Original Entry Date 12/1/2015: There are two instances in the books of Moses where water is made to flow from a Rock. God’s purpose for this was to quench the thirst of His people, Israel, as well as give glory to His Name. Let’s look at both passages, specifically examining the command God gives Moses for both occasions.
Here we see the children of Israel in need of spiritual refreshment (symbolized by the lack of water and their intense thirst).
All throughout the Bible we read of instances such as this, where Israel so easily forgets the power in which God has already moved to provide for them. That is definitely something to remind ourselves of when we find ourselves lacking in faith.
Moses confides in God and is commanded to go before the people of Israel with the elders and his staff in hand. Moses was to go to the Rock in Horeb where God would meet him; He would be standing before Moses and the people on top of the rock in Horeb. Moses was then to strike the rock once and water would flow freely from the Rock.
This is a picture of Christ (The Rock, God standing upon the Rock) and that by one blow of the Rod (Jesus crucifixion, He would only need to be “struck” once, meaning to die once) for the flow of Living Waters to run freely to His people.
37 On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. 38 He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.” 39 But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.
Now lets read the 2nd instance where God provided water for His people from a Rock.
Here is a second account of the children of Israel being in a land with no water (lacking spiritual refreshment) so they turn against Moses once again.
Gods commands to Moses are a bit different this time. Moses is commanded to, once again, take the staff and bring the people before the rock. But instead of hitting the rock God commands Moses to only SPEAK to the Rock and then the waters will flow freely .
Those commands go in one ear and out the other as Moses speaks to the people as if he is the one providing the water. He then smacks the Rock two times with the staff; the water flows freely but Moses made a huge mistake by not following Gods command.
This was to be another type of Christ, in that Moses was going to speak to the Rock and water would be provided. This was to typify how we can go to Christ and ask Him in prayer that in which we need and He will provide.
Striking the Rock twice was representative of those who lack faith in Christ Jesus and in the power of His resurrection. Jesus only needed to be “struck” once for the power of Holy Spirit (symbolized by the water) to flow freely.