Puzzling indeed.

Aaron and the rest of that crowd missed out on the promised land, essentially because they got worried. Worried because they were in the middle of a desert with no water. I worry about a lot less. How much more am I missing. Is a life without worry possible? Is it desireable? Doesn't worrying keep us sharp to a degree? But then are we leaning on our own understanding? But we are supposed to be wise... so... can't worry lead to wisdom. If you are out in the desert with no water wouldn't it be wise to turn around but it would simultaneously be a lack of trust. Seems like you are in a lose lose situation. Here, though, sacrificing wisdom seems to be the preferred loss. God's wisdom is different than ours. Will God tell me specific times I need to trust him? Will it be obvious? Is that the idea? Follow your own wisdom as best you can until you get clear direction from God and then trust him all the way along that path when your own wisdom doesn't cut it? Or go with trust first wisdom second. God, I trust you'll help me with the answers to these questions that are keeping me from the promised land.

I hear you on that one. But isn't that a large purpose of the OT and the law is to show us that we can never live up to any standard of perfection. Not that we shouldn't try, but certainly shouldn't feel discouraged when we fail because exactly what you said, even moses failed (over and over) and moses and God had a direct one on one relationship.