In chapter 17 of Exodus, the Israelites were traveling through the desert a few weeks after crossing the Red Sea and and they experienced their second water shortage.
[They] camped in Rephidim; but there was no water for the people to drink. Therefore the people contended with Moses, and said, “Give us water, that we may drink.” So Moses said to them, “Why do you contend with me? Why do you tempt the LORD?” And the people thirsted there for water, and the people complained against Moses, and said, “Why is it you have brought us up out of Egypt, to kill us and our children and our livestock with thirst?” So Moses cried out to the Lord, saying, “What shall I do with this people? They are almost ready to stone me!” And the Lord said to Moses, “Go on before the people, and take with you some of the elders of Israel. Also take in your hand your rod with which you struck the river, and go. 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.” And Moses did so in the sight of the elders of Israel. (Exodus 17:2-6)1
Once again, the waters flowed for God’s people!
The rod that God told Moses to strike the rock with was the rod he used to strike the Nile River and turn it into blood, which was the first plague against the Egyptians.2 Blood signifies judgment, and that rod was a rod of judgement.
What does this mean for us? Jesus (the fulfiller of the law) is saying to Moses (who represents the law), “Strike Me with the rod of judgment.” The judgment that should have fallen on us because of sin, fell upon Jesus, the Rock of our salvation.3 He took the blows for us, and He took away all of the handwriting against us when the nails were hammered into His flesh. The rod was the cross. The cross struck the Rock and mercy flowed towards us in living rivers of the Spirit of God! He was smitten at the cross to give us the refreshing waters of the Spirit.
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.” But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive… (John 7:37-39)
(from pages 179-180 of Unveiling Jesus)
Want more from Tricia Gunn? Check out excerpts from the Unveiling Jesus 20-part series!
Unveiling Jesus, by Tricia Gunn, is a verse by verse study of the pure gospel of grace. It’s an amazing journey of love, identity, and freedom in Christ.
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1All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New King James Version. Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission.
2Exodus 7:14-25
32 Corinthians 10:4
