Sunday, July 8, 2018

The Rod

“I am the man that hath seen affliction
by the rod of His wrath” (Lamentations 3:1).

This statement is prophetic of the Lord Jesus, when at the cross God punished His Son for our sins in those three hours of darkness. It is also figured in Moses striking the Rock, the Rock being a picture of Christ. “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. 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” (Exodus 17:5-6).

The rod of God’s judgment fell on the Lord Jesus and, as a result there is blessing and refreshment for us.

Jehovah lifted up His rod—

O Christ, it fell on Thee!

Thou wast forsaken of Thy God;

No distance now for me.

Thy blood beneath that rod has flowed:

Thy bruising healeth me.

                                         –Anne Cousins