Speak to the Rock

"One Year Bible" Old Testament History Passage
Numbers 19:1-20:29

"Take the rod; you and your brother Aaron gather the congregation together.  Speak to the rock before their eyes, and it will yield its water; thus you shall bring water to them out of the rock, and give drink to the congregation and their animals."  Numbers 20:8 (NKJV)

Year earlier, during a time of great thirst, Moses had been commanded to "strike the rock" so that water would be given to the children of Israel (Ex. 17:6).  Now, a similar situation has presented itself again.  Great thirst -- great need for water.  This time, however, God instructs Moses to "speak to the rock."

This rock that followed Israel through the wilderness was Christ!  (I Co. 10:4)  The first action we have toward Him is to "strike" Him.  This is indicative of our sins being placed upon Him at the Cross.  "He was wounded for our transgressions, and bruised for our iniquities" (Is. 53:5).  But thank God, that does not ever need to happen again.  He has carried our sins away.  There is no need to again seek a price or payment for our failings.

It is for us now to SPEAK to the Rock.  We have but to speak, and water will pour forth.  There is no need for any work yet to be done.  Just speak.  In a broader sense, when we strike the rock again, we are saying that what Jesus did on the Cross is not enough, and more work must be done.  But, praise God, His work is complete.  All we are to do is SPEAK TO THE ROCK.