He’s the Rock

“They drank from the spiritual rock that traveled with them, and that rock was Christ.”
1 CORINTHIANS 10:4

The Rock Num 20:1-13

Although the Lord had miraculously provided bread, fruit, and water for his people, they complained to Moses again about their thirst (Exod 17:3).

So Moses spoke to the Lord, who instructed him to strike a rock one time. Moses obeyed and water freely flowed.

The “rock” symbolizes Christ as our “foundation stone . . . firm and tested” (Isa 28:16).

As the rock was struck to save the Israelites, so Christ Jesus suffered and died to save us.

The rock was struck publicly, as was Christ.

As water flowed from the rock, so our salvation flows from the smitten Christ.

Salvation is a fixed, forever event that need not be repeated (John 3:16; 1 Jn 5:11-13).

Fast-forward forty years: Moses faced a similar situation.

There was no water for the people to drink (Num 20:2-13).

God commanded Moses to “take” the rod and “speak” to the rock—not strike the rock (20:8).

But Moses was angry and usurped God’s authority by striking the rock twice (20:11). Water flowed in spite of Moses’ disobedience, but it cost him. Both Moses and Aaron were  leading the people into the Promised Land (20:12; Ps 106:32-33).

Why was it a problem for Moses to strike the rock?

God specifically told Moses to speak to it, rather than striking it.

Perhaps the second rock was not to be struck because Christ cannot be crucified again.

He is now our advocate and our mediator—whom we speak through in prayer (Heb 8:6).

In our suffering, our cancer, or our spinal cord injury, we cry out to Christ, sharing our deep struggles and inner longing for healing.

In our tears, when the pain rips open our soul, we cling to the Rock, Christ Jesus.

We’re told that those who “trust in the LORD . . . will run and not grow weary . . . walk and not faint” (Isa 40:31).

And we find renewed strength.

It may not be physical,

and we may not be able to run.

But our relationship with Christ can result in the greatest power that a lost and dying world has ever seen.

He’s the Rock. Speak to him!