Water Out of the Rock, a Type of Christ
Exodus 17:4-7
And Moses cried to the LORD, saying, What shall I do to this people? they be almost ready to stone me.…


I. AS A ROCK IT ELEGANTLY TYPED OUT JESUS CHRIST, FITLY COMPARED TO A ROCK IN FIVE RESEMBLANCES.

1. For the despicable appearance. The rock is in appearance dry and barren, the most unlikely thing in all the world to afford water, so as. it was incredible to Moses and Aaron themselves to fetch water out of a rock. Even so Jesus Christ was (for outward form and appearance in the world) most unlikely of all men to afford any such waters of grace and salvation (Isaiah 53:2).

2. A Rock for exaltation and advancement. A rock is a promontory lifted up above the earth. Such a Rock was Christ advanced above the earth, yea, and the heavens; advanced above all men and creatures —

(1)  In holiness and purity.

(2)  In power and authority.

(3)  In place and dignity(John 3:31).

3. A Rock for firmness and stability. He is the strength of Israel (Matthew 16:18). Hence He is a rock of defence and safety to His chosen; and every wise man builds his house on this Rock.

4. A Rock of scandal and offence to wicked men (Romans 9:32).

5. A Rock for weight and danger and unavoidable judgment upon His adversaries, which, "on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder" (Matthew 21:44).

II. It was a type of Christ, AS IT SENT OUT WATER IN ABUNDANCE TO THE PEOPLE OF ISRAEL READY TO PERISH FOR THIRST. For so Jesus Christ is the only Rock that sends from Himself all the sweet waters of life for the salvation of His elect, otherwise ready to perish eternally. For explanation whereof, mark —

1. As from that rock issued waters to wash and cleanse themselves and their garments, so from this Rock stream waters of ablution or washing, which serve to wash away both the guilt of sin and stain of sin.

2. As from that rook issued waters to cool and comfort Israel in their weariness and wanderings, so from Jesus Christ do issue the waters of refrigeration and comfort, to cool and refresh the dry and thirsty soul; to allay the heat of a raging and accusing conscience, and to revive with new strength the fainting soul in temptation or persecution.

3. As from that rock streamed abundance of waters to make fruitful that barren wilderness wheresoever they ran, so only from the true Rock issue plentiful waters of grace to make our dry and barren hearts fruitful in all works of righteousness (Isaiah 44:3, 4).

III. IN THE MANNER OF ATTAINING THIS WATER ARE MANY SWEET RESEMBLANCES.

1. The people might ask Moses for water, but Moses cannot give it. It is God must give it, and miraculously fetch it out of a rock.

2. The rock gives water, but not till it be smitten (ver. 6).

3. It was the rod in Moses' hand that smites and breaks the rock. Even so it was the Law given by Moses' hand and our transgression against it that breaks the true Rock (Isaiah 53:5; Galatians 3:13).

4. The rock was smitten, but it was not so much the striking on the rock, but the Lord's standing upon it that gets water for Israel (ver. 6). There was no virtue in the stroke, but all depended on God's commandment and presence; even so it is not the death of Christ, nor an abundance of price and merit of His blood, nor the striking on this rock before men's eyes in the ministry of the Word and sacraments that can bring one drop of true water of comfort, but by the presence and word of God's blessing. The efficacy of grace depends not on any means or work wrought, but it is God's word and presence that doth all in them.

(T. Taylor, D. D.)



Parallel Verses
KJV: And Moses cried unto the LORD, saying, What shall I do unto this people? they be almost ready to stone me.

WEB: Moses cried to Yahweh, saying, "What shall I do with these people? They are almost ready to stone me."




The Smitten Rock
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