Water from the rock
Series: Follow me | Bible text: Exodus 17:1–7; Numbers 20:1–13
Twice during the 40-year desert period, the LORD God let water flow from a rock and used it to supply a nation of millions with their animals. Because the actions of Moses in Cades (= be holy) did not comply with God’s instructions, he was not allowed to enter the Promised Land. This seems very harsh at first, but on closer inspection it is understandable. The episode with the water from the rock is an illustration of how a follower deals with Jesus.
The people of Israel spent 40 years in the desert between their captivity in Egypt and the Promised Land. The procurement of the necessary food and water was a mammoth task, which Yahweh, the proper name of the God of Israel, reliably took care of. The water supply was delayed twicewhich can quickly lead to dehydration in the heat of the Oriental desert. Both times, the people longed to return to Egypt: «Why did you lead us out of Egypt and bring us to this terrible place? There is no grain, figs, grapes, pomegranates or drinking water here» (Numbers 20:5 NLB). There was a longing in their hearts for grain, figs, grapes, pomegranates and drinking water. On closer inspection, we quickly realise that Egypt could not offer this blessing. The Egypt of that time is not the same as today’s holiday paradise Hurghada. It was the site of centuries of captivity and brutal repression.
The temptation of the people
Moses turns straight to the Lord and wants to know what he should do with this people. «Go before the people with some of the Israelite leaders. Take your staff with you, with which you struck the Nile. I will stand before you on a rock at Horeb (= Sinai). Strike the rock. Then water will flow out and the people will be able to drink […]» (Genesis 17:5f NLB). The miracle that now follows is based on a natural phenomenon. God uses what happens in nature. The rocks of the Sinai massif often have cavities behind them in the mountain. These cavities are filled by spring and rain water. The moment a thinner layer of rock in front of them is knocked away, a huge amount of water can pour out of the rock. Moses strikes the rock with the staff with which he had also struck the Nile when the water turned to blood. So much water poured into the wadi that all the people and animals had enough to drink.
St Paul interprets this miracle a few centuries later: «They all ate the same food that God miraculously gave them and drank from the rock given to them by God that accompanied them, and that rock was Christ» (1 Corinthians 10:3f NLB). Jesus Christ is the rock from which living water flows. Living water means blessing, meaningfulness, significance, purpose in life, joy, peace. It is precisely what a person’s heart longs for: grain, figs, grapes, pomegranates and drinking water.
Like the rock in the Sinai Mountains, Jesus also had to be beaten so that the refreshing water could flow. Jesus was nailed to the cross. Now the water flows. Everyone is invited to drink from it.
When the people argued about the lack of water, Moses said to them: «[…] Why do you quarrel with me? Why do you tempt the LORD?» (Exodus 17:2 LUT). Later Moses calls the place Massa (= trial, temptation) and Meriba (= quarrel). The temptation is brought to the point: «Is the Lord among us or not?», that is: Can He help us or not? This question is probably asked thousands of times a day in emergency situations around the world: And now, where is God? This God once gave himself to Moses with the name Yahweh presented what «I am the one who is with you» means. In other words: I am always there. The real question is therefore much more: «Are we with Yahweh or not?» Thus, times of adversity turn out to be trials of man and not of God.
The fate of Moses
The second water episode occurred in Cades (= be holy). New place, same problem. Despite decades of experience that Yahweh provides the best, they struggle again. But Yahweh is there! Moses and his brother Aaron again head straight for the Tent of Meeting, where they meet Him. He sets a good example for us. The instructions from Yahweh differ in two respects: Moses is not to strike the rock, but to speak to it, and he is not to take the staff with which he brought judgement on Egypt, but the priestly staff of Aaron from the sanctuary (Exodus 20:9).
Moses» negligent handling of this instruction is fatal:
- He hit the rockPerhaps it was force of habit, perhaps he allowed himself to be provoked by the mutinous people and guided by his negative emotions. As mentioned, the rock is a symbol for Jesus. Jesus was once beaten. «Christ died in the same way only once as a sacrifice to take away the sins of many people. He will come again, but not once more because of our guilt, but he will bring salvation to all those who are eagerly awaiting his return» (Hebrews 9:28 NLB). Jesus was nailed to the cross once and thus created the conditions for a friendly relationship with a water connection. For us today, if we want to drink from the water that Jesus offers, it is through communication and relationship. You and I are invited to talk to the rock.
- He used the wrong stick: There are two staffs in the context of Moses: the staff of Moses and the staff of Aaron. The rod of Moses is the rod of judgement; it is the rod with which the river in Egypt was struck, turning water into blood (Exodus 17:5). The rod of judgement was used on the cross of Golgotha when God struck Christ for the guilt of others. The LORD had commanded Moses to use the priestly staff of Aaron. «And Moses took the staff from the place before the Lordas he had commanded him» (Exodus 20:9 ELB). But then: «And Moses raised his hand and struck the rock with his staff twice, and much water came out, and the congregation drank and their cattle» (Deuteronomy 20:11 ELB). Dealing with Jesus is not primarily about judgement, but about friendship and relationship. Jesus is precisely not the strict judge, but the priest who sacrificed his life so that we humans can now have free access to God. This should characterise the life of a Christian. What counts before God is being and not doing.
- He became presumptuous: «Afterwards, he and Aaron had the people gather in front of the rock. «Listen, you stubborn people,» cried Moses, «what do you think? Become we let water gush out of this rock for you?» » (Numbers 20:10 NLB). No, Moses and Aaron couldn’t do it. Only God has this power.
And – although some things went wrong here – the water flowed. All the Israelites and the animals were given enough to drink. This shows the generosity of Jesus. We don’t have to do everything right to get grain, figs, grapes, pomegranates and drinking water. Speak to the rock and the water will flow!
Learning to let go
The water came out, but Moses still had to bear the consequences of his actions. Moses has done such a good job and now he is excluded from the Promised Land because of a trivial matter. That seems inappropriate at first. It is important to say that Moses was not separated from God. He remained a friend of God. Why was he no longer allowed to enter the Promised Land?
It is no coincidence that this story took place in Cades (= to be holy). Holy means majestic, sorted out, awe-inspiring, completely different. God took Moses into his confidence like a friend. They held daily meetings together in the Tent of Meeting. Such closeness also brings with it a certain obligation. The normal reaction to the holiness of God is reverence, respect and obedience. Moses lost this attitude in this situation. Moses became arrogant. The LORD of hosts is not a God that we can desecrate for our own purposes. God does not become the «mate next door». HE is the one who always was, who is and who will be. HE created the whole universe through his word. He saw you before the foundation of the world.
Whether we like it or not, Moses was no longer allowed to enter the Promised Land. Before his death, he climbs Mount Nebo at God’s command, looks into the land that God will give to the Israelites as their own and dies (Deuteronomy 32:48–52). This event makes it clear: responsibility is given for a time. We should fulfil it, but also be able to relinquish it. I live the period of life available to me consciously. And can then hand my life back into the hands of God. Those who believe in eternal life do not have to achieve everything in this short time on earth! That is a relief.
Martin Luther King refers to Moses in his speech on 3 April 1968, the evening before his assassination: «[…] I have been to the top of the mountain. I am not worried. Like everyone elserI’d like to live a long time […] But I’m not worried about that now. I would likecI only had to do God’s will. He allowed me to climb the mountain. And I went upbI have seen. I have seen the Promised Land. I may not get there with you. But I want you to know tonight that we, as one people, will get to the Promised Land. And that’s why I’m happy tonight. I’m not worried about anything. I fear no one. My eyes have seen the glory of the Lord.»
The Promised Land also symbolises the new world in the presence of God. Like Moses, we can already catch a glimpse of this glorious splendour every now and then. Those who are travelling with this hope can let go; be it of responsibilities, people or memories. However, it must not be a consolation for life after death, but a motivation to work for peace, joy and justice now.
Possible questions for the small group
Read the Bible text: Genesis 20:1–13
- «Is the Lord among us or not?», you know this temptation in difficult times. How do you deal with it?
- Why was Moses not allowed into the Promised Land? To what extent do you understand the Lord’s decision? Did you learn comprehensible reasons from the sermon? What does this mean for our relationship with God?
- What does the way the Lord ordered the rock to be treated say about Jesus Christ?
- Moses was allowed to let go of responsibility and give up his dreams. Are there areas in your life that you are allowed to let go of?
- Moses climbed the mountain with the perspective of approaching the greatest encounter. Do you also live with this perspective? What influence does this have on your life?
