Not only did God tell Moses to strike the rock, instead of the people, but, wonder of wonders, the rock that was struck poured forth water to quench their thirst! What a miracle! The Israelites grumbled and deserved judgment and condemnation, yet God provided a substitute - a rock was struck in their place, and instead of punishment, they were blessed with drinkable water! They only needed to come to the rock, and they could drink to their heart's content!
The New Testament helps us to understand this entire story as a picture of the cross of Jesus Christ:
"All of them ate the same spiritual food, and all of them drank the same spiritual water. For they drank from the spiritual rock that traveled with them, and that rock was Christ" (1 Corinthians 10:3-4 NLT).
"That rock was Christ!" "That rock" that was broken open and dashed to pieces was Christ. "That rock" that produced water for the thirsty sinners in the desert was Christ! Yes, the rock Moses hit in the wilderness was symbolic of Christ, who would die to save us from our sins and quench our thirsty hearts.
And here is where we can wash at the cross, applying the story to ourselves: We have sinned as the Israelites did. We have grumbled about our circumstances, other people, and even God, and frequently our discontent has led us to involvement in other sins. According to James, we are the ones who should be judged, struck, and punished, condemned to death, and executed.
Question 3. According to Exodus 17:5-6 NLT, how does your sin affect God?
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But when coming in judgment, God turned to a Substitute instead. In love for you, He struck the Son of His love and punished Jesus in your place. Jesus, ever the Friend of Sinners, went to the cross willingly for you.
With a heart full of love, Jesus endured the striking of the Roman soldiers, the piercing of His hands and feet. He even endured His own Father striking Him in wrath, for “it was the Lord’s will to crush Him and cause Him to suffer” (Isaiah 53:10 NIV).
On the cross, Jesus was struck and broke open, crushed, and dashed to pieces for you. He willingly endured punishment and was pierced for you. In love, Jesus paid for you. In grace, He died for you. “When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners” (Romans 5:6).
Now you are free from condemnation (Romans 8:1) because Jesus was condemned in your place. You are pardoned and forgiven out of love. You will live forever because Jesus died and rose again. Your slate is wiped clean, your guilt entirely removed, and you are now free!
Question 4. As you look at the cross, as you consider all that Jesus endured out of love for you, what thoughts do you have? Please share.
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Molly's answer to the above question is precious:
"Because of my sin, I am the one who should be "judged, struck, and punished, condemned to death, and executed." I think about the grace of God, and how each one of us deserves punishment in hell, but that he has given us away to be reconciled to him and not have to suffer the punishment of eternal separation from him. It makes the worries and cares of today and the things of this world diminish they're important, and reminds me of what truly matters. That helps me not to focus on the things here and now but rather on eternal things. It helps me to endure physical pain, and causes me to feel sorry about the times when I overindulge My flesh to satisfy boredom, loneliness, anger, worry or to be entertained."