As they journeyed under
Moses leadership further challenges, failures, and deliverance would fashion
them. Into their National consciousness would be ‘burnt’ concepts of Yahweh.
Perhaps the most powerful imagery centres upon God being ‘the Smitten Rock’.
With hopes high the people marched out 0f Egypt as a triumphant army. It wasn’t
too long before Pharaoh sought to reclaim them. He failed. Then this huge
number of people became desperate for water. Doubt surged. Could Yahweh supply
water out here in the Wilderness?
The Lord instructed Moses to do what
seemed a futile act. Go and strike the Rock. Why? The immediate reason was to
satisfy the people’s thirst. The hidden purpose was to become a parable
fulfilled in the promised Messiah. Later, the prophet Isaiah would add to the
Nation’s understanding surrounding why the rock had to be smitten. In his
teachings on the ‘suffering Servant, Isaiah said this person would be smitten
by God and afflicted, (Isaiah 53:4). Why? Because He, the suffering Servant
took the place of a people under their Creator’s judgement. His life was freely
given. It was His choice to be their Substitute. What flowed upon the people at
that later event would be the grace of forgiveness. It was vital that the rock
be smitten. It remains so today. Christ crucified is our glory!
It was necessary for the rock to be
struck. It was required for Jesus to be speared and crucified. Only then could
all that is meant by the living waters which would flow could be realised. This
was the assurance given by Jesus to the woman of Samaria Jesus in John 4:14. Jesus
had also invited anyone to come to Him and receive the Holy Spirit (after the
resurrection John 7:37). He who identified as ‘the Rock’ would be smitten’ at
the cross of Calvary. What flowed from His side was blood and water. The blood spoke
of redemption. The water, the promised gift of the Holy Spirit (John 7:38-39).
The rock was to be
struck only once. This is so important in the light of what took place nearly
forty years later. The second generation of the Nation were confronted by a
similar water problem as the first generation. An almost similar solution was
decreed. There was one major difference as recorded in Numbers 20:1-13. Moses
was to speak to the rock and the water would be released. Unfortunately for
Moses, his anger towards the people was so hot it got the better of him. In
disobedience to the Lord’s command, Moses struck the rock twice. The mercy of
God brought forth the water for the people. The wrath of Yahweh came upon Moses
for not only his anger and striking the rock but for damaging the parable, the
symbolism surrounding the rock.
In the former incident the striking of the rock pointed to Christ being crucified. The cross of Christ is a once for all time event, Hebrews 9:24-26. Now, by faith in our risen Lord we approach Him to supply our needs in the light of His sacrifice. When Moses struck the rock on this second occasion, he was actually crucifying Jesus all over again. It was for this offense Moses was debarred from leading the Nation into the Promised Land.
The World’s view of the Cross and the crucified Christ is one of folly. The reaction of the Devil and his demons is terror and opposition. For the testimony of Heaven comes the account in in Revelation 5:1-10. There His praises are sung as the one who was slain, who lives, who redeems and who makes us a Kingdom of Priests who shall reign on earth. For us today, the crucified Christ is our Lord, our Saviour, our hope and our boast!
The Promise. God
forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom
the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world. Galatians 6:14.
The Warning. Neither
is there is salvation in any other, for there is none other Name under heaven
given among men whereby we must be saved. Acts 4:12.
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