『因為你們在尋的曠野，當會眾爭鬧的時候，違背了我的話，沒有在湧水之處，在會眾眼前尊我為聖。…』(民數記27:14)
尋的曠野(Wilderness of Zin) 是巴蘭曠野北部的一部分，區內全屬崎嶇的山岳高地，年雨量極小，不宜農作。在以色列人心目中，這是一個「大而可怕的曠野」。以色列人進軍迦南途中曾在該曠野的加低斯安營，因缺水乾渴，會眾爭鬧，摩西違背耶和華的話向百姓動怒，以杖擊石。另外，窺探迦南的探子也是從這裡派出；摩西的姐姐米利暗也死於此葬於此。以色列人繞行曠野三十八年後，再次來到尋的曠野的加低斯。
在我們所說並所作一切關於神子民的事上，我們的態度必須按照神聖別的性情，我們的行動必須按照祂神聖的經綸。這就是尊祂為聖。不然，我們會在言語和行動上背叛祂並得罪祂。
“Because you rebelled against My word in the wilderness of Zin, in the strife of the assembly, and failed to sanctify Me at the waters before their eyes. ..” (Numbers 27:14)
The Wilderness of Zin is situated in the northern area of the Paran Desert – an area full of rugged mountain highlands. The rainfall is extremely low and is not suitable for farming. But in the eyes of the Israelites it is a “great and awesome wilderness”. So it happened that, during their wanderings on their way to Canaan, the Israelites camped in Kadesh, in the wilderness of Zin, and began to contend with Moses due to the lack of water. The Lord instructed Moses to take his rod, call the people, and ‘speak to the rock’. Moses, however, did not obey the Lord’s command. Instead, he became angry with the people and hit the rock twice. But God, being faithful, immediately allowed the water to flow out.
In all that we say and do concerning God’s people, our attitude must be according to God’s holy nature, and our actions must be according to His divine economy. This is to sanctify Him. Otherwise, in our words and deeds we will rebel against Him and offend Him.
