Partial VS Complete

By: Jenifer Metzger

As the Israelites wandered through the desert, they began to get thirsty and there was no water to satisfy them. Of course we know the Israelites tended to be complainers, so they went to Moses with their grievances. Moses and Aaron then went to God on behalf of the people.

The Lord spoke to Moses, “Take the

staff and assemble the community. You

and your brother Aaron are to speak to

the rock while they watch, and it will

yield its water. You will bring out water

for them from the rock and provide drink

for the community and their livestock.”

Numbers 20:7-8 CSB

God gave Moses very plain instructions. He didn't leave any room for guess work. Go to the rock. Speak to the rock. Water will flow from the rock. So easy.

So Moses took the staff from the Lord’s

presence just as He had commanded him.

Moses and Aaron summoned the assembly

in front of the rock, and Moses said to

them, “Listen, you rebels! Must we bring

water out of this rock for you?” Then Moses

raised his hand and struck the rock twice

with his staff, so that abundant water gushed

out, and the community and their livestock drank.

Numbers 20:9-11 CSB

Moses went to the rock, as instructed. But instead of speaking to the rock, it says he struck the rock with his staff. Now God still honored His word and brought forth water for the people. But Moses didn't speak to the rock as God told him to, he struck it. He partially obeyed.

Partial obedience is disobedience. We can't obey God part way and say we obeyed. We must obey God fully. His full directions. His complete Word.

We tell the truth...but we leave out some key points.
We are faithful to our spouse...but we linger on the inappropriate Facebook video a little too long.
We tithe...but we only give eight percent of our income.
We don't gossip...but we tell our very best friend because they won't say anything.
We don't have idols...but we can't function without our cellphone in our hands.
We gave money to the person in need...but we only gave a fraction of what God told us to give.

Partial obedience...disobedience...has consequences. In fact, Moses' disobedience to God cost him getting to see the Promised Land this side of heaven.

But the Lord said to Moses and Aaron,

“Because you did not trust me to

demonstrate My holiness in the sight of

the Israelites, you will not bring this

assembly into the land I have given them.”

Numbers 20:12 CSB

We must fully obey God at all times. There is a danger in partial obedience. We need to be women who strive for complete obedience at all times and repent when we miss the mark.

Discussion:
1. Can you think of a time you only partially obeyed God's Word or instructions? Did you try to justify it saying you obeyed?
2. What can you do to be more intentional with full and complete obedience at all times?