Striking the Rock: When Preachers Miss the Kingdom
What Moses, modern pastors, and the glory of Yahweh have in common
Brings Forth Water Out of the Rock
by | ANTONIO GONZÁLEZ VELÁZQUEZ
Striking the Rock: When Preachers Miss the Kingdom
The Story Beneath the Surface
In Numbers 20, we see Moses—after years of faithfully leading Israel—reach a breaking point:
“Then Mosheh lifted his hand and struck the rock twice with his rod. And much water came out…”
—Numbers 20:11
Water flowed. The people were satisfied. But Yahweh was not.
“Because you did not believe Me, to set Me apart in the eyes of the children of Yisra’ĕl, therefore you do not bring this assembly into the land…”
—Numbers 20:12
Moses, the chosen vessel, was disqualified from entering the Promised Land.
Why?
He struck when he was commanded to speak.
The Exodus | Horace William Petherick (1839–1919) | Museum of Croydon
Misrepresenting the Nature of Yahweh
Moses acted from frustration, not faith.
Moses made a mistake many of us have made—he struck the rock in his frustration. Rather than seeking guidance from Yahweh, and acknowledging his sin, he blamed the people, the situation, anything other than himself.
He misrepresented Yahweh’s holiness. By displaying anger instead of reverence, control instead of surrender, he chose his feelings over Yahweh, who was right there. And Yahweh took that misrepresentation seriously.
Moses, like Adam, shifts the blame to the people he was entrusted to lead. Instead of taking responsibility, he lashes out and loses the reward. Here’s how the pattern plays out:
The Blame Game in Eden and the Wilderness
Adam:
“The woman whom You gave to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I ate.”
— Genesis 3:12
Adam refuses to own his failure. He deflects responsibility onto both the woman and Yahweh Himself: “the woman You gave me.”
Moses:
“Listen now, you rebels! Shall we bring water for you out of this rock?”
— Numbers 20:10
Moses lashes out at the people, fed up with their rebellion. But in that moment of frustration, he makes it about them—and makes the water flow about himself.
Yahweh rebukes him not only for his disobedience, but because he did not set Yahweh apart in the eyes of the people.
Painting by Domenichino. Public domain
The Deeper Connection
Both Adam and Moses:
Broke the law from a place of authority
Blamed others when under pressure
Reflected their own emotions instead of Yahweh’s holiness
Lost access to the fullness of the promise (Eden / Canaan)
Were held to a higher standard because of their role in Yahweh’s plan
Prophetic Insight
The prophetic thread: those who blame rather than humble themselves—especially in leadership—disqualify themselves from the next season.
Adam failed in the garden, Moses failed in the wilderness. Both were entrusted with cultivating something sacred, and both allowed frustration, pride, or deflection to distort their obedience.
This is not just history—its prophecy.
Moses striking the Rock
by | Corrado Giaquinto
Yahweh didn’t give us these stories so we’d worship people.
He gave us these stories so we wouldn’t become them.
We Weren’t Meant to Idolize Abraham, Moses, David, or Peter…
Abraham lied to save himself.
Moses struck the rock and misrepresented Yahweh.
David committed murder to cover his affair.
Peter denied Yahushua with cursing on his lips.
Yet people turn these men into idols, forgetting that the real Hero of every story is Yahweh Himself.
Scripture is a Warning… and a Promise
“A wise man learns from correction, but a fool repeats his folly.”
— Proverbs 26:11
We are not called to imitate their failures—we are called to recognize them so we can walk rightly. So we can learn what not to do, and understand what obedience really looks like.
And Yet… Look Who Yahweh Uses
Here’s the mercy: Yahweh still called them. Still spoke to them. Still gave them a place in His story. And we shouldn’t judge them, we should learn from them.
Yahweh is also showing us:
Don’t think you’re untouchable.
Don’t think leadership excuses rebellion.
Don’t think a past calling guarantees future blessing.
Because if Moses can miss the Promised Land, anyone can. We are all capable of making the same mistakes he did…
And honestly, we’re also capable of some of his greatest joys and accomplishments! And that should bring us tremendous comfort.
The Rod Still Falls from Modern Pulpits
Like Moses, many leaders today:
Are angry when they should be gentle
Demand obedience rather than extend invitation
Beat sheep with the Law, rather than lead them to Living Water
They may preach passionately and even see results. But they may still miss the Kingdom of Heaven.
“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Master, Master,’ shall enter into the reign of the heavens, but he who is doing the desire of My Father...”
—Matthew 7:21
The Rock Was Already Struck
The Rock is Yahushua.
He was struck once—and once was enough.
“By that desire we have been set apart through the offering of the body of Yahushua Messiah once for all.” —Hebrews 10:10
To strike again with fear-based teaching, legalism, or spiritual manipulation is to crucify the Son afresh.
When the Shepherds Beat the Sheep
This is not just about Moses. This is about every spiritual leader who forgets whose sheep they are tending.
“Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of My pasture!”
—Jeremiah 23:1 (TS2009)
“You eat the fat and you clothe yourselves with the wool. You slaughter the fatlings—you do not feed the flock!”
—Ezekiel 34:3 (TS2009)
Leaders may draw crowds. They may satisfy the people. But if they misrepresent Yahweh, the judgment falls.
Holiness Over Performance
Yahweh doesn't just look at the outcome. He looks at the reflection. Moses gave water to the people, but distorted the reflection of Yahweh.
Today, sermons flow, platforms grow, ministries expand. But if Yahushua is misrepresented, the Presence departs.
And if we lose sight of our Shepherd, then we are just another lost sheep.
“Leave them alone. They are blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind leads the blind, both shall fall into a ditch.”—Matthew 15:14
“And He spoke a parable to them, ‘Is a blind able to lead a blind? Shall they not both fall into a pit?’” —Luke 6:39
Both passages warn against following teachers who themselves cannot see the truth of Yahweh’s Word.
The Kingdom Requires Reverence
Moses wasn’t excluded because of a single mistake. He was warned, and still chose to act out of anger. His emotions got in the way of Yahweh’s instructions.
This is a warning for every pastor, prophet, teacher, and spiritual influencer today. Repent and ask Yah to cleanse you of your sin and give you fresh eyes to see.
A Word to the Modern Shepherd
If you are in ministry or spiritual leadership, ask yourself:
Do I reflect the character of Yahushua?
Do I serve from frustration or reverence?
Am I speaking what He says—or striking because I feel provoked?
When a lamb approaches, are you a wolf, or a shepherd?
Are you feeding the sheep, or yourself?
Holiness begins in the heart. The Kingdom is not won by power, but by obedience.
GRACE Method Reflection
And Here We Find Grace…
GRACE perfectly encapsulates the transition from striving, to resting, in God's presence—which is at the heart of the message. Grace is the unmerited favor of God, and it's through His grace that we are able to move from struggle to peace. I invite you to pause and reflect on God's presence, how you can connect to God’s grace in a meaningful way.
Our GRACE Method™ is meant to encourage you so you can experience YHWH, Immanuel, and the Holy Spirit, in a deeper way, on a regular basis, through thought provoking Bible Study, Prayer, education, and Worship.
G — Ground Yourself in Scripture
Read Numbers 20:7–13.
Why did Yahweh judge Moses so seriously, even though the water still flowed?
R — Reflect on the Deeper Context
Why did Yahweh tell Moses to speak to the rock?
What did the rock represent?
A — Apply It to Your Life
Have you ever led others in anger?
Where might you be striking instead of speaking?
C — Commune with God
Ask the Spirit to reveal places in your life or leadership where you are misrepresenting Yahweh’s holiness.
Invite Him to restore reverence.
E — Exalt Him in Truth
Praise Yahweh for His patience and grace.
Thank Him for the water that flows from the Rock—and commit to guarding His reflection with your words and actions.
Share Your Faith
Has this word spoken to your heart? Share it with your pastor, your small group, or someone in leadership. The Church needs shepherds who know the Rock—and speak rightly in His Name.
Scripture References
Numbers 20:7–13
Matthew 7:21
Zechariah 12:10
Jeremiah 23:1
Ezekiel 34:3
1 Corinthians 10:4
Matthew 23:4
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