Do We Sanctify Him In Our Obedience?

Numbers 20 reveals the events that led to Moses and Aaron's sin of striking the rock instead of talking to the rock! Within the judgment that followed is a very humbling statement by the Lord. In verse 24, God states that their sin was a sin of rebellion against God's Word. That is not difficult to comprehend: if we disobey or disregard the commands of the Lord, it is rebellion. What is more descriptive is God's initial words to Aaron and Moses found in verse 12: "Because ye believed me not, to sanctify me in the eyes of the children of Israel..."

Our rebellion against the will and commands of God is not just simple rebellion; it is a compounded sin of rebellion. A sin of unbelief before our God, and a sin of disgrace of our God in the sight of those who are near us! When we disregard the Word of God, we prove our rebellion, but that rebellion shows our view of God to Him and to others: we show our disbelief and we show our lack of desire to sanctify (to separate and make holy) our God before others!