Bible Contradiction? How did Moses get water out of the rock?

For today’s post we will tackle the question the Skeptic Annotated Bible asked: How did Moses get water out of the rock?

Here are the three answers which the skeptic believes indicate a Bible contradiction:

By smiting it.

“5 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Pass before the people and take with you some of the elders of Israel; and take in your hand your staff with which you struck the Nile, and go. 6 Behold, I will stand before you there on the rock at Horeb; and you shall strike the rock, and water will come out of it, that the people may drink.” And Moses did so in the sight of the elders of Israel. 7 He named the place Massah and Meribah because of the quarrel of the sons of Israel, and because they tested the Lord, saying, “Is the Lord among us, or not?”” (Exodus 17:5-7)

By talking to it.

“and the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, 8 “Take the rod; and you and your brother Aaron assemble the congregation and speak to the rock before their eyes, that it may yield its water. You shall thus bring forth water for them out of the rock and let the congregation and their beasts drink.”)” (Numbers 20:7-8)

By using the Umim and Thumim.

“Of Levi he said, “Let Your Thummim and Your Urim belong to Your godly man, Whom You proved at Massah, With whom You contended at the waters of Meribah” (Deuteronomy 33:8)

(All Scriptural quotation comes from the New American Standard Bible)

 

Here’s a closer look at whether or not there is a contradiction:

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Leftists living at home and unemployed

 

Yesterday I had a lot of crazy conversations in campus evangelism.  The people we talked to happened to be really extreme and they were really, really off.  I have always suspected that most of these guys don’t have much going on in their life and don’t know what its like living in the “real world” where you have to work and not get supported by one’s parents over an extended amount of time.

And then I saw this news report.

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Review: Answers Book for Kids Volume 5

In continuing with our blog’s “wee-kids Wednesdays” here’s a review of a Christian Children’s book.

Ken Ham and Cindy Malott. Answers Book for Kids Volume 5: Space and Astronomy.  Green Forest, AK: Master Books, September 27th 2013. 48 pp.

5 out of 5

Purchase: Amazon

Looking for a book on space for young kids that’s written from a Christian worldview? This volume in the Answers Book for Kids series by Ken Ham is on the topic of space and astronomy!  My kids really liked this and when I asked them to describe the book in one word they said “Cool,” “Fun” and “Awesome.”  One of my daughters enjoyed the discussion about the Black Hole which was new to them while another said they enjoyed the illustration.

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Looking for a daily devotional for next month?

How is your personal time of reading God’s Word daily?

Next month is soon going to be upon us.   Consider making it a habit to read His Word and read it in a way that you are trying to grow in your love of God.

But you don’t have a devotional?  And money is tight for you to buy one?

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Review: Extreme Ownership: How U.S. Navy SEALs Lead and Win

In light of Memorial Day.

Jocko Willink.  Extreme Ownership: How U.S. Navy SEALs Lead and Win.  New York, NY: Saint Martin’s Press, October 20th 2015. 320 pp.

5 out of 5

Purchase: Amazon

How well do you own up to your own fault and flaws?  Do you often blame other people and your circumstance when you should be admitting your own fault?  This was a good book on leadership by a combat leader in the Navy SEALS.  It wasn’t only just a good book on leadership; it was also a good book of how to be under leaders as well.  The title of the book captures the subject of the material well; it is a book on taking personal responsibility of what you do.  Taking responsibility is a big important mark of a good leader versus a bad leader.

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Hungering and thirsting for righteousness

At a church retreat right now and teaching on the Beatitudes.

Since last month I wrote a post titled “Do you realize your thirst for God?”  I want to write this as a follow up post since I believe the sign of someone truly thirsting for God is someone thirsting for righteousness.

This is a study outline based upon Matthew 5:6

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Apologetics’ Lectures: The Theological Foundations of Modern Science

This is a lecture by James Anderson.  James Anderson is a Professor of Theology and Philosophy with Reformed Theological Seminary.  He’s also written on apologetics, philosophy and the Christian worldview in academic circles and also books for a popular audience.

Here is a lecture he delivered in 2018.

Here’s the video below:

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Bible Contradiction? Where did Moses get water from a rock?

For today’s post we will tackle the question the Skeptic Annotated Bible asked: Where did Moses get water from a rock?

Here are the two answers which the skeptic believes indicate a Bible contradiction:

The wilderness of Sin in Rephidim

“Then all the congregation of the sons of Israel journeyed by stages from the wilderness of Sin, according to the command of the Lord, and camped at Rephidim, and there was no water for the people to drink. 2 Therefore the people quarreled with Moses and said, “Give us water that we may drink.” And Moses said to them, “Why do you quarrel with me? Why do you test the Lord?” 3 But the people thirsted there for water; and they grumbled against Moses and said, “Why, now, have you brought us up from Egypt, to kill us and our children and our livestock with thirst?” 4 So Moses cried out to the Lord, saying, “What shall I do to this people? A little more and they will stone me.” 5 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Pass before the people and take with you some of the elders of Israel; and take in your hand your staff with which you struck the Nile, and go. 6 Behold, I will stand before you there on the rock at Horeb; and you shall strike the rock, and water will come out of it, that the people may drink.” And Moses did so in the sight of the elders of Israel. 7 He named the place Massah and Meribah because of the quarrel of the sons of Israel, and because they tested the Lord, saying, “Is the Lord among us, or not?”” (Exodus 17:1-7)

The desert of Zin in Kadesh

“Then the sons of Israel, the whole congregation, came to the wilderness of Zin in the first month; and the people stayed at Kadesh. Now Miriam died there and was buried there. 2 There was no water for the congregation, and they assembled themselves against Moses and Aaron. 3 The people thus contended with Moses and spoke, saying, “If only we had perished when our brothers perished before the Lord! 4 Why then have you brought the Lord’s assembly into this wilderness, for us and our beasts to die here? 5 Why have you made us come up from Egypt, to bring us in to this wretched place? It is not a place of grain or figs or vines or pomegranates, nor is there water to drink.” 6 Then Moses and Aaron came in from the presence of the assembly to the doorway of the tent of meeting and fell on their faces. Then the glory of the Lord appeared to them; 7 and the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, 8 “Take the rod; and you and your brother Aaron assemble the congregation and speak to the rock before their eyes, that it may yield its water. You shall thus bring forth water for them out of the rock and let the congregation and their beasts drink.”” (Numbers 20:1-8)

“for in the wilderness of Zin, during the strife of the congregation, you rebelled against My command to treat Me as holy before their eyes at the water.” (These are the waters of Meribah of Kadesh in the wilderness of Zin.)” (Numbers 27:14)

“because you broke faith with Me in the midst of the sons of Israel at the waters of Meribah-kadesh, in the wilderness of Zin, because you did not treat Me as holy in the midst of the sons of Israel.” (Deuteronomy 32:51)

(All Scriptural quotation comes from the New American Standard Bible)

 

Here’s a closer look at whether or not there is a contradiction:

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Quick Spiritual DNA Test

This is a serious and important post.

One of the most frightening passage from the Bible is what Jesus said:

Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many [n]miracles?’ 23 And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness.’

(Matthew 7:22-23)

The consequences of being a false Christian has too much at stake for eternity.

You want to make sure you really are a Christian.  You want to make sure you genuinely will be going to heaven.  Of course going to heaven is not by our own works, but the works of Christ.  But you got to have genuine trust in Christ’s person and work.  You need to be rooted in Christ.

How do you know you are rooted in Christ?  Here’s a biblical diagnostic spiritual DNA test.

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Reviews: Geronimo Stilton Graphic Novels volume 6 and 7

In continuing with our blog’s “wee-kids Wednesdays” here’s a review of Children’s books.  While this week’s review of children’s books aren’t Christian works they are still something homeschool kids and parents would appreciate!

Geronimo Stilton.  Who Stole the Mona Lisa? New York, NY: Papercutz, October 26th 2010. 56 pp.

5 out of 5

Purchase: Amazon

Want a quick and fun way to teach your young kids about who is Leonardo da Vinci, his famous painting of the Mona Lisa and also about Renaissance Italy?  This fictional graphic novel for kids is not only fun but along the way you learn history!  In volume six of the Geronimo Stilton Graphic Novel series the mouse and journalist Geronimo Stilton goes back into time along with his friends to stop the Pirate Cats from changing events in history.

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Presuppositional Apologetic’s Links: Third Week of May 2019

These are links concerning Presuppositional apologetics gathered from May 15th-21st, 2019.

1.) Since God is Unchanging Atheism is Impossible

2.) Apologetics Sermon Illustration #51: The Person who denied the Sun

3.) Anti-theism Presupposes Theism

4.) Understanding the Opposition

5.) Updates to Van Til PDF’s Section

6.) Updated: Why Apologists Should Read Biblical Counseling Books

7.) Van Til’s “Why I Believe in God:” Conclusion

 

Missed the last round up?  Check out the re-blogged post from a friend , or that of another reblog here,  and a repost here.

 

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Survey of the Book of Zechariah

I imagine many Christians can increase their knowledge of the Minor Prophets.  Here’s a survey of the eleventh book of the Minor Prophets: Zechariah.

Purpose: We will look at the authorship, purpose, structure and other aspects of the book of Zechariah so we would be more familiar with this part of the Bible and yearn to study it for ourselves.

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Two Short Spiritual Booklets Recommended from my Devotionals with my Wife

Here are two small works that my wife and I enjoyed for our devotionals together.  You might find them edifying as well.

Michael Reeves. Enjoy your prayer life.  Leyland, UK: 10Publishing, March 10th 2014.  46 pp.

5 out of 5

Purchase: Westminster | Amazon

Are you looking for a good book that would increase your appetite for prayer or maybe a work that would encourage you to think more biblically about prayer?  Personally I think most people can always grow in prayer; I know that’s certainly true for me.  This book is what I would recommend!  Michael Reeves have written other helpful spiritual books for the general reading audience and this work is no different; it is biblically solid while being practical but practical in a worshipful and God reverential way.

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Christian Persecution: Happens more often than you think

This Lord’s Day I want to encourage you strongly to pray.  To pray for the persecuted church.

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Apologetics Sermon Illustration #51: The Person who denied the Sun

GO TO PART 50

 

Point: An argument in the arsenal of Presuppositional apologetics is the Transcendental argument.  John Frame describes apologist Cornelius Van Til’s transcendental argument in the following matter with one of Van Til’s famous illustration:

The non-Christian, then, in Van Til’s famous illustration, is like a child sitting on her father’s lap, slapping his face. She could not slap him unless he supported her. Similarly, the non-Christian cannot carry out his rebellion against God unless God makes that rebellion possible. Contradicting God assumes an intelligible universe and therefore a theistic one.

(Source)

I think what follows below is another illustration in explaining Presuppositional apologetics.

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