Exodus 17

That Rock Was Christ

Tell the story

The apostle Paul tells us in 1 Cor 10

that all Israel was baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea,

that all ate the same spiritual food and drank the same spiritual drank,

for they drank of that spiritual rock that followed them,

and that rock was Christ.

Why does Paul say this?

Why does he call the rock "Christ."

Is Paul really saying that the rock was the Messiah?

Yes.

If we would understand the OT correctly,

we must understand that the OT is all about Christ.

And we must learn from the apostles how to read the OT.

Why does Paul see that this rock is Christ?

Paul recognizes that the only spiritual food and drink that can bring life is Christ.

The OT saints were saved in precisely the same way we are

-by the grace of God in Christ.

And so therefore the OT sacraments convey the same grace-the same Christ-

that the NT sacraments do.

Psalm 78 reflects at length on this episode:

Ps 78:12-35

(God was their rock)

Ps 105:41

Ps 114:8

Is 48:21 (return from exile portrayed as new Exodus)

Neh. 9:20-21 (note v36-37)

Paul's rabbinic training would have emphasized that Israel was still in Exile.

Yes, they lived in the land and had the sacrifices in the Temple,

But they were still under foreign powers.

Israel, the Son of God, was not ruling over the nations as the prophets had foretold.

But when Messiah came,

Israel would drink of those spiritual waters that signified the blessing of God.

Jesus deals with this in John 7:37-39.

(John 6 and the bread from heaven; John 7 and the living waters from the Rock)

[Give context from the water ritual in the temple]

Jesus is claiming to be the rock.

(Also the image of Ezekiel's temple)

Because the rock in Exodus is the presence of Yahweh with his people (17:7)

This is later signified in the temple-and finally brought to its fulfillment in Christ.

It is important to see how the Scripture uses this episode to speak to the people of God.

Psalm 78 uses it as an example of how Israel has consistently failed to believe God

78:32-"In spite of this they still sinned, and did not believe in his wondrous works"

It is a call to repentance.

Remember what God does when his people complain and grumble against him!

But later it goes on to say that God chose "David his servant" to shepherd Israel.

In other words, the failure of Israel in the wilderness points to the need for a king.

We are so rebellious and stubborn, that we need someone

who will go before us to defeat our enemies

and bring the blessing of God to us.

This is why Paul uses the water from the rock in 1 Corinthians 10.

In the hour of testing, do not test God.

Israel was hungry, so God gave them food.

Israel was thirsty, so God gave them drink.

God provided for Israel a way to endure temptation.

God provided grace in their hour of need.

God has always provided a way of escape for his people.

But Israel did not believe Christ.

Instead Israel tempted Christ.

In your hour of testing, what will you do?

Remember that God is one who has placed you in that situation.

Israel was in the wilderness because God had led them there.

Moses was merely the instrument in his hand.

Even so, Christ has led his church in such a way

as to place you exactly where he wants you.

He is testing you, to see what is in your hearts.

Will you believe his promises?

Will you obey his commands?

Or will you grumble and complain and turn to your own devices?

Remember that Moses himself failed.

Numbers 20

the rock followed them

If you have, like Moses, failed to believe God,

and not treated him as holy by disobeying him,

Then repent!