“I will be standing there in front of you on the rock in Horeb. Strike the rock, and the water will flow from it for the people to drink. Moses did this, in the sight of the elders of Israel.”
Exodus 17:4-6 (NAB)
When I first read this story I thought the point of the story was to teach us not to complain, after all that Moses endured by the constant whining of the Israelites. On this day, they blamed Moses, saying, “Why did you bring us out of Egypt to have us die of thirst?”
Moses interceded for the people and simply did what God told him to do. When they were hungry, God sent them manna, which was bread from heaven. When they got bored after eating manna every day, God sent them a flock of quail, so that they had meat to eat.
The Israelites consumed spiritual food and drink, and yet they found something new to complain about each day. This story shows that as self absorbed and impatient as mankind can be, God is steadfast in His patience, love and faithfulness to all of us.
In today’s scripture, the people complained of thirst, since there was no water in the desert, where they were camping. God responded to their cries, by telling Moses to strike a certain rock at Horeb, saying,
“I will be standing there in front of you and water will flow from it.”
There’s a familiar compassion in those words that God spoke to Moses. They’re words of assurance and comfort, that He will be standing in front of him, as He sends them water from a rock. It sounds a lot like something Jesus once said, “Let anyone who thirsts come to me and drink.” (John 7:37)
Maybe, that’s because the divine person who stood with Moses at the rock of Horeb, was Jesus.
Paul told the Corinthians that the rock at Horeb was Christ, so He was their spiritual rock, out of which streamed, an abundance of pure drinking water, once Moses struck it with his staff. (1 Corinthians 10:4)
Archeologists found a rock in the same geographical area where the Israelites set up camp. There is evidence at the bottom of this rock which shows a smoothing process, caused by a significant volume of water that once flowed from the base of it. The spiritual rock of Horeb is real, and a picture is attached.
The pre-incarnate Jesus stood in front of the rock at Horeb and He not only poured out water for His people, but brought comfort to Moses by His holy Presence.
Whether in pre-incarnate form or as the incarnate son of God, in the gospels, Jesus is still our spiritual rock, who stands before us today, ready to pour out His living water.
I find it touching that God didn’t just tell Moses to go to that rock on his own, but assured him, saying,
“I will be standing there in front of you…” The Lord offers His Presence to stand with us, promising to never leave us alone. God revealed His love for humanity at the rock of Horeb. He is a patient, long suffering and merciful God, revealing His love to us, in our most trying moments.
We are all hungry and thirsty for more than food and drink. Whether people realize it or not, every human being hungers and thirsts for the Presence of God. The Lord finds His own way of showing up in our lives, and becoming our rock.
Jesus showed up in the life of the woman at the well, who after five marriages, had a history of looking for love in all the wrong places. Jesus offered her everlasting love, through His living water. Whether through the words He spoke, or by healing lepers, or casting out demons, Jesus stood before every person He met, ready to pour His streams of living water into their lives.
I heard a true story of a woman who worked as a prostitute, and she noticed a bumper sticker on the car driving in front of her, advertising a Christian radio station. She flipped her radio station to that channel, out of curiosity and listened. Her life changed dramatically, as she heard something which led to an encounter with Jesus, who poured His living water upon her and gave her a new life. Jesus showed up in front of her that day, through a bumper sticker.
When we lose our way, and get tangled up in our own troubles, Jesus finds a way to stand before us, ready to forgive, heal and set us free, even in the midst of our complaining. Jesus, the spiritual rock of Horeb, offers us unconditional love and friendship, continually reminding us,
“I’m right here, standing in front of you. Receive my living water.”
Lord, Thank you for your steadfast love and patience toward us, and help us to make every decision, knowing your presence stands before us, pouring out living water upon us. Amen
