I heard that that rock represented more than just a rock.
I am writing about Numbers Chapter 20 of the King James Bible.
Moses got punished for striking the rock instead of speaking to it.
Someone explain what was wrong.
2007-10-07 11:32:28 · 12 answers · asked by OceanBlue0910 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
It is quite a detailed analogy, but based on a comparison between the Christian life and the journy of the Israelites from Egypt to the Promised Land. When Moses strruck the rock the fist time it was a symbol of Christ being smitten resulting inthe production of the water of life to all. To smite the rock a second time is to say Christ had to die more than once. It is actually an analogy of people who receive forgiveness for their sins, and then continue to sin. It blocks their ability to enter the promised land just as Moses was punished be not being allowed to enter the promised land himself. The parallel verse in the NT is Hebrews 6:6
"...and then have fallen away, it is impossible to renew them again to repentance, since they again crucify to themselves the Son of God and put Him to open shame".
2007-10-07 11:41:30 · answer #1 · answered by oldguy63 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There is a tradition that the rock is actually the symbol of Jesus Christ who said to the woman at the well, "He who drinks of the water that I give shall never thirst again. It will be like a well of living water springing up within" (John 4:14). The rock was Christ; the water of life.
The punishment was for because Moses was to speak to the rock, and instead hit it, like you said. It was a misrepresentation of God. The failure to properly represent God.
2007-10-07 11:51:57 · answer #2 · answered by thundercatt9 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Moses first struck the rock to get water to quench the thirst of the people. The second time, God instructed Moses to speak to the rock, but Moses disobeyed and struck again to get the living water.
The rock symbolizes Jesus. Jesus had to die once to pay for the fine due us. It was finished and done with. No works need be added to satisfy God's justice so that now God can forgive his elect and still be justified in forgiving sinners. To strike again is like saying Jesus' sacrifice was not enough. That His payment was not in full. Jesus is now reigning in Heaven interceding as our great High Priest, as our savior. We need only speak to Jesus in prayer for our needs.
2007-10-07 11:42:53 · answer #3 · answered by Sam L 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Striking the Rock was a demand rather than request.
Jesus is the Rock through which life giving water(Spirit/Salvation) flows.
Striking the Rock a second time was akin to re-crucifying Jesus.
2007-10-07 13:13:32 · answer #4 · answered by troll to troll 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It wasn't that he struck the rock once, twice, or more. It was what he said that God rebuked him and told him that he would not set foot in the land of Canaan. He let his impatience and anger get the best of him and after striking the rock several times and the water came rushing out, he said, " look what I have done for you." He did not give credit to God, but to himself. That was the sin.
2007-10-07 11:44:41 · answer #5 · answered by LDS of Three and Loving It 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
As I understand it, there was nothing special about the rock. Instead it was the fact that Moses struck it a second time. Apparently he had a doubt as to whether once was enough so he struck it again and that indicated a doubt in God.
2007-10-07 11:38:56 · answer #6 · answered by pufferoo 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
He was told to speak to the rock , because he already struck the rock before and the rock represented Jesus. If you struck the rock more than once, Jesus could not be crucified twice. God said trip canceled
2007-10-07 11:38:50 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
The rock symbolized Jesus. And the rock gave the water, the living water that Jesus is.
2007-10-07 11:37:49 · answer #8 · answered by Tinman12 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
The Rock represented Jesus..
2007-10-07 11:36:40 · answer #9 · answered by † PRAY † 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
he took credit for the water
2007-10-07 11:36:14 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋