Speak to the rock before their eyes, that it may yield its water (Exodus 20:8)

Take the rod; and you and your brother Aaron assemble the congregation and speak to the rock before their eyes, that it may yield its water. You shall thus bring forth water for them out of the rock and let the congregation and their beasts drink. Exodus 20:6 NASB

I rediscovered this verse while reading the Gospel of Mark and pondering a new class called "First Steps" where people can have their questions answered about Christianity (http://christianityexplored.org/). They ask really good questions in the process of going through the Gospel of Mark such as, Mark 1:2-3, "What are the strange quotes at the start?", Mark 1:13, "What are angels"... It was there that I wanted to see the details of Jesus being tempted by Satan (Mark 1:12-13) that is detailed in Matthew 4:1-11 and Luke 4:1-13, specifically Luke 4:12 and Matthew 4:7. The quote:
"It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’" Matthew 4:7 NIV from Deut 6:16. Now I've heard many a preacher talk about giving money and "testing the Lord" in this way. But here Jesus says "don't test the Lord". So I wanted to see what Jesus was alluding to and read Deut 6:16  which clarifies: "You shall not put the Lord your God to the test, as you tested Him at Massah. (NASB)"

Now Massah is the place where Moses struck the Rock at God's command which brought forth water for the people (Exodus 17:1-7). God said, " I will stand there before you by the rock at Horeb. Strike the rock, and water will come out of it for the people to drink.”

So Moses did this in the sight of the elders of Israel. And he called the place Massah and Meribah because the Israelites quarreled and because they tested the Lord saying, “Is the Lord among us or not?”

Much had happened between Exodus 17 and Numbers 20, especially the death of Moses sister.

• Moses partially obeyed God, took the rod, gathered the people but then instead of "speaking to the rock before their eyes", Moses yelled at the people and struck the rock twice.
• 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, therefore you shall not bring this assembly into the land which I have given them.” Those were the waters of Meribah, because the sons of Israel contended with the Lord, and He proved Himself holy among them. (Numbers 20:12-13 NASB)

Application: As God's ambassador and someone who desires the salvation of those living in darkness. I will pray to God in front of them that they would be blessed with his insight, provision and come to know his salvation and light. I will believe God who can move mountains and take down every stronghold of evil. God who loves us and sent Jesus and His Holy Spirit to us, who doesn't leave us as orphans but comforts us in times of trouble. The creator, who breathed into man and gave him life. The sustainer of heaven and earth by the word of his command. The faithful one, the Anointed One, the God of Abraham.

Miriam and Aaron’s death have a huge impact on Moses