There are two stories in the text this week. God gives water from the rock and Moses enables victory by raising his staff. Some things that the stories have in common. Both focus around the use of the staff: one to strike the rock, the other raised in victory. Both are about the leadership of Moses. In the first, Moses’ leadership and cause are called into question. In the second, Moses’ leadership is integral to the victory. The staff is noted to be the power of God. Perhaps God is trying to say to the Israelites that Moses is your leader and he holds the power of God.
How do we respond to leadership, especially in times of trial? Do we doubt them? How does God help us see the value of leadership?
