As the community had no water, they held a council
against Moses and Aaron.
The people contended with Moses, exclaiming, "Would
that we too had perished with our kinsmen in the LORD'S
presence!
Why have you brought the LORD'S community into this
desert where we and our livestock are dying?
Why did you lead us out of Egypt, only to bring us
to this wretched place which has neither grain nor figs nor
vines nor pomegranates? Here there is not even water to drink!"
But Moses and Aaron went away from the assembly to
the entrance of the meeting tent, where they fell prostrate.
Then the glory of the LORD appeared to them,
and the LORD said to Moses,
"Take the staff and assemble the community, you and
your brother Aaron, and in their presence order the rock to
yield its waters. From the rock you shall bring forth water for
the community and their livestock to drink."
So Moses took the staff from its place before the
LORD, as he was ordered.
He and Aaron assembled the community in front of
the rock, where he said to them, "Listen to me, you rebels! Are
we to bring water for you out of this rock?"
*Then, raising his hand, Moses struck the rock
twice with his staff, and water gushed out in abundance for the
community and their livestock to drink.
*But the LORD said to Moses and Aaron, "Because you
were not faithful to me in showing forth my sanctity before the
Israelites, you shall not lead this community into the land I
will give them."
These are the waters of Meribah, where the
Israelites contended against the LORD, and where he revealed
his sanctity among them.