Exodus 17:1-8

⁵ And the LORD said to Moses, “Pass on before the people, taking with you some of the elders of Israel, and take in your hand the staff with which you struck the Nile, and go. When we studied the role of elders in the church last January, we noticed that it went all the way back to the Exodus. God has always used individuals to lead, but these individuals are not above anyone or over one another. Moses is one of them. He is in the lead, but we will see later that the Spirit that is on Him will be on the other elders as well. (Numbers 11:17[notes1] )

With such a large group, not everyone would see what was about to take place. The event will be very significant, so the elders will be a witness to convey it to the rest of the congregation. In that sense, the church is the same today, only we have the Great Shepherd, Jesus, as the head Shepherd. The elders serve the congregation at His leading. (Hebrews 13:17[notes2] )

The same rod that brought judgment on the Egyptian gods and turned the Nile water into blood is now about to provide water in the desert. God told Moses, ⁶ Behold, I will stand before you there on the rock at Horeb, and you shall strike the rock, and water shall come out of it, and the people will drink.” And Moses did so, in the sight of the elders of Israel.

It sounds like the cloud went and hovered over the rock at Horeb to show Moses which rock to strike. The LORD was definitely among them! In front of the elders as witnesses, Moses struck that rock and water poured out in sufficient quantity for the Israelites.

The Apostle Paul tells us this was another picture of Christ. (1Corinthians 10:4[notes3] ) The Old Testament refers to God as our rock. (Genesis 49:24[notes4] ) It implies an unchanging place or firm foundation on which to build.

But what does it mean that the rock was struck with that rod of judgment and from it came a river of water? Halfway chronologically between Moses and Jesus came Isaiah, who filled in the picture. He prophesied, ⁴ Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. ⁵ But he was wounded for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his stripes we are healed. ⁶ All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all. (Isaiah 53:4-6 ESV)

That rock, Christ Jesus, had our iniquities placed upon Him, and because He took our place, He was smitten by God’s rod of  judgment that we might be saved. The same Hebrew word is used in both texts, naka, to smite. The same Hebrew words to strike and smite were used in applying the blood to the doorframe of the Israelites’ homes. They were struck and smitten with the blood of the lamb. (Exodus 12:22[notes5] )

As Moses struck the rock before witnesses that were to convey what happened to others, so Jesus was struck and raised with witnesses that were to proclaim it to others. (Acts 2:32[notes6] ) As water that gave life to the thirsty multitude flowed in abundance from the rock, so the water of life flows from Jesus springing up within the one who places their trust in Him. (John 4:14[notes7] ) He was struck once for us all that we might live and not die. (Hebrews 10:12-14[notes8] )

17 And I will come down and talk with you there. And I will take some of the Spirit that is on you and put it on them, and they shall bear the burden of the people with you, so that you may not bear it yourself alone.

[notes2] Hebrews 13:17 (ESV)

17 Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.

[notes3] 1 Corinthians 10:4 (ESV)

4 and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank from the spiritual Rock that followed them, and the Rock was Christ.

[notes4] Genesis 49:24 (ESV)

24 yet his bow remained unmoved; his arms were made agile by the hands of the Mighty One of Jacob (from there is the Shepherd, the Stone of Israel),

[notes5] Exodus 12:22 (ESV)

22 Take a bunch of hyssop and dip it in the blood that is in the basin, and touch the lintel and the two doorposts with the blood that is in the basin. None of you shall go out of the door of his house until the morning.

[notes6] Acts 2:32 (ESV)

32 This Jesus God raised up, and of that we all are witnesses.

[notes7] John 4:14 (ESV)

14 but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty forever. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”

[notes8] Hebrews 10:12-14 (ESV)

12 But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, 13 waiting from that time until his enemies should be made a footstool for his feet. 14 For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified.

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