Mulligans and Do-overs

Do-overs are a common practice among youth as they engage with one another in neighborhood games. Amateur golfers sometimes claim a mulligan when a bad drive goes awry. It is probable that if possible, many people would like a do-over to negate a wrong act in life. It is not the minor missteps, but the mistakes having lasting impacts that are of concern. One writer's words are significant: "A wrong act can never be undone. It may be that the work of a lifetime will not recover what has been lost in a single moment of temptation or even thoughtlessness."*

Consider the man Moses, forty years old and destined to become the next pharaoh of Egypt until he murdered a taskmaster who was beating a slave. Moses was forced to leave behind the royal palace grooming, years of education, and military training as he fled the certain retribution of Egyptian justice. The life he knew was over as he found a job herding sheep in the wilderness. For the next forty years Moses developed humility, patience, and absolute trust in God's ways. It was only then that God was able to use him.

Forty years later Moses stood beside a rock outcropping; he was frustrated and losing patience. He had been there before, but now Moses was preparing the next generation to succeed where their parents had failed. Unfortunately, the whining and complaining about lack of water stirred memories from forty years earlier. As a test of faith for the people God had not supplied water for their current encampment. God had instructed Moses to gather the people and then to speak, asking for water from the rock. As the crowd increased, the complaining grew more intense. Moses had enough and shouted, "Hear now, you rebels! Must we bring water for you out of this rock?" Numbers 20:10 NKJV. Then with Aaron at his side, Moses struck the rock twice with his staff and water gushed out.

Immediately Moses realized his mistake in striking the rock when God had clearly told him to speak to the rock. The rock stood as a symbol of Christ. Years earlier when water was needed at Meribah God had instructed Moses to strike that rock to bring forth water. As a symbol of Christ and His sacrifice the first rock was smitten, as Christ's life was offered once on the cross. There was no need to strike the second rock since we need only speak to receive Christ's blessings. Moses' words also assumed power that belonged only to God.

This mistake was all the more serious because of Moses' position as leader and example to the people. Moses would not be allowed to cross the Jordan into the promised land with the people he had led for forty years. In a fleeting moment the patience of Moses had been breached. Despite his loss, Moses retained his trust in God without asking for a do-over.

* E.G. White, PP 426

 

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