20:9–11 After years of constant service and unparalleled patience Moses fell at his strongest point (12:3): (a) he spoke in anger; (b) he usurped the place of God, saying, “Shall we bring water for you out of this rock?” and (c) he acted violently, striking the rock twice, when God had told him only to speak to it. On the symbolism of the rock, see notes Ex. 17:6.