’t believe the promise that His grace is sufficient for me, so I demand in my heart that others help me when I want them to and help share the load.
Could it be that this same mistrust in God fueled Moses’ frustration? The Bible seems to allude to this in Numbers 20:12- “But the Lord said to Moses and Aaron, ‘Because you have not believed me, to treat me as holy in the sight of the sons of Israel…’” It seems Moses decided to take matters into his own hands. He decided a little force, a little display of power would help the Israelites to see Who they are dealing with. The purpose of ungodly anger is to manipulate, to scare others into doing what we want them to do. To control. But that is not God’s way.
God’s anger always hopes for the best. Even in His righteous anger, there is no control. We are always fully free to choose. And there is always love and acceptance no matter which choice we make, even if we cause Him pain with our poor ones.
How would our responses to life change if we fully trusted the Lord and His intentions towards us? Most likely we would find the patience, surrender, and courage we need to choose what is good instead of reacting out of fear. Let us press onto know Him. If He provides for the sparrows and knows the hairs on our heads, let us aspire to trust that He will take care of us(and those around us that don’t do what we want them to!)
