Chapter 20

Water from the Rock

1. INTRODUCTION TO CHAPTER
1. Division of the Chapter
1. The entrance into Kadesh (Numbers 20:1Then came the children of Israel, even the whole congregation, into the desert of Zin in the first month: and the people abode in Kadesh; and Miriam died there, and was buried there.
   See All...)
2. Water for the congregation (Numbers 20:2-13 [2] And there was no water for the congregation: and they gathered themselves together against Moses and against Aaron. [3] And the people chode with Moses, and spake, saying, Would God that we had died when our brethren died before the LORD! [4] And why have ye brought up the congregation of the LORD into this wilderness, that we and our cattle should die there? [5] And wherefore have ye made us to come up out of Egypt, to bring us in unto this evil place? it is no place of seed, or of figs, or of vines, or of pomegranates; neither is there any water to drink. [6] And Moses and Aaron went from the presence of the assembly unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, and they fell upon their faces: and the glory of the LORD appeared unto them. [7] And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, [8] Take the rod, and gather thou the assembly together, thou, and Aaron thy brother, and speak ye unto the rock before their eyes; and it shall give forth his water, and thou shalt bring forth to them water out of the rock: so thou shalt give the congregation and their beasts drink. [9] And Moses took the rod from before the LORD, as he commanded him. [10] And Moses and Aaron gathered the congregation together before the rock, and he said unto them, Hear now, ye rebels; must we fetch you water out of this rock? [11] And Moses lifted up his hand, and with his rod he smote the rock twice: and the water came out abundantly, and the congregation drank, and their beasts also. [12] And the LORD spake unto Moses and Aaron, Because ye believed me not, to sanctify me in the eyes of the children of Israel, therefore ye shall not bring this congregation into the land which I have given them. [13] This is the water of Meribah; because the children of Israel strove with the LORD, and he was sanctified in them.
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3. The confrontation with Edom (Numbers 20:14-21 [14] And Moses sent messengers from Kadesh unto the king of Edom, Thus saith thy brother Israel, Thou knowest all the travail that hath befallen us: [15] How our fathers went down into Egypt, and we have dwelt in Egypt a long time; and the Egyptians vexed us, and our fathers: [16] And when we cried unto the LORD, he heard our voice, and sent an angel, and hath brought us forth out of Egypt: and, behold, we are in Kadesh, a city in the uttermost of thy border: [17] Let us pass, I pray thee, through thy country: we will not pass through the fields, or through the vineyards, neither will we drink of the water of the wells: we will go by the king's high way, we will not turn to the right hand nor to the left, until we have passed thy borders. [18] And Edom said unto him, Thou shalt not pass by me, lest I come out against thee with the sword. [19] And the children of Israel said unto him, We will go by the high way: and if I and my cattle drink of thy water, then I will pay for it: I will only, without doing anything else, go through on my feet. [20] And he said, Thou shalt not go through. And Edom came out against him with much people, and with a strong hand. [21] Thus Edom refused to give Israel passage through his border: wherefore Israel turned away from him.
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4. The death of Aaron (Numbers 20:22-29 [22] And the children of Israel, even the whole congregation, journeyed from Kadesh, and came unto mount Hor. [23] And the LORD spake unto Moses and Aaron in mount Hor, by the coast of the land of Edom, saying, [24] Aaron shall be gathered unto his people: for he shall not enter into the land which I have given unto the children of Israel, because ye rebelled against my word at the water of Meribah. [25] Take Aaron and Eleazar his son, and bring them up unto mount Hor: [26] And strip Aaron of his garments, and put them upon Eleazar his son: and Aaron shall be gathered unto his people, and shall die there. [27] And Moses did as the LORD commanded: and they went up into mount Hor in the sight of all the congregation. [28] And Moses stripped Aaron of his garments, and put them upon Eleazar his son; and Aaron died there in the top of the mount: and Moses and Eleazar came down from the mount. [29] And when all the congregation saw that Aaron was dead, they mourned for Aaron thirty days, even all the house of Israel.
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2. Troubles Found in this Chapter
1. The death of Miriam (Numbers 20:1Then came the children of Israel, even the whole congregation, into the desert of Zin in the first month: and the people abode in Kadesh; and Miriam died there, and was buried there.
   See All...)
2. No water for the congregation (Numbers 20:2And there was no water for the congregation: and they gathered themselves together against Moses and against Aaron.
   See All...)
3. The people rise up against Moses and Aaron (Numbers 20:2-3 [2] And there was no water for the congregation: and they gathered themselves together against Moses and against Aaron. [3] And the people chode with Moses, and spake, saying, Would God that we had died when our brethren died before the LORD!
   See All...).
4. The Israelites blame the wrong people for being in the wilderness (Numbers 20:4-5 [4] And why have ye brought up the congregation of the LORD into this wilderness, that we and our cattle should die there? [5] And wherefore have ye made us to come up out of Egypt, to bring us in unto this evil place? it is no place of seed, or of figs, or of vines, or of pomegranates; neither is there any water to drink.
   See All...).
5. Moses disobeys God concerning the rock (Numbers 20:10-11 [10] And Moses and Aaron gathered the congregation together before the rock, and he said unto them, Hear now, ye rebels; must we fetch you water out of this rock? [11] And Moses lifted up his hand, and with his rod he smote the rock twice: and the water came out abundantly, and the congregation drank, and their beasts also.
   See All...).
6. The refusal of Edom to allow Israel passage (Numbers 20:18And Edom said unto him, Thou shalt not pass by me, lest I come out against thee with the sword.
   See All...)
7. The death of Aaron (Numbers 20:28And Moses stripped Aaron of his garments, and put them upon Eleazar his son; and Aaron died there in the top of the mount: and Moses and Eleazar came down from the mount.
   See All...)
3. The Time Passed
1. The beginning of Numbers
1. The first day of the second month
2. The second year after they were come out of the land of Egypt
2. Numbers 9
1. The LORD spake unto Moses in the wilderness of Sinai.
2. In the first month
3. The second year after they were come out of the land of Egypt
3. Numbers 10
1. On the twentieth day of the second month
2. In the second year
3. The cloud was taken up from off the tabernacle of the testimony.
4. From Kadesh to the brook Zered (Deuteronomy 2:14And the space in which we came from Kadeshbarnea, until we were come over the brook Zered, was thirty and eight years; until all the generation of the men of war were wasted out from among the host, as the LORD sware unto them.
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1. The space in which we came from Kadesh-barnea, until we were come over the brook Zered, was thirty and eight years.
2. Until all the generation of the men of war were wasted out from among the host, as the LORD sware unto them
5. Numbers 20 (Numbers 33:38And Aaron the priest went up into mount Hor at the commandment of the LORD, and died there, in the fortieth year after the children of Israel were come out of the land of Egypt, in the first day of the fifth month.
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1. Aaron the priest went up into mount Hor at the commandment of the LORD, and died there.
2. In the fortieth year after the children of Israel were come out of the land of Egypt
3. In the first day of the fifth month
2. THE ENTRANCE INTO KADESH (Numbers 20:1Then came the children of Israel, even the whole congregation, into the desert of Zin in the first month: and the people abode in Kadesh; and Miriam died there, and was buried there.
   See All...)
1. The People Abode in Kadesh (Numbers 20:1Then came the children of Israel, even the whole congregation, into the desert of Zin in the first month: and the people abode in Kadesh; and Miriam died there, and was buried there.
   See All...)
1. The Israelites had been in Kadesh (Numbers 12:16And afterward the people removed from Hazeroth, and pitched in the wilderness of Paran.
   See All...; Numbers 13:26And they went and came to Moses, and to Aaron, and to all the congregation of the children of Israel, unto the wilderness of Paran, to Kadesh; and brought back word unto them, and unto all the congregation, and shewed them the fruit of the land.
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2. The Lord told them to turn back and go to the wilderness by the way of the Red Sea (Numbers 14:25(Now the Amalekites and the Canaanites dwelt in the valley.) Tomorrow turn you, and get you into the wilderness by the way of the Red sea.
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3. Some of the Israelites tried to take the land without God’s help and were smitten even unto Hormah (Numbers 14:45Then the Amalekites came down, and the Canaanites which dwelt in that hill, and smote them, and discomfited them, even unto Hormah.
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4. After this they more than likely returned to the camp by the way of the Red Sea.
5. Now the Israelites come back into Kadesh (Numbers 20:1Then came the children of Israel, even the whole congregation, into the desert of Zin in the first month: and the people abode in Kadesh; and Miriam died there, and was buried there.
   See All...).
6. A few thoughts concerning Kadesh
1. Kadesh means holy or holiness.
2. Kadesh is also called by the name Enmishpat (which means fount of judgment) in Genesis 14:7And they returned, and came to Enmishpat, which is Kadesh, and smote all the country of the Amalekites, and also the Amorites, that dwelt in Hazezontamar.
   See All....
3. Kadesh is also called by the name of Kadesh-barnea.
4. Kadesh is a place of great failure.
1. The Israelites gave the evil report concerning the land of Canaan in Kadesh.
2. Miriam died in Kadesh.
3. Moses smote the rock in disobedience in Kadesh.
4. Aaron died in Kadesh.
5. Kadesh was also a place of great victory (Joshua 10:40-43 [40] So Joshua smote all the country of the hills, and of the south, and of the vale, and of the springs, and all their kings: he left none remaining, but utterly destroyed all that breathed, as the LORD God of Israel commanded. [41] And Joshua smote them from Kadeshbarnea even unto Gaza, and all the country of Goshen, even unto Gibeon. [42] And all these kings and their land did Joshua take at one time, because the LORD God of Israel fought for Israel. [43] And Joshua returned, and all Israel with him, unto the camp to Gilgal.
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2. The Death of Miriam (Numbers 20:1Then came the children of Israel, even the whole congregation, into the desert of Zin in the first month: and the people abode in Kadesh; and Miriam died there, and was buried there.
   See All...)
1. She had led the women (Exodus 15:20-21 [20] And Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took a timbrel in her hand; and all the women went out after her with timbrels and with dances. [21] And Miriam answered them, Sing ye to the LORD, for he hath triumphed gloriously; the horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea.
   See All...).
2. The children of Israel would not journey until she returned from leprosy (Numbers 12:15-16 [15] And Miriam was shut out from the camp seven days: and the people journeyed not till Miriam was brought in again. [16] And afterward the people removed from Hazeroth, and pitched in the wilderness of Paran.
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3. She was considered one of the leaders of the Exodus (Micah 6:4For I brought thee up out of the land of Egypt, and redeemed thee out of the house of servants; and I sent before thee Moses, Aaron, and Miriam.
   See All...).
3. WATER FOR THE CONGREGATION (Numbers 20:2-13 [2] And there was no water for the congregation: and they gathered themselves together against Moses and against Aaron. [3] And the people chode with Moses, and spake, saying, Would God that we had died when our brethren died before the LORD! [4] And why have ye brought up the congregation of the LORD into this wilderness, that we and our cattle should die there? [5] And wherefore have ye made us to come up out of Egypt, to bring us in unto this evil place? it is no place of seed, or of figs, or of vines, or of pomegranates; neither is there any water to drink. [6] And Moses and Aaron went from the presence of the assembly unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, and they fell upon their faces: and the glory of the LORD appeared unto them. [7] And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, [8] Take the rod, and gather thou the assembly together, thou, and Aaron thy brother, and speak ye unto the rock before their eyes; and it shall give forth his water, and thou shalt bring forth to them water out of the rock: so thou shalt give the congregation and their beasts drink. [9] And Moses took the rod from before the LORD, as he commanded him. [10] And Moses and Aaron gathered the congregation together before the rock, and he said unto them, Hear now, ye rebels; must we fetch you water out of this rock? [11] And Moses lifted up his hand, and with his rod he smote the rock twice: and the water came out abundantly, and the congregation drank, and their beasts also. [12] And the LORD spake unto Moses and Aaron, Because ye believed me not, to sanctify me in the eyes of the children of Israel, therefore ye shall not bring this congregation into the land which I have given them. [13] This is the water of Meribah; because the children of Israel strove with the LORD, and he was sanctified in them.
   See All...)
1. The Murmuring of the People (Numbers 20:2-5 [2] And there was no water for the congregation: and they gathered themselves together against Moses and against Aaron. [3] And the people chode with Moses, and spake, saying, Would God that we had died when our brethren died before the LORD! [4] And why have ye brought up the congregation of the LORD into this wilderness, that we and our cattle should die there? [5] And wherefore have ye made us to come up out of Egypt, to bring us in unto this evil place? it is no place of seed, or of figs, or of vines, or of pomegranates; neither is there any water to drink.
   See All...)
1. The reason for the murmuring – no water (Numbers 20:2And there was no water for the congregation: and they gathered themselves together against Moses and against Aaron.
   See All...)
2. The recipient of their murmuring
1. Moses (Numbers 20:3And the people chode with Moses, and spake, saying, Would God that we had died when our brethren died before the LORD!
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2. The LORD (Numbers 20:13This is the water of Meribah; because the children of Israel strove with the LORD, and he was sanctified in them.
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3. The reality of their murmuring
1. Their marred viewpoint
1. We wished we would have died when our brethren died.
1. Could be a reference to the death of the ten spies (Numbers 14:37Even those men that did bring up the evil report upon the land, died by the plague before the LORD.
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2. Could be a reference to the death of Korah (Numbers 16:16-40 [16] And Moses said unto Korah, Be thou and all thy company before the LORD, thou, and they, and Aaron, to morrow: [17] And take every man his censer, and put incense in them, and bring ye before the LORD every man his censer, two hundred and fifty censers; thou also, and Aaron, each of you his censer. [18] And they took every man his censer, and put fire in them, and laid incense thereon, and stood in the door of the tabernacle of the congregation with Moses and Aaron. [19] And Korah gathered all the congregation against them unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation: and the glory of the LORD appeared unto all the congregation. [20] And the LORD spake unto Moses and unto Aaron, saying, [21] Separate yourselves from among this congregation, that I may consume them in a moment. [22] And they fell upon their faces, and said, O God, the God of the spirits of all flesh, shall one man sin, and wilt thou be wroth with all the congregation? [23] And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, [24] Speak unto the congregation, saying, Get you up from about the tabernacle of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram. [25] And Moses rose up and went unto Dathan and Abiram; and the elders of Israel followed him. [26] And he spake unto the congregation, saying, Depart, I pray you, from the tents of these wicked men, and touch nothing of their's, lest ye be consumed in all their sins. [27] So they gat up from the tabernacle of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram, on every side: and Dathan and Abiram came out, and stood in the door of their tents, and their wives, and their sons, and their little children. [28] And Moses said, Hereby ye shall know that the LORD hath sent me to do all these works; for I have not done them of mine own mind. [29] If these men die the common death of all men, or if they be visited after the visitation of all men; then the LORD hath not sent me. [30] But if the LORD make a new thing, and the earth open her mouth, and swallow them up, with all that appertain unto them, and they go down quick into the pit; then ye shall understand that these men have provoked the LORD. [31] And it came to pass, as he had made an end of speaking all these words, that the ground clave asunder that was under them: [32] And the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed them up, and their houses, and all the men that appertained unto Korah, and all their goods. [33] They, and all that appertained to them, went down alive into the pit, and the earth closed upon them: and they perished from among the congregation. [34] And all Israel that were round about them fled at the cry of them: for they said, Lest the earth swallow us up also. [35] And there came out a fire from the LORD, and consumed the two hundred and fifty men that offered incense. [36] And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, [37] Speak unto Eleazar the son of Aaron the priest, that he take up the censers out of the burning, and scatter thou the fire yonder; for they are hallowed. [38] The censers of these sinners against their own souls, let them make them broad plates for a covering of the altar: for they offered them before the LORD, therefore they are hallowed: and they shall be a sign unto the children of Israel. [39] And Eleazar the priest took the brasen censers, wherewith they that were burnt had offered; and they were made broad plates for a covering of the altar: [40] To be a memorial unto the children of Israel, that no stranger, which is not of the seed of Aaron, come near to offer incense before the LORD; that he be not as Korah, and as his company: as the LORD said to him by the hand of Moses.
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2. They think Moses is the reason they are in the wilderness.
2. The truth
1. They obviously could have followed in either of the above mentioned rebellions and received judgment from God.  These people, however, must have kept their mouths shut at that point.
2. They could have already been in possession of a land flowing with milk and honey, but they could not trust God enough.
2. Moses and Aaron Go to the Lord (Numbers 20:6-8 [6] And Moses and Aaron went from the presence of the assembly unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, and they fell upon their faces: and the glory of the LORD appeared unto them. [7] And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, [8] Take the rod, and gather thou the assembly together, thou, and Aaron thy brother, and speak ye unto the rock before their eyes; and it shall give forth his water, and thou shalt bring forth to them water out of the rock: so thou shalt give the congregation and their beasts drink.
   See All...).
1. Moses and Aaron speak to God (Numbers 20:6And Moses and Aaron went from the presence of the assembly unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, and they fell upon their faces: and the glory of the LORD appeared unto them.
   See All...).
1. Moses and Aaron go from the presence of the people.
2. Moses and Aaron go into the presence of God.
3. They fell upon their faces.
4. The glory of the Lord appeared.
2. God speaks to Moses and Aaron (Numbers 20:7-8 [7] And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, [8] Take the rod, and gather thou the assembly together, thou, and Aaron thy brother, and speak ye unto the rock before their eyes; and it shall give forth his water, and thou shalt bring forth to them water out of the rock: so thou shalt give the congregation and their beasts drink.
   See All...).
1. Take the rod.
2. Gather the assembly together.
3. Speak unto the rock before their eyes.
4. It shall give forth water.
5. Thou shalt bring forth to them water out of the rock.
6. Thou shalt give the congregation and their beasts drink.
3. The Disobedience of Moses and Aaron (Numbers 20:9-11 [9] And Moses took the rod from before the LORD, as he commanded him. [10] And Moses and Aaron gathered the congregation together before the rock, and he said unto them, Hear now, ye rebels; must we fetch you water out of this rock? [11] And Moses lifted up his hand, and with his rod he smote the rock twice: and the water came out abundantly, and the congregation drank, and their beasts also.
   See All...)
1. Moses took the rod as he was commanded (Numbers 20:9And Moses took the rod from before the LORD, as he commanded him.
   See All...).
2. Moses and Aaron gathered the congregation together before the rock as they were commanded (Numbers 20:10And Moses and Aaron gathered the congregation together before the rock, and he said unto them, Hear now, ye rebels; must we fetch you water out of this rock?
   See All...).
3. Moses explodes because of his bitterness (Numbers 20:10And Moses and Aaron gathered the congregation together before the rock, and he said unto them, Hear now, ye rebels; must we fetch you water out of this rock?
   See All...).
4. Moses smites the rock twice instead of speaking to it as he was commanded to do (Numbers 20:11And Moses lifted up his hand, and with his rod he smote the rock twice: and the water came out abundantly, and the congregation drank, and their beasts also.
   See All...).
5. God in His grace abides faithful by giving the water (Numbers 20:11And Moses lifted up his hand, and with his rod he smote the rock twice: and the water came out abundantly, and the congregation drank, and their beasts also.
   See All...).
4. Interesting Facts about this Rock
1. The rock
1. There must have been a certain rock.
2. The scriptures address it as “the rock” (Exodus 17:6Behold, I will stand before thee there upon the rock in Horeb; and thou shalt smite the rock, and there shall come water out of it, that the people may drink. And Moses did so in the sight of the elders of Israel.
   See All...; Numbers 20:8Take the rod, and gather thou the assembly together, thou, and Aaron thy brother, and speak ye unto the rock before their eyes; and it shall give forth his water, and thou shalt bring forth to them water out of the rock: so thou shalt give the congregation and their beasts drink.
   See All..., 11; Deuteronomy 8:15Who led thee through that great and terrible wilderness, wherein were fiery serpents, and scorpions, and drought, where there was no water; who brought thee forth water out of the rock of flint;
   See All...; Nehemiah 9:15And gavest them bread from heaven for their hunger, and broughtest forth water for them out of the rock for their thirst, and promisedst them that they should go in to possess the land which thou hadst sworn to give them.
   See All...; Psalm 78:15-16 [15] He clave the rocks in the wilderness, and gave them drink as out of the great depths. [16] He brought streams also out of the rock, and caused waters to run down like rivers.
   See All...; Psalm 105:41He opened the rock, and the waters gushed out; they ran in the dry places like a river.
   See All...; Psalm 114:8Which turned the rock into a standing water, the flint into a fountain of waters.
   See All...; Isaiah 48:21And they thirsted not when he led them through the deserts: he caused the waters to flow out of the rock for them: he clave the rock also, and the waters gushed out.
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2. The rock seemed to have followed them.
1. In Exodus the rock is located in Horeb (Exodus 17:6Behold, I will stand before thee there upon the rock in Horeb; and thou shalt smite the rock, and there shall come water out of it, that the people may drink. And Moses did so in the sight of the elders of Israel.
   See All...).
2. In Numbers the rock is located in Kadesh (Numbers 20:1Then came the children of Israel, even the whole congregation, into the desert of Zin in the first month: and the people abode in Kadesh; and Miriam died there, and was buried there.
   See All..., 14).
3. The Bible says the rock followed them (1 Corinthians 10:4And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.
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3. The vastness of the water received from the rock
1. The congregation drank and their beasts also (Numbers 20:11And Moses lifted up his hand, and with his rod he smote the rock twice: and the water came out abundantly, and the congregation drank, and their beasts also.
   See All...).
2. Streams and rivers (Psalm 78:15-16 [15] He clave the rocks in the wilderness, and gave them drink as out of the great depths. [16] He brought streams also out of the rock, and caused waters to run down like rivers.
   See All...; Psalm 105:41He opened the rock, and the waters gushed out; they ran in the dry places like a river.
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3. Standing water or a fountain of waters (Psalm 114:8Which turned the rock into a standing water, the flint into a fountain of waters.
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5. The Typology of the Rock (Numbers 20:8-11 [8] Take the rod, and gather thou the assembly together, thou, and Aaron thy brother, and speak ye unto the rock before their eyes; and it shall give forth his water, and thou shalt bring forth to them water out of the rock: so thou shalt give the congregation and their beasts drink. [9] And Moses took the rod from before the LORD, as he commanded him. [10] And Moses and Aaron gathered the congregation together before the rock, and he said unto them, Hear now, ye rebels; must we fetch you water out of this rock? [11] And Moses lifted up his hand, and with his rod he smote the rock twice: and the water came out abundantly, and the congregation drank, and their beasts also.
   See All...; 1 Corinthians 10:1-5 [1] Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea; [2] And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea; [3] And did all eat the same spiritual meat; [4] And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ. [5] But with many of them God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness.
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1. The smiting of the rock (Exodus 17:1-7 [1] And all the congregation of the children of Israel journeyed from the wilderness of Sin, after their journeys, according to the commandment of the LORD, and pitched in Rephidim: and there was no water for the people to drink. [2] Wherefore the people did chide with Moses, and said, Give us water that we may drink. And Moses said unto them, Why chide ye with me? wherefore do ye tempt the LORD? [3] And the people thirsted there for water; and the people murmured against Moses, and said, Wherefore is this that thou hast brought us up out of Egypt, to kill us and our children and our cattle with thirst? [4] And Moses cried unto the LORD, saying, What shall I do unto this people? they be almost ready to stone me. [5] And the LORD said unto Moses, Go on before the people, and take with thee of the elders of Israel; and thy rod, wherewith thou smotest the river, take in thine hand, and go. [6] Behold, I will stand before thee there upon the rock in Horeb; and thou shalt smite the rock, and there shall come water out of it, that the people may drink. And Moses did so in the sight of the elders of Israel. [7] And he called the name of the place Massah, and Meribah, because of the chiding of the children of Israel, and because they tempted the LORD, saying, Is the LORD among us, or not?
   See All...) was a picture of the sufferings and crucifixion of Jesus Christ (Isaiah 53:4-6 [4] Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. [5] But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; 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 hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.
   See All...).
2. Jesus only needed to die once (Hebrews 10:10-14 [10] By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. [11] And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins: [12] But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God; [13] From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool. [14] For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.
   See All...), so the rock only needed to be smitten once.
3. After the initial smiting, the rock only needed to be spoken to in order to receive the water from it (Romans 10:13For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
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4. The water from the rock was a picture of everlasting life through faith in Jesus Christ (John 4:10-14 [10] Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water. [11] The woman saith unto him, Sir, thou hast nothing to draw with, and the well is deep: from whence then hast thou that living water? [12] Art thou greater than our father Jacob, which gave us the well, and drank thereof himself, and his children, and his cattle? [13] Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again: [14] But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.
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5. The rock was in Horeb at the appointed time and it was in Kadesh at the appointed time, just like our Lord Jesus is always available to supply our need for salvation or otherwise.
6. The rock had water within itself when there was no water anywhere else to be found.  The Lord Jesus said in the scriptures that He has life within Himself (John 5:26For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself;
   See All...).  In Adam all die but in Christ shall all be made alive.
7. When the rock was smitten, a fountain opened up (Psalm 114:8Which turned the rock into a standing water, the flint into a fountain of waters.
   See All...).  When Jesus Christ was crucified, out of his side came blood and water (John 19:34But one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and forthwith came there out blood and water.
   See All...).
8. The rock provided water to the Israelites in Numbers even though Moses disobeyed a direct command of God.  Jesus Christ remains faithful to us even when we are disobedient (2 Timothy 2:13If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself.
   See All...).