Bible Talks

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IN chapters 16 we have the story of the giving of the manna, and in this chapter we have the smiting of the rock which brought forth the gushing waters, both provisions of God for His needy people in the wilderness. Now the Lord Jesus brings these two stories together in a wonderful way in just one verse, showing Himself to be the One shadowed forth in these Old Testament pictures. “And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to Me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on Me shall never thirst.” John 6:3535And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst. (John 6:35).
While we have seen in the stream flowing from the rock that which speaks of the Holy Spirit applying the life-giving water to the thirsty soul, we also delight to find the rock itself showing forth in so many ways the Person of Christ. Moses proclaimed: “He is the Rock, His work is perfect.” Of those outside Israel he said: “For their rock is not as our Rock, even our enemies themselves being judges.” Deuteronomy 32:4,314He is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he. (Deuteronomy 32:4)
31For their rock is not as our Rock, even our enemies themselves being judges. (Deuteronomy 32:31). In Isaiah, He is seen as the Redeemer of Israel, “a hiding place from the wind, and a covert from the tempest; as rivers of water in a dry place, as the shadow of a great rock in a weary land.” Isaiah 32:22And a man shall be as an hiding place from the wind, and a covert from the tempest; as rivers of water in a dry place, as the shadow of a great rock in a weary land. (Isaiah 32:2).
But until the rock was smitten its life-giving water could not benefit the people. Christ, as the true Rock, would also be of no avail to sinful man unless He had first suffered the stroke of God’s wrath when He bore our sins. As Moses lifted up his rod and smote the rock, causing the water to pour forth, so the judgment of God falling upon His Son released the rivers of God’s grace to a thirsty, perishing world and eternal life for all who believe. “And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will let him take the water of life freely.” Revelation 22:1717And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely. (Revelation 22:17). How little, we must own, do our hearts conceive the tremendous price paid for our redemption and the amazing love that took the Saviour to the cross that He I might redeem us unto God.
Later on when Moses pleaded with God that he might see His glory, the Lord told him: “Thou canst not see My face; for there shall no man see Me, and live.” If this be so, how then can man draw near to God or dwell in His presence? Ah, Moses was told more: “Behold there is a place by Me, and thou shalt stand upon a rock; And it shall come to pass, while My glory passeth by, that I will put thee in a cleft of the rock, and will cover thee with My hand while I pass by: and I will take away Mine hand, and thou shalt see My back parts; but My face shall not be seen.” Exodus 33:18-2318And he said, I beseech thee, show me thy glory. 19And he said, I will make all my goodness pass before thee, and I will proclaim the name of the Lord before thee; and will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show mercy on whom I will show mercy. 20And he said, Thou canst not see my face: for there shall no man see me, and live. 21And the Lord said, Behold, there is a place by me, and thou shalt stand upon a rock: 22And it shall come to pass, while my glory passeth by, that I will put thee in a clift of the rock, and will cover thee with my hand while I pass by: 23And I will take away mine hand, and thou shalt see my back parts: but my face shall not be seen. (Exodus 33:18‑23). What a precious picture of how redeemed men may come into God’s presence. Those whose trust is in Christ are hidden forever in “the cleft of the Rock” — that Rock rent for them — and there secure in Him and in the work He has done, they will be brought into that heavenly home where the radiance and glory of God will shine upon them for evermore. No fear of death will ever exist in God’s presence, for they will be, as His children, co-heirs with Christ, made like unto Him, and fit for that holy place.
The Lord looks for a response from the hearts of His own who have found a refuge in Him, as expressed in the words of the Bridegroom: “O my dove, that art in the clefts of the rock, in the secret places of the stairs, let Me see thy countenance, let Me hear thy voice; for sweet is thy voice, and thy countenance is comely.” Song of Solomon 2:1414O my dove, that art in the clefts of the rock, in the secret places of the stairs, let me see thy countenance, let me hear thy voice; for sweet is thy voice, and thy countenance is comely. (Song of Solomon 2:14).
ML-11/16/1969