JD Abshire

In Exodus 17:6, God instructed Moses to "smite the rock" to which he obeyed the first time. The second occurrence regarding water coming forth from a rock is found in Numbers 20:8. Notice this time that God said: "speak ye unto the rock". In 20:10 Moses either frustrated with the people or maybe getting a little cocky said: "Hear now, ye rebels; must we fetch you water out of this rock?" What did Moses do next do? V. 11 "smote the rock twice and the water came out abundantly".

Numbers 20:12 tells us precisely why Moses and Aaron did not enter the Promised Land."And the LORD spake unto Moses and Aaron, Because ye believed me not, to sanctify me in the eyes of the children of Israel, therefore ye shall not bring this congregation into the land which I have given them." 
I believe it was more than disobedience. The Bible is undeniably rich in symbolism and typology. As such, Christ is referenced many times in scripture as the “rock” Here’s just a few. Deuteronomy 32:4, 15, 18 2 Samuel 22:47, 23:3 and especially 1 Corinthians 10:4 “And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.”

We know from scripture that the incarnation, life, death and resurrection of our Lord was foreknown, purposed then executed according to God’s plan from eternity past. Isaiah wrote concerning Christ’s crucifixion approximately 800 years before his incarnation and birth. “Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand.” (Isaiah 53:10). "Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted." (Isaiah 54:3) (See Also Acts 2:23, Revelation 13:8)

“Because ye believed me not, to sanctify me in the eyes of the children of Israel”. Moses and Aaron failed to believe what God said and as so many today, they do not believe God means what he says and decide to put their little “twist” on it. They either do this out of ignorance, the result of false teaching or by intentional misrepresentation. Why such a severe punishment? That rock represented Christ! He was only smitten ONE TIME, not twice. In protecting the “type” The Lord God reinforced the fact that Christ would only be sacrificed once for all time and that this one supreme sacrifice is all sufficient payment for all sin. Having been smitten He now sits at the right hand of the Father. “Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.” (Romans 8:34) As our great intercessor and high priest we are to “speak to the rock”.

Hebrews 4:14-16 “Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” We need to speak to the rock.

February 15 2015 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Kenneth Heck

In Num 20:8 we read that Moses and Aaron were commanded to speak to the rock so that water would flow out (not strike it).

But Moses disobeyed by striking the rock twice (Num 20:11). This was a serious disobedience - the penalty was death for him and Aaron before the Israelites entered the promised land.

February 15 2015 • 1 response • Vote Up • Share • Report

Shirley H. prayer warrior

In order to answer this, we must go to Exodus chapter 17. God had delivered His people from slavery in Egypt.

The people were grumbling once again. In verse 2, Moses asks why are they tempting the Lord. Moses, being a little beside himself, I think, asks God in 
Verse 4 what shall I do? 

After all that had occurred, they still did not trust the Lord. God gave him instructions in verse 6. Moses hit the ROCK! You know that was The LORD!. 

How much proof did these people need? God had given miracle after miracle! God had had enough distrust! He wanted to see some faith!

February 15 2015 • 1 response • Vote Up • Share • Report

Chris Eleam Chris Eleam

Jehovah did not reject the murmurers. Instead, he directed Moses to do three things: take his rod, gather the people, and “speak to the crag before their eyes that it [might] indeed give its water.” (Verse 8) Moses obeyed the first two directives, but he failed to be obedient in the third matter. Rather than speak in faith to the rock, he spoke in bitterness to the people, saying: “Hear, now, you rebels! Is it from this crag that we shall bring out water for you?”

(Verse 10; Psalm 106:32, 33) Then Moses struck the rock twice, “and much water began to come out.”—Verse 11.
Moses, along with Aaron, thereby committed a serious sin. “You men rebelled against my order,” God said to them. (Numbers 20:24) By going against God’s order on this occasion, Moses and Aaron became what they accused the people of being—rebels. God’s judgment was clear: Moses and Aaron would not lead Israel into the Promised Land. Was the sentence too severe? No, for a number of reasons.

First, God had not directed Moses to speak to the people, let alone adjudge them rebels. Second, Moses and Aaron failed to glorify God. “You did not. . . sanctify me,” God said. (Verse 12) By saying “we shall bring out water,” Moses spoke as if he and Aaron—not God—were the providers of miraculous water. Third, the sentence was consistent with past judgments. God had denied the earlier generation of rebels entrance into Canaan, so he did the same with Moses and Aaron.

(Numbers 14:22, 23) Fourth, Moses and Aaron were Israel’s leaders. Those with much responsibility have greater accountability to God.—Luke 12:48.
Jehovah is firm for what is right. Because he loves justice, he is incapable of handing down sentences that are unfair or unjust. Clearly, such a Judge deserves our trust and respect.
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February 17 2015 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report