Sermon snippet – Rocktober – Part I
INTRODUCTION – Because we may have to move inside soon, I am preparing shorter messages to limit any potential contact. Don’t get used to this (relative) brevity. I Corinthians 10:1-4 is a curious passage; what exactly is a “spiritual rock”?
- EXODUS 17:1-7 – THE ISRAELITES ASKED THE RIGHT QUESTION BUT BELIEVED THE WRONG ANSWER
God had made constant provision for His people, demonstrating His presence. Moreover, He appeared continuously to them in the pillar of fire and cloud. However, we should not casually presume that God is with us in the sense of approving of our wrong thoughts and decisions. The question of verse 7 would be appropriate if we are not questioning His goodness but rather our behavior. Yes, God was with them. Note in verse 6 that the cloud of God’s presence rested on the rock from which the water miraculously rushed. God was there, and He was providing for His people.
- NUMBERS 20:1-13 – THE ISRAELITES WERE FORGETFUL OF THE GOODNESS OF GOD
This event was close to forty years later. The older generation had died, but the younger generation had grown up. Many of them had experienced the provision of Exodus 17; all of them had received God’s daily provision in the desert and had seen the constant presence of God. What did they do with God’s goodness? They forgot it and left behind in the desert only sad names instead of the Hebrew for “water flowing miraculously from the rock” (whatever that is). Sadly, Moses was a rebel, too (verse 10), as was his brother Aaron, the High Priest. When we compare this passage to Exodus 17:1-7 and I Corinthians 10:1-4, we realize that Moses was attacking the character of God, assaulting His grace. Symbolically, Moses was striking God (specifically, God the Son).
- I CORINTHIANS 10:1-4 – GOD WAS WITH THE ISRAELITES AND IS WITH US
A silly rabbinical speculation is that a literal rock followed the people in the desert for forty years. How silly! It was a “spiritual rock.” It is a silly myth… and a sad one. Would you rather have a magical rock or God? Would you rather have ____________ or God? Really, it is an easy choice. Matthew 28:20b records the promise of God’s presence for His people today; it ends with “Amen,” or “So be it.” An amen from Jesus is not to be ignored! We are assured that Jesus will never forsake us (Hebrews 13:5-6; note also verse 8, which assures us that God the Son cannot change). He is our “spiritual rock.”
CONCLUSION – The conclusion is simple. Let us remember the goodness of Jesus; His provision is a sign of His presence. His greatest provision is the substitutionary atonement of Himself on the Cross. Trust in Him for salvation; let Him be your eternal “spiritual rock.”