Moses and the Rock

We’ve talked before about Jesus being “the rock.”

Another example of this is found in the books of Exodus and Numbers.

In Exodus, the people of Israel complained to Moses that there was no water to drink as they traveled through the desert. So after Moses prays to God “a little more and they will stone me,” (Exodus 17:4) God tells Moses:

“Pass before the people and take with you some of the elders of Israel; and take in your hand your staff with which you struck the Nile, and go. Behold, I will stand before you there on the rock at Horeb; and you shall strike the rock, and water will come out of it, that the people may drink.” –Exodus 17:5-6.

It’s such a perfect picture fulfilled by Christ. What happened at Jesus’ trial and crucifixion? He was struck and most notably, His side was pierced and blood and water flowed from His side. From that wound, the Church flowed from His side. Just as the Israelites lived by drinking water from the rock in the desert, we live in a spiritual and eternal sense from the struck rock that is Jesus.

But then something odd happens later in Numbers.

The people complained again about there being no water. Moses prays to God and God answers him:

“Take the rod; and you and your brother Aaron assemble the congregation and speak to the rock before their eyes, that it may yield its water. You shall thus bring forth water for them out of the rock and let the congregation and their beasts drink.” –Numbers 20:8.

What is different this time? God tells Moses to “speak to the rock.” Why? Because the rock (Christ) was already struck (died) once. There is no need to strike (re-sacrifice) Jesus again. The atoning work of Christ at the cross is done!

Is it time for you to speak to The Rock and ask for forgiveness of your sin?

Or are you already a Christian and you need to confess your sin, with the assurance that He is faithful and righteous to forgive us? (1 John 1:9).

May He Increase!