The conduct of Moses upon this occasion excited the LORD'S displeasure, and the reason is assigned more particularly: Numbers 27:12-14. If the LORD be not sanctified by his people, he will be sanctified upon them. If the Reader be at a loss to discover what was the offence of Moses in this instance, he will soon find it, when he looks at the LORD'S precept and compares it a little more closely with Moses' conduct. The command of GOD stated that he should speak to the rock, he had no command to strike it: whereas he spake to the people and not to the rock, and contrary to the divine order he smote the rock twice. Both which manifested his impatience, his distrust, and unbelief. Neither was this all. His language to the people savored of great pride, self-sufficiency, and arrogance: must WE fetch you water out of - this rock. If Moses understood as well as Paul, that the rock which followed Israel was CHRIST, was not this forgetting GOD their Saviour, and looking to an arm of flesh? Alas! what is man, even the meekest man, in his own strength?
Related Commentaries of Numbers 20:9
Numbers 20:9-10
9 And Moses took the rod from before the LORD, as he commanded him.
10 And Moses and Aaron gathered the congregation together before the rock, and he said unto them, Hear now, ye rebels; must we fetch you water out of this rock?