Symbols and Similitudes: The Rock That Was Struck
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In the biblical narrative, the symbol of the rock that was struck holds profound theological significance, particularly in the context of God's provision and the foreshadowing of Christ's redemptive work. This symbol is primarily drawn from the events recorded in the Book of Exodus and the Book of Numbers, where Moses, under God's instruction, strikes a rock to provide water for the Israelites.

Biblical Account

The first instance occurs in Exodus 17:1-7. As the Israelites journeyed through the wilderness, they camped at Rephidim, where there was no water for the people to drink. The people quarreled with Moses, expressing their fear and desperation. In response, God instructed Moses: "Behold, I will stand there before you by the rock at Horeb. Strike the rock, and water will come out of it for the people to drink" (Exodus 17:6). Moses obeyed, and water flowed from the rock, quenching the thirst of the Israelites.

A similar event is recounted in Numbers 20:1-13, at Kadesh in the Desert of Zin. Again, the Israelites found themselves without water and complained against Moses and Aaron. This time, God commanded Moses to speak to the rock to bring forth water. However, Moses, in frustration, struck the rock twice with his staff. Though water still gushed out, God rebuked Moses and Aaron for their lack of trust, resulting in their prohibition from entering the Promised Land.

Theological Significance

The rock that was struck is rich in symbolic meaning. In 1 Corinthians 10:4, the Apostle Paul provides a Christological interpretation, stating, "They all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank from the spiritual rock that accompanied them, and that rock was Christ" . Here, Paul identifies the rock as a typological representation of Christ, emphasizing the spiritual sustenance and salvation He provides.

The act of striking the rock can be seen as a prefiguration of Christ's suffering and crucifixion. Just as the rock was struck to bring forth life-giving water, Christ was "struck" through His death on the cross, offering the living water of salvation to all who believe (John 4:10, 7:37-38). The water from the rock symbolizes the Holy Spirit, who flows from Christ to refresh and sustain believers.

Lessons and Reflections

The narrative of the rock that was struck teaches several important lessons. It underscores God's faithfulness and provision, even in the face of human doubt and disobedience. The Israelites' repeated complaints highlight the human tendency to forget God's past deliverance and to focus on present difficulties. Yet, God's response demonstrates His patience and mercy.

Furthermore, the incident at Kadesh serves as a cautionary tale about the consequences of disobedience and the importance of honoring God's holiness. Moses' failure to follow God's specific command to speak to the rock, rather than striking it, illustrates the necessity of complete trust and obedience to God's word.

In summary, the rock that was struck is a powerful symbol of God's provision and a foreshadowing of the redemptive work of Christ. It invites believers to reflect on the sufficiency of Christ's sacrifice and the abundant life offered through Him.
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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.
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Exodus 17:6
Behold, I will stand before you there on the rock in Horeb; and you shall smite the rock, and there shall come water out of it, that the people may drink. And Moses did so in the sight of the elders of Israel.
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Introduction.
... admits into the number almost all similitudes indiscriminately. ... to the language of
dramatic symbols rather than ... these diverse effects; the same rock on which a ...
//christianbookshelf.org/arnot/the parables of our lord/introduction.htm

Resources
Who was Ishtar, and is there any connection between Ishtar and Easter? | GotQuestions.org

Are the seven Catholic sacraments biblical? | GotQuestions.org

What does the Christian fish symbol mean (ixthus / icthus)? | GotQuestions.org

Symbols: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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Subtopics

Symbols

Symbols and Similitudes of the Divine Presence, the Pillar of Cloud

Symbols and Similitudes of the Holy Spirit: A Dove

Symbols and Similitudes of the Holy Spirit: A Seal

Symbols and Similitudes of the Holy Spirit: A Voice

Symbols and Similitudes of the Holy Spirit: Abundant

Symbols and Similitudes of the Holy Spirit: Cleansing By

Symbols and Similitudes of the Holy Spirit: Cloven Tongues

Symbols and Similitudes of the Holy Spirit: Comforting

Symbols and Similitudes of the Holy Spirit: Consecrating

Symbols and Similitudes of the Holy Spirit: Earnest

Symbols and Similitudes of the Holy Spirit: Fertilizing

Symbols and Similitudes of the Holy Spirit: Fire

Symbols and Similitudes of the Holy Spirit: Guiding

Symbols and Similitudes of the Holy Spirit: Healing

Symbols and Similitudes of the Holy Spirit: Illuminating

Symbols and Similitudes of the Holy Spirit: Imperceptible

Symbols and Similitudes of the Holy Spirit: Impressing

Symbols and Similitudes of the Holy Spirit: Incomprehensible

Symbols and Similitudes of the Holy Spirit: Oil

Symbols and Similitudes of the Holy Spirit: Powerful

Symbols and Similitudes of the Holy Spirit: Purifying

Symbols and Similitudes of the Holy Spirit: Rain and Dew

Symbols and Similitudes of the Holy Spirit: Refreshing

Symbols and Similitudes of the Holy Spirit: Reviving

Symbols and Similitudes of the Holy Spirit: Searching

Symbols and Similitudes of the Holy Spirit: Sensible in Its Effects

Symbols and Similitudes of the Holy Spirit: Speaking

Symbols and Similitudes of the Holy Spirit: Vivifying

Symbols and Similitudes of the Holy Spirit: Warning

Symbols and Similitudes of the Holy Spirit: Water

Symbols and Similitudes of the Holy Spirit: Wind

Symbols and Similitudes: A Boiling Pot

Symbols and Similitudes: A Siege

Symbols and Similitudes: A Vine

Symbols and Similitudes: Almond Rod

Symbols and Similitudes: Basket of Fruit

Symbols and Similitudes: Being Mute

Symbols and Similitudes: Belt

Symbols and Similitudes: Bottles

Symbols and Similitudes: Bow-Shot by Joash

Symbols and Similitudes: Bow-Shot by Jonathan

Symbols and Similitudes: Bread

Symbols and Similitudes: Breaking of a Potter's Vessel

Symbols and Similitudes: Canaan, of the Spiritual Rest

Symbols and Similitudes: Ceremonially Unclean Food

Symbols and Similitudes: Change of Domicile

Symbols and Similitudes: Childhood

Symbols and Similitudes: Circumcision, of the Covenant of Abraham

Symbols and Similitudes: Cooking

Symbols and Similitudes: Darkness, of God's Inscrutability

Symbols and Similitudes: Death

Symbols and Similitudes: Eating and Drinking in Fear

Symbols and Similitudes: Eating Bread With Alertness

Symbols and Similitudes: Ephah

Symbols and Similitudes: Ezekiel's Beard

Symbols and Similitudes: Food

Symbols and Similitudes: Good and Bad Figs

Symbols and Similitudes: Handwriting on the Wall

Symbols and Similitudes: Harvest

Symbols and Similitudes: Invitation to Approach

Symbols and Similitudes: Isaiah's Children

Symbols and Similitudes: Jeremiah's Deeds of Land

Symbols and Similitudes: Jonah

Symbols and Similitudes: Lapping Water

Symbols and Similitudes: Manna

Symbols and Similitudes: Marrying a Whore

Symbols and Similitudes: Men Meeting Saul

Symbols and Similitudes: Mourning Forbidden

Symbols and Similitudes: Nakedness

Symbols and Similitudes: Offering Water to Drink

Symbols and Similitudes: Passover, of the Sparing of the Firstborn, and of the Atonement Made by Christ

Symbols and Similitudes: Posture

Symbols and Similitudes: Praying Toward the Temple

Symbols and Similitudes: Rain and Thunder

Symbols and Similitudes: Rainbow

Symbols and Similitudes: Roll

Symbols and Similitudes: Sacrificial Animals

Symbols and Similitudes: Salt

Symbols and Similitudes: Sanctuary

Symbols and Similitudes: Shadow on Ahaz' Sun-Dial

Symbols and Similitudes: Sticks and Staves

Symbols and Similitudes: Tabernacle

Symbols and Similitudes: The Book Thrown Into the Euphrates River

Symbols and Similitudes: The Bronze Serpent, of Christ

Symbols and Similitudes: The Plumb-Line

Symbols and Similitudes: The Rock That Was Struck

Symbols and Similitudes: The Rock That Was Struck, of Christ

Symbols and Similitudes: The Sprinkled Blood, of the Covenant

Symbols and Similitudes: The Star in the East

Symbols and Similitudes: The Tearing of the Curtain in the Temple

Symbols and Similitudes: The Torn Altar

Symbols and Similitudes: The Whole System of Mosaic Rites

Symbols and Similitudes: Thunder on Mount Sinai

Symbols and Similitudes: Trees of Life and Knowledge

Symbols and Similitudes: Two Sticks

Symbols and Similitudes: Waving the Wave offering and Lifting up the Heave offering

Symbols and Similitudes: Wine

Symbols and Similitudes: Wine, of the Atoning Blood

Symbols and Similitudes: Wounding

Symbols and Similitudes: Yokes

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Symbols and Similitudes: The Plumb-Line
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