Mon.’s Devo - Water from the Rock

Read Ex. 17:1-7 They left the wilderness of Sin and camped at Rephidim which means “supports”. There was no water so the people complained to Moses. When will they learn to just ask God and wait for his answer? They blamed their leader for everything that went wrong, or everything that didn’t go their way. So Moses prayed to God for them and he told him what to do. He told Moses to gather the elders and take them to this rock in Horeb (desolate). He was to strike the rock with his rod and water will come out of it. This is the first time we see this rock but it will follow them throughout their journey. 1 Co 10:1-5 says, “ 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; And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea; And did all eat the same spiritual meat; And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ. But with many of them God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness.” God told Moses to stand on the rock called Horeb which means “a waster” and smite the rock so God could bring water out of it for the people to drink. He did and changed the name of that rock to Massah which means “enduring” which is the opposite of wasting. He also named it Meribah which means “strife” because of the controversy among the people. This rock was a picture of Jesus who when struck in his side on the cross, water poured forth. His death brought eternal life and strife: strife from the religious leaders, and the unbelieving crowd and life to all who chose to drink of the living waters he was offering. Lord, give us living waters from your eternal fountain.