This is a simplified version of the Bible story found in Numbers 20:2-13, written for children to understand. For the original version, please refer to the Bible passage.
Once upon a time, God’s people were traveling through the desert and they got really thirsty. They went to Moses and Aaron and complained, “Why did you bring us here to die? We don’t even have any water to drink!” Moses and Aaron knew that they needed God’s help, so they went to the tent where they met with God.
God told Moses to take his staff and bring the people to a rock. He was supposed to speak to the rock and water would come out for everyone to drink. But when they got to the rock, Moses got angry with the people and said, “Do we have to get water for you again?” Instead of speaking to the rock like God told him to, Moses hit it with his staff twice.
The Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron and said, “Because you did not believe in me, to uphold me as holy in the eyes of the people of Israel, therefore you shall not bring this assembly into the land that I have given them.”
God was disappointed that Moses did not trust Him enough to speak to the rock, and instead chose to strike it. Because of this, Moses and Aaron were not allowed to enter the land that God had promised them.
This place where the people complained and Moses disobeyed God was called Meribah.
Biblical Lessons
- When we have a problem, we can always turn to God for help.
- God wants us to obey Him, even if we don’t understand why.