The event of Moses striking the rock occurs in two separate instances, each with different circumstances and outcomes, recorded in Exodus 17 and Numbers 20.
The first instance is found in Exodus 17:1–7. While journeying through the wilderness of Sin, the Israelites camped at Rephidim where there was no water. The people quarreled with Moses, accusing him of bringing them out of Egypt to die of thirst. Moses cried out to the Lord, who 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, and water flowed from the rock, satisfying the people. The place was named Massah and Meribah because of the people’s testing and contention.
The second and more serious event took place in Numbers 20:1–13 at Kadesh. Again, the people complained about the lack of water. The Lord instructed Moses, “Take the rod… speak to the rock before their eyes, and it will yield its water” (Numbers 20:8). However, Moses, in frustration, said to the people, “Hear now, you rebels! Must we bring water for you out of this rock?” Then he struck the rock twice with his rod (Numbers 20:10–11). Though water came out, the Lord rebuked Moses and Aaron, saying, “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).
This second incident represented a serious breach of faith. God had commanded Moses to speak to the rock, not strike it, and Moses’ disobedience misrepresented God’s holiness and patience before the people.
Theologically, 1 Corinthians 10:4 reveals that the rock was a type of Christ: “For they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them, and that Rock was Christ.” The first striking symbolizes Christ’s suffering and death, once for all. The second incident shows that Christ is not to be struck again, but approached in faith and reverence.
This account emphasizes God’s holiness, the seriousness of disobedience among leaders, and the sufficiency of Christ, our spiritual Rock, to supply living water to all who believe.
