What was the reason that Moses was not allowed to enter the Promised Land with his people, according to the Bible's Book of Numbers?

According to the Bible's Book of Numbers, Moses was not allowed to enter the Promised Land with his people due to a single act of disobedience. The incident occurred at Meribah, where the people of Israel were complaining about the lack of water. God instructed Moses to speak to a rock and bring forth water, but instead, Moses struck the rock with his staff in anger. As a result, God declared that Moses would not be allowed to enter the Promised Land.

This may seem like a harsh punishment for a single act of disobedience, but it is important to understand the context of the story. The people of Israel had been wandering in the wilderness for 40 years, and during that time, they had repeatedly rebelled against God and Moses. They had complained about the food, the water, and the leadership of Moses, and had even worshipped idols. Despite all of this, Moses had remained faithful to God and had led the people with wisdom and compassion.

However, at Meribah, Moses' anger got the best of him. Instead of speaking to the rock as God had instructed, he struck it in frustration. This act of disobedience was a serious breach of trust between Moses and God, and it undermined the authority that God had given him as the leader of the people.

Furthermore, the punishment of Moses was not just about his own disobedience, but also about setting an example for the people of Israel. God wanted to teach them that there were consequences for disobedience, and that even the greatest leaders were not above the law. By barring Moses from entering the Promised Land, God was showing the people that obedience to his commands was essential for the fulfillment of his promises.