Moses revealed great weakness before the people. He showed a marked lack of self-control, a spirit similar to that possessed by the murmurers. He should have been an example of forbearance and patience before that multitude, who were ready to excuse their failures, disaffections, and unreasonable murmurings, on account of this exhibition of wrong on his part. The greatest sin consisted in assuming to take the place of God. The position of honor that Moses had heretofore occupied did not lessen his guilt, but greatly magnified it. Here was a man hitherto blameless, now fallen. Many in a similar position would reason that their sin would be overlooked because of their long life of unwavering fidelity. But no; it was a more serious matter for a man who had been honored of God to show weakness of character in the exhibition of passion than if he had occupied a less responsible position. Moses was a representative of Christ, but how sadly was the figure marred! Moses had sinned, and his past fidelity could not atone for the present sin. The whole company of Israel was making history for future generations. This history the unerring pen of inspiration must trace with exact fidelity. Men of all future time must see the God of heaven is a firm ruler, in no case justifying sin. Moses and Aaron must die without entering Canaan, subjected to the same punishment that fell upon those in a more lowly position. They bowed in submission, though with anguish of heart that was inexpressible; but their love for and confidence in God was unshaken. Their example is a lesson that many pass over without learning from it as they should. Sin does not appear sinful. Self-exaltation does not appear to them grievous. {4T 369.3}

Moses afslørede sin store svaghed for folket. Han (370) viste en mærkbar mangel på selvkontrol, der lignede den de knurrende havde. Han burde have været et eksempel på overbærenhed og tålmodighed over for skaren, som var parat til at undskylde deres fejl, utilfredshed og grundløse knurren, på grund af denne forkerte demonstration fra hans side. Den største synd består i at påtage sig Guds sted. Den ærefulde stilling Moses havde besat, gjorde ikke hans skyld mindre, men fremhævede den stærkt. Her var han et hidtil pletfrit menneske, nu faldet. Mange i en lignende situation ville slutte at deres synd ville gå ubemærket hen, på grund af deres lange liv i urokkelig troskab. Men nej; det var en alvorligere sag for en mand som var blevet æret af Gud, at vise sin karaktersvaghed i vredesudbrud end hvis han havde en mindre ansvarsbetynget stilling. Moses var en Kristi repræsentant, men hvor sørgeligt blev denne figur ikke spoleret! Moses havde syndet og hans tidligere troskab kunne ikke udsone den nuværende synd. Hele Israels forsamling skrev historie for fremtidige slægter. Denne beretning må den ufejlbarlige inspirationspen skrive med nøjagtighed. Mennesker i al fremtid må se himmelens Gud som en håndfast hersker, der under ingen omstændigheder retfærdiggør synd. Moses og Aron måtte dø uden at komme ind i Kanaan, underkastet den samme dom, der faldt over dem i en lavere rang. De bøjede sig i underdanighed, dog med en hjertepine der var ubeskrivelig; men deres kærlighed og tillid til Gud var ikke rystet. Deres eksempel er en lektie som mange går hen over uden at lære det af den, som de skulle. Synd ser ikke syndigt ud. Selvophøjelse ser ikke frygtelig ud for dem.