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[ Note: This week's Torah (Chukat) includes three amazing pictures of the coming of the Messiah of Israel: 1) the mysterious Red Heifer sacrifice, 2) the Striking of the Rock at Meribah, and 3) the image of the Copper Serpent on a pole. It is certainly one of the most fruitful portions of Torah to share with your Jewish friends... ]
The Torah for this Shabbat (Chukat) concerns the sin of Moses at Meribah (when he struck the Rock instead of speaking to it, as the LORD commanded). As you will recall, this mistake by Moses cost him entry into the Promised Land. But why was this sin so severely dealt with by the LORD?
The Rock was a picture of Him who was stricken for His people (Isa. 53:4 and 1 Cor. 10:4), and Moses' second striking suggested that Mashiach would need to be stricken a second time in order to provide the needs of the people. No! The Rock that was once smitten for the people was now to be spoken to as the Living Rock (1 Cor. 10:4). Moses conveyed the wrong message, suggesting that the first striking had been insufficient and that something more was needed. The price Moses (and Aaron) paid for this disobedience was severe: neither of them was allowed to enter the Promised Land. And it is to this day: those who attempt to add to the work of the LORD by affecting works of their own righteousness will likewise be disbarred from the land of Promise.
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