Moses Strikes the Rock
Behold, I will stand before you there on the rock at Horeb, and you shall strike the rock, and
water shall come out of it, and the people will drink (Exod. 17:6 ESV).
The scriptures tell a story where Moses strikes the rock at Mount Horeb, to provide water for
thousands of thirsty Israelites. The newborn nation of Israel had just left Egypt, and wandered
in the wilderness for days, without drinking water. They were thirsty. The Lord gave Moses
specific instructions, detailing how to supply water for the people, but there is more to this
story than meets the eye.
The Spirit reveals some mysteries about this story through the Apostle Paul: “and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank from the spiritual Rock that followed them, and the Rock was Christ” (1 Cor. 10:4 ESV). The rock Moses struck with his rod, was symbolic of Christ. Jesus is God’s Rock that had to be smitten, so a thirsty world could drink from the Water of Life.
The act of striking the rock was symbolic of God’s judgement, poured upon Christ. He bore our sins, and paid the price for us to receive the gift of life, and the Holy Spirit. He had to be beaten for us to have the Water of life. Isaiah said “Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted“ (Isa. 53:4 ESV). Christ was smitten so that we could have Living Water to drink.
MEDITATE
Think for a moment on the meaning on the word “smite” or “strike” again. Declare the words
above of Isa. 53:4 out loud.
APPLY THE WORD
Christ bore God’s judgement so you can have Living Water, without enduring the rod (Gal. 3:2).
PRAY
Thank the Lord for paying the price, and allowing Himself to be smitten, so we may have living
waters to drink.
Recommended Read: Be refreshed with the Water of Life today
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Excellent spiritual analogy.
Amen. Thank you Cory!