The account of Moses striking the rock for water is rich with theological significance and lessons for our walk with God. It reveals God’s provision, His demand for reverence and obedience, and the consequences of taking glory for oneself.
The First Instance: Water from the Rock at Horeb
The first time Moses was instructed to provide water from the rock is recorded in Exodus 17:1-7. The Israelites were in Rephidim, complaining about the lack of water. Moses cried out to God, and God instructed him:
“Behold, I will stand before you there on the rock in Horeb; and you shall strike the rock, and water will come out of it, that the people may drink.” (Exodus 17:6)
Moses obeyed, striking the rock as commanded, and water flowed out. This act demonstrated God’s power and provision, meeting the physical needs of His people. Importantly, it also prefigured Christ, the Rock who was struck for our salvation. Paul later identifies the rock as a type of Christ in 1 Corinthians 10:4:
“…and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them, and that Rock was Christ.”
The Second Instance: Striking the Rock at Meribah
The second and more infamous instance occurred at Kadesh, during the latter part of the Israelites’ wilderness journey. This account is found in Numbers 20:1-13. Again, the Israelites complained about the lack of water, grumbling against Moses and Aaron. Moses and Aaron went to the Tabernacle to seek God, and God gave specific instructions:
“Take the rod; you and your brother Aaron gather the congregation together. Speak to the rock before their eyes, and it will yield its water; thus you shall bring water for them out of the rock, and give drink to the congregation and their animals.” (Numbers 20:8)
However, instead of speaking to the rock, Moses struck it twice with his rod. Water still flowed, but God was displeased:
“Then the LORD spoke to Moses and Aaron, ‘Because you did not believe Me, to hallow Me in the eyes of the children of Israel, therefore you shall not bring this assembly into the land which I have given them.'” (Numbers 20:12)
Why Was God Angry?
God’s displeasure with Moses and Aaron stemmed from several key issues:
Disobedience to God’s Specific Instructions: God explicitly commanded Moses to speak to the rock, but Moses struck it instead. This act was not what God had instructed, demonstrating a lack of faith and reverence.
Misrepresentation of God’s Character: Moses’ actions misrepresented God’s holiness and grace. By striking the rock in anger, Moses made it seem as though God was harsh and impatient rather than gracious and merciful.
Taking Glory for Himself: In Numbers 20:10, Moses said, “Hear now, you rebels! Must we bring water for you out of this rock?” Moses used the word “we,” implying that he and Aaron were the ones providing the water, rather than giving glory to God.
This moment was significant because Moses, as the leader of God’s people, was held to a higher standard. God wanted to demonstrate His power through a spoken word, reflecting His authority and ability to provide without human effort. Moses’ disobedience obscured this lesson and detracted from God’s glory.
Theological Significance: The Rock as a Symbol of Christ
This event carries profound theological meaning. The rock struck in Exodus 17 symbolized Christ, who was “struck” once for our sins at the cross. As Hebrews 10:10 says:
“By that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.”
In Numbers 20, the rock was not to be struck again, but only spoken to. This reflects the ongoing relationship believers have with Christ after His once-for-all sacrifice. We now approach God through prayer and faith, asking and receiving, not by repeatedly “striking” Him through works or rituals. Jesus emphasized this in Matthew 7:7:
“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.”
Consequences for Moses and Aaron
Because of their actions, Moses and Aaron were prohibited from entering the Promised Land. In Deuteronomy 32:51-52, God reiterates the reason:
“Because you trespassed against Me among the children of Israel at the waters of Meribah Kadesh, in the Wilderness of Zin, because you did not hallow Me in the midst of the children of Israel. Yet you shall see the land before you, though you shall not go there.”
Moses was allowed to see the land from Mount Nebo but died before the Israelites entered Canaan (Deuteronomy 34:1-5). This consequence underscores the seriousness of leaders honoring God in all they do, as reflected in James 3:1:
“My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment.”
Lessons for Believers
The story of the rock teaches us several critical lessons:
Reverence and Obedience: God desires obedience to His Word, not partial obedience or self-driven actions. As Jesus said in John 14:15: “If you love Me, keep My commandments.”
Glorify God, Not Ourselves: Like Moses, we can fall into the trap of seeking credit for God’s work. All glory belongs to Him, as stated in Isaiah 42:8: “I am the LORD, that is My name; and My glory I will not give to another.”
Faith Over Anger: Moses allowed frustration with the people to cloud his judgment, resulting in sin. As believers, we are called to exhibit self-control and trust God in all circumstances (Galatians 5:22-23).
Christ as Our Rock: We are reminded that Jesus, our spiritual Rock, has already been struck for us. We approach Him in faith, not by works or striving, trusting in His once-for-all sacrifice.
My Final Thoughts
The account of Moses and the rock is a powerful reminder of God’s holiness and our need for humility and obedience. Moses’ failure to hallow God teaches us the importance of honoring Him in every aspect of our lives. This story also points us to Christ, the true Rock, who provides living water for our souls. As Jesus declared in John 7:37-38:
“If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.”
Let us approach God with reverence and faith, seeking His provision and glorifying Him in all we do.
