Jesus was the rock

JESUS WAS THE ROCK
EDITED BY GLENN PEASE
1 Corinthians10:4 4and drank the same spiritual
drink; for they drank from the spiritual rock that
accompaniedthem, and that rock was Christ.
BIBLEHUB RESOURCES
Pulpit Commentary Homiletics
"that Spiritual Rock."
1 Corinthians 10:4
J.R. Thomson
There is no need, in explaining this passage, to suppose a reference on the part
of the writer to the Jewishfable that the rock in question was rolled along
with the advancing camp of Israelthrough the wilderness ofwandering, and
that upon the chant of the chiefs," Spring up, O well!" the watergushed forth
for the supply of the thirsting tribes. There seems to be no need. even to adopt
the common supposition that watersprang miraculously from rocks atevery
station of the wonderful journey. It is enough to acceptthe plain record that
the miraculous event did happen, once at the commencementand once
towards the close ofthe pilgrimage of the chosenpeople. The apostle's mind
was filled with memories of the consecratednation, and so clearbefore that
mind was the unity of the two dispensations, that it seemedmost natural to
him, in drawing a parallel betweenthe Israelites and the Corinthian

Christians, to assertthat the spiritual Rock was Christ - the Source and
Author of all blessings in every period of history and in all circumstances of
humanity. The assertionmay be regarded -
I. HISTORICALLY. As a matter of fact, the Word, the Wisdom of God, was
the Angel of the Church in the wilderness. It is the privilege of the Christian
to trace his Saviour's presence throughout the whole of human history. He
who was the Rock of salvationto the tribes ready to die from thirst, is the
same to all mankind in every age. His presence never removes and. his grace
never fails. He is Jehovah, the Rock ofeternal ages.
II. SPIRITUALLY. Evidently the apostle draws his readers'attention to the
supply of ether than physical necessities. To Israeland to the Church of this
dispensationof grace the Lord Christ is the all sufficient channel of Divine
mercy and blessing.
1. Generallyspeaking, there is an obvious aptness in the similitude.
(1) As a Rock, Christis distinguished by stability, and is not to be shakenor
removed.
(2) He has heights for refuge into which his people canflee, a strongholdand
security to all who put their trust in him.
(3) As the rock has cliffs and clefts for shadow and for shelterfrom the great
heat in a dry and thirsty land where no wateris, so Christ screens the soul
from fiery temptations and distresses.
2. Specially, and upon the suggestionofthe incident referred to, it must be
remarkedthat Christ is the Rock becausehe is the Source of living waters.
This is no doubt the central thought of the passage, andthe resemblance is
very striking and very full and rich. Thus it is apparent:
(1) That Christ supplies an urgent need. It was in the sorestextremity of the
nation that the rock was smitten and yielded the streams which the dry desert
knew not; and, in like manner, the need of humanity was distressing and
urgent when the Divine Rock gave forth the springs of life eternal.

(2) The supply came from an unexpected source. What so unlikely as the hard
rock of the desertto yield rivulets of limpid water? And who that saw Christ
in his humiliation, who grew up "as a rootout of a dry ground," could
imagine what stores of blessing were in his sacredbeing?
(3) From Christ proceeds satisfactionfor all spiritual wants. These are the
thirst of the soul, which desires knowledge,favour, peace, refreshment, and
joy, - all which is included in the phrase "eternallife." "If any man thirst,"
says Jesus, "lethim come unto me, and drink? He has promised "living water,
of which whoso drinks shall not thirst again." The dying revive, the thirsting
are satisfied, the wearyare refreshed, the labourers are cheered, as they
togetherdraw near to the spiritual fountains which flow from Christ.
(4) The blessings which proceedfrom Jesus proceedin an enduring and
unfailing stream of supply. Generations drink at the same/spring, and quench
their thirst, only to commend the living fountain to all succeeding ages.
III. SACRAMENTALLY. The allusionis unmistakable to the communion of
the Lord's Supper. Both the streams in the wilderness and the cup of the
Eucharistsymbolize the spiritual participation, which is the privilege of those
to whom the Word of the Lord. is addressed, in the supply afforded by the
Divine and living Rock. The voice of heavenreaches our grateful ear: "Eat, O
friends; drink,... O beloved!" The superiority of the new covenantis manifest:
the Israelites drank of water;Christ is not only the Stream of waterin the
desert, he is the Cup of wine at the banqueting table. "The cup of blessing
which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ?" - T.
The Rock
Prof. Godet.
1 Corinthians 10:1-13
Moreover, brothers, I would not that you should be ignorant, how that all our
fathers were under the cloud…

Is it not perfectly simple to explain this figure by the numerous passages in
which the Lord is called the Rock of Israel(Deuteronomy 32:4, 15, 18; Isaiah
17:10;Isaiah 26:4)? Only the title of Rock ofIsrael is given by Paul not to
Jehovah, but to Christ. The passageforms one analogyto the words (John
12:41), where the apostle applies to Jesus the vision of Isaiah (chap. Isaiah6.).
Christ is representedin these passages by Paul and John as pre-existent and
presiding over the theocratic history. In chap. 1 Corinthians 8:6 Paul had
designatedChrist as the Being by whom God createdall things. Here he
represents Him as the Divine Being who accompaniedGod's people in the
cloud through the wilderness, and who gave them the deliverances whichthey
needed. We have the same view here as appears in "the angelof the Lord," so
often identified in Genesis with the Lord Himself, and yet distinct from Him,
in the Being who is calledin Isaiah(Isaiah 63:9) "the angelof His presence,"
and in Malachi(Malachi3:1) "the angelof the covenant, Adonai," the
mediator betweenGod and the world, especiallywith view to the work of
salvation. It is easyto understand the relation there is betweenthe mention of
this greattheocratic factand the idea which the apostle wishes to express in
our passage. The spiritual homogeneity of the two covenants, and of the gifts
accompanying them, rests on this identity of the Divine Head of both. The
practicalconsequence is obvious at a glance:Christ lived in the midst of the
ancient people, and the people perished. How canyou Christians think
yourselves secure from the same lot?
(Prof. Godet.)
The Rock -- Christ
J. Jowett, M.A.

In what respects did the rock at Horeb represent Christ?
I. IT FOUND THE PEOPLE PERISHING WITH THIRST. This is just our
condition by nature. We are destitute of all that can refreshor satisfythe soul.
II. IT WAS A MOST IMPROBABLE MEANS OF RELIEF. In countries like
our own the springs of watergenerally take their course along a rocky bed
below the surface. But in those sandy deserts the case is far otherwise. Horeb,
a vast mass of stone, only increasedthe desolationof the prospect. And such
were the gloomyanticipations of many to whom Jesus offeredHimself as their
Redeemer. Scribes and Phariseeswere offendedat His personalmeanness —
the sonof a carpenter! no worldly show! His own disciples were continually
stumbled, and "all forsook Him and fled." Learned Gentiles heard with scorn
that one executedas a malefactorwas to be receivedas king of the world, Nay,
even to this day men will hope nothing, and therefore seek nothing from
Christ till they are compelled.
III. IT REQUIRED TO BE SMITTEN ERE IT GAVE A SUPPLY. And how
exactly did this actiontypify the suffering Redeemer!It was not by His
miracles nor by His instructions that Jesus provided salvationfor us, but by
His death, ReadIsaiah53 and Zechariah 13:7. Notonly Christ was smitten;
but He was to be smitten. "Ought not Christ to have suffered these things?"
etc. Here then let us fix our attention. "Beholdthe wounded Lamb of God,"
etc., and say, " God forbid that I should glory," etc.

IV. IT YIELDED AN ABUNDANT SUPPLY. For such a host no ordinary
stream of waterwould suffice;but here was enoughand to spare. And such is
the supply of spiritual blessings whichis treasured up in Christ Jesus
(Colossians1:19).
V. IT SAVED THE LIVES OF REBELS IF THEY WOULD BUT DRINK.
(J. Jowett, M.A.)
The Rock in the Desert
R. D. Hitchcock, D.D.
I. THE DESERT.
1. Our sinful parentage is our Egypt, and death our Jordan. What lies
betweenis the desertof our wanderings.
2. Considerwhat it is that renders a desertformidable. To the dromedary it is
what the sea is to a ship; almostwhat the air is to a winged bird. But not so
with man. His nature is not so well suited to those trackless wastes.So we were
not made to feel at home here. Many tokens are there that we are only
strangers and pilgrims.

(1) Now it is a loss of property, now a loss of health, now a loss of friends.
(2) But, to say nothing of what is lost, who needs be reminded of the countless
prizes which we may sigh for, but have never gained? To no man is life a
holiday. To most is it a scene rather of feverish and but poorly requited toil.
The one secretof all this suffering is to be sought in the contradictionwhich is
found to exist betweenour circumstances and our endowments. We are all of
us like kings in exile. We have lostour thrones, and are pawning our jewels
for our daily bread.
(3) But the greatburden and the saddestblight of all is our sense ofsin. Years
ago and yesterday we sinned; and all the period betweenis dark with
remorseful memories. The soul has no perfectrest. And so the world becomes
a desertto us.
3. But courage, brother. Even this blank desertis better than it seems. Though
it has no waving wheat-fields, it has manna for its morning dew. Though its
sands be trackless, there move on always before us the pillar of cloud and fire.
But in addition to, and above all, though there be no running streams, there is
the rock smitten to assuage ourthirst.
II. And THAT ROCK IS CHRIST.
1. What men call pleasure only palls upon our jaded senses.Chesterfield, in
his old age, saidof the world: "I have enjoyed all its pleasures, and
consequentlyknow their futility, and do not regrettheir loss." As for gold, no
wealth everyet purchased a night's rest. As for power, the Alexanders and
Napoleons have all shed bitter tears of disappointment, either conquering or

conquered. As for wisdom, from Solomonto Burke, the wisesthave been also
the saddestof men. As for friendship and affection, eventheir idols are
shivered one by one. "Vanity of vanities, all is vanity." All around us sweeps
the glimmering desert, with no refreshment for us but what is furnished by
the gushing rock. And that rock is Christ.
2. But who and what is the Christ we speak of? I challenge man's own aching
heart for an answer. What is the Christ thou cravest? Is it only a human
brother? Is it only an awful God? Or is it the two united in a sweetbut
stupendous miracle of love? The answercannotbe doubtful. Annihilate my
faith in the God-man, and what then is life? But give me now the God-man,
and this dreary desert of my sorrow-stricken, sinful life receives atonce its
gushing rock. Let redeeming love shootits beams into the darkness, letthe
radiant form of the Sonof God be seenwalking up and down the furnace of
our earthly afflictions, and straightwaythe torturing problem is solved. We
take up the line of our march through the desertwithout murmuring, when
we behold the smitten rock moving on before us over the sterile sand. To us
now this world is brighter than it would have been without the heavy shadows
of sin upon it; for in its sky has been setthe Star of Bethlehem. Our own
nature has been dignified, as it would not have been but for our fall; for now
God's own Son is our brother. Even our life of sorrow is glorified since those
shining feethave traversedit so meekly from the mangerto the tomb. With
this rock in our desert, the desert shouts and sings.
3. But of what avail to us is this smitten rock, unless we stoopto drink? Of
what avail to us the presence of this Divine humanity, unless we are
consciouslyrelatedto it by a living faith? To each heart there speaks the voice
of mercy. And eachheart must answerfor himself. What shall our response
be? Christ's greatcentralwork is not teaching, which rivals the lessons of
sages;not example, which rivals the exploits of heroes, but atonement, which
scatters the clouds of Divine wrath, and takes awayour sin.

4. That spiritual rock, we are told, followedthe Hebrews. So, too, shall our
Rock follow us. In health and peace and prosperity it shall pour its libations
upon our gladness. In sickness, war, and want it shall coolour feveredveins.
In death it shall moisten our parched lips.
(R. D. Hitchcock, D.D.)
The Rock ofAges
C. Kingsley, M.A.
1. St. Paul is warning the Corinthians. He says, "Youmay come to the
Communion and use the means of grace, and yet become castaways. Ikeep
under my body lest I should be one. Look at the old Jews in the wilderness.
They all partook of God's grace;but they were not all saved. Spiritual meat
and spiritual drink could not keepthem alive, if they sinned, and deserved
death. And nothing will save you if you sin."
2. The spiritual rock which followedthe Jews was Christ. It was to Him they
owedtheir deliverance from Egypt, their knowledge ofGod, and His law, and
whateverreason, righteousness, and goodgovernment there was among them.
And to Christ we owe the same. The rock was a type of Him from whom flows
living water. "Whosoeverdrinketh of the water which I shall give," etc.

3. Herein is a great mystery. Something of what it means, however, we may
learn from Philo. The soul, he says, falls in with a scorpion in the wilderness;
and then thirst, which is the thirst of the passions, seizesonit, till God sends
forth on it the stream of His own perfectwisdom, and causesthe changedsoul
to drink of unchangeable health. Forthe steeprock is the wisdom of God (by
whom he means the Word of God, whom Philo knew not in the flesh, but
whom we know as the Lord Jesus Christ), which, being both sublime and the
first of all things, He quarried out of His own powers;and of it He gives drink
to the souls which love God; and they, when they have drunk, are filled with
the most universal manna.
4. Christ is rightly calledthe Rock, the Rock of Ages, the Eternal Rock,
because onHim all things rest, and have rested since the foundation of the
world. He is rightly called the Rock of living waters;for in Him are hid all the
treasures of wisdomand knowledge, andfrom Him they flow forth freely to
all who cry to Him in their thirst after truth and holiness. To be parted from
Christ is death. To be joined to Christ and the body of Christ is life — the life
of the soul. Holiness, righteousness, goodness. And why? Because it is the life
of Christ. For who is Christ but the likeness and the glory of God? And what
is that but goodness? FromChrist, and not from any createdbeing, comes all
goodness in man or angel.
5. Let the goodwhich a man does be much or be it little, he must say, "The
goodwhich I do, I do not, but Christ who dwelleth in me." It is Christ in the
child which makes it speak the truth, and shrink from whatever it has been
told is wrong; in the young man, which fills him with hopes of putting forth all
his powers in the service of Christ; in the middle-aged man, which makes him
strong in goodworks;so that having drunk of the living waters himself, they
may flow out of him again to others in gooddeeds;in the old man, which
makes him look on with calm contentwhile his own body and mind decay,
knowing that the kingdom of God cannot decay. Yes, such a man knows

whom he has believed. He knows that the spiritual Rock has been following
him through all his wanderings in this wearyworld, and that that rock is
Christ. He canrecollecthow, againand again, at his Sabbath haltings in his
life's journey, it was to him in the Holy Communion as to the Israelites ofold
in their haltings in the wilderness, when the priests of Jehovahcried to the
mystic rock, "Flow forth, O fountain," and the waters flowed.
6. But if these things are so, will they not teachus much about Holy
Communion, how we may receive it worthily, and how unworthily? If what
we receive in the Communion be the goodChrist who is to make us good, then
how can we receive it worthily, if we do not hunger and thirst after goodness?
If we do not, we are like those Corinthians who came to the Lord's supper to
exalt their own spiritual self-conceit;and so only ate and drank their own
damnation, not discerning the Lord's body — a body of righteousness and
goodness.We need not stay awaybecause we feelourselves burdened with
many sins; that will be our very reasonfor coming, that we may be cleansed
from our sins.
(C. Kingsley, M.A.)
Meatand Drink for God's People
D. Fraser
1 Corinthians 10:3, 4
And did all eatthe same spiritual meat;…
By a few master strokes ofhis pen St. Paul indicated the typical significance of
Israel's life in the wilderness. His object in these allusions to the Old

Testamentwas to correctparty spirit among the Greek Christians of the first
century, by showing that, like the tribes of Israel in the old time, the people of
Christ are one in respectof their redemption and consolationin him. As all
the Hebrew fathers were delivered from slaveryin Egypt, so all the Christians
are delivered from the bondage of the flesh. As all of them were baptized unto
Moses in the cloud and the sea, so all the Christians have been baptized into
Christ by death and burial with him. As all of them ate of the manna from the
Lord, so all Christians have the same spiritual food; and as all of them drank
of the waterfrom the smitten rock in Horeb, so all Christians drink of the
same spiritual Rock, whichis Christ. Thus what God did for Israel, he did for
all; what he gave to Israel, he gave to all that people. It was the fault of the
people that this unity was broken. "Some of them were idolaters;" "some of
them committed fornication;" "some of them tempted the Lord;" "some of
them murmured." Christians should mark this, and beware lestany of them,
through temptations to idolatry, fleshliness, or wilfulness, forfeit what the
Lord has provided for all of them without respectof persons. Here are the
necessariesofthe spiritual as of the natural life - food and drink, bread and
water.
I. SPIRITUAL FOOD. The Israelites gotmanna as a direct and free gift from
God. Christians receive Christ as "the true Bread which came down from
heaven," a direct and a free gift from God. The bread is his flesh which he has
given for the life of the world; i.e. Christ nourishes his people through the
efficacyof his atonement. Whosoeverheartily believes in Christ crucified eats
by faith of the flesh which is heavenly bread. The emphasis in this passagelies
on the words, "They all did eatthe same." In the wilderness, everyfamily of
the whole redeemednation ate daily of exactlythe same bread with every
other family. Moses himself partook of the manna, and so did the lowestof the
people. There was no difference betweenthe princes of Israeland the feeblest
in the tribes, betweenthe old people and the children, or betweenmasters and
servants. All partook of the same daily bread. So there is the same Christ for
all of us. Believers have the same life and the same support or staff of life. No
matter what socialand intellectual distinctions may be among us, or what
varieties of view on secondarypoints; in this we are at one, that we have the

same spiritual food. And we show this when we all partake togetherof the
Lord's Supper.
II. SPIRITUAL DRINK. The waterfrom the rock at Horeb not only supplied
the immediate want, but was of use to the tribes of Israelfor many days. Now,
that rock signified Christ. Jehovahsaid to Moses, "Iwill stand before thee
there upon the rock in Horeb." So God is now before us in Christ Jesus, able
and willing to satisfyall the poor and needy whose hearts faint and" fail them
for thirst." Christ as the Rock smitten is a Fountain of life, available to us
now, and not now only, but all our lives long. As the bread resolves itselfinto
the flesh, so the stream also into the precious blood of Christ. We eat the flesh
and drink the blood of the Son of man, according to his own teaching at
Capernaum. Thus we are againbrought to the fact and virtue of the
atonement. That which it would be gross and intolerable to eatand drink
after a literal and carnal manner, is, after a spiritual manner, full of sweetness
and strength. And again, the emphasis is on the participation by all Christians
of the same spiritual drink, which is symbolized in the Lord's Supper. "The
cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of
Christ?" Other Scriptures follow more closelythe idea of watergushing from
a rockyfountain. As the blood of Christ signifies his atonement, so the water
is a sign of the communication of the Holy Ghost. By the former our Lord
gives peace to the conscience;by the latter, cleansing and healing to the heart.
Christ, our Rock, spokemore than once of his powerto impart to all comers
the waterof life (John 4:10-14;John 7:37-39). And now, as from a height
above the plain on which his people still walk as pilgrims, our Saviour in
heaven gives this waterto the thirsty. To it all are welcome. Wateris no
luxury for the few, but an acknowledgeduniversalnecessaryof life; and so a
participation of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus is no privilege of a few
superlative Christians, but necessaryto the inward life of every one who is a
Christian at all "If any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his."
How can a rock follow? The rock in Horeb did not move from its place, but
followedthe people in the stream which issued from it and flowed through the
lowerlevels of the wilderness. So Jesus Christ remains at God's right hand;
yet is with us always in the continual efficacyof his shed blood and the

continual fellowship of his Holy Spirit. The fountain never runs dry. We never
find anything less than fulness in him. And there is no need to go on a long
pilgrimage to our sacredwell. The Rock follows us.
III. HOW TO GET THIS NOURISHMENT.By grace, throughfaith. When
the children of Israelsaw the manna, they "wistnot what it was." ThenMoses
told them from God what it was, and bade them gather it, "everyman
according to his eating." So now, men do not know of themselves what Christ
is; but it is preached or proclaimed as from God that this is the true Bread.
Take, and eat, and live. Why should any household be without the heavenly
Bread? When the rock was smitten, no one stoodby but Moses and the eiders,
who had gone in advance of the host. One can imagine those elders hastening
back to the camp, and calling aloud to the severaltribes, "Water!water!He,
every one that thirsteth, come to the waters!" Shall we who have found life
and peace in Jesus Christ hold our peace? Nay, but we call to every thirsty
soul, "Come, and drink, and live." - F.
The Spiritual Meatand Drink
R. Tuck
And did all eatthe same spiritual meat;…
Give accountof the historicalfacts to which the apostle refers. It seems as if
he had in mind also the Jewishtradition that the rock - i.e. a fragment broken
off from the rock smitten by Moses - followedthe Israelites through their
journey. St. Paul sees,in that symbol of the Divine presence and providing, an
aid towards our realizing the gracious abiding presence ofthe Lord Jesus

Christ with his Church. His point here is that God's people, in the olden times
and still, are divinely led and divinely fed; so no excuse for apostasycanbe
found in any "straitening in God."
I. DIVINELY LED. By God in the pillar cloud that loomed dark againstthe
clearsky by day, but shone like fire at night, and moved or restedto direct the
people's journeyings. By God's powerthrough the RedSea, whose waters
were held back, making a greatpathway over the dried sands. The fact of
such leadings ought to have bound the people to Jehovahin everlasting bonds.
Then show what is the answering Christian fact to this, and how, when we are
brought to Christ, a new light shines upon the wondrous providences of our
whole lives, and so we feel freshly bound to our Lord, and say -
"Jesus, stilllead on,
Till our rest be won."
II. DIVINELY FED. By God in the provision of the manna day by day. By
God in the smitten rock, that provided in a miraculous manner for them when
natural supplies failed. Such daily signs of Divine presence and care ought to
have held them fast to daily obedience and service. Then we may realize that
(1) the manna answers to Christ, the Breadof life for us; and
(2) the wateranswers to Christ, the Rock sorelysmitten for us. And then we
should feelhow, in the daily provisions of Christ's grace in the supply of all
our need, we are bound to his service, daily urged to "yield ourselves unto
him, and our members instruments of righteousness unto his service." -R.T.

Biblical Illustrator
Give none offence... Jews...Gentiles...the Church of God.
Gratuitous offences ofthe ministry
J. B. Owen, M.A.
I. THE ESSENTIALOFFENCE, OF THE CROSS MUST NOT BE
EVADED. The doctrine of a crucified Christ with its correspending duty of
crucified affections will ever provoke the hostility of "the carnalmind."
Offence is inevitable where disaffectionrules. "Love or hatred" is the sole
alternative. Our mission is, "Christ and Him crucified" — not Christ and
Him Judaised, or philosophised, or adumbrated in a myth, or held in reserve,
or the Shibboleth of a faction. Far from St. Paul was the leastsuppressionof
the faith in deference to the fashion of the world or the fury of his adversaries.
If "to the Jew he became as a Jew, it was to gain the Jew," etc. His evangelical
theologycoupled with his chivalrous life of toil presentthe safestcomment
upon the mingled courtesy, charity, and policy of his injunction — "Give none
offence, neither to the Jews,"etc.
II. WHAT ARE THE CIRCUMSTANTIALAFFRONTS THAT MUST BE
AVOIDED? The Jew, the Gentile, and the Church presentthe three types of
those severalrelations of the world to religion, and whose spiritual interests
may be gratuitously obstructed by ministrational offensiveness.
1. Ritualism.(1) This was "the rock of offence on which Zion stumbled" and
lost her standing.(a) The Jew gloriedin his descentfrom Abraham; but St.
Paul did not ridicule the pretension, but, pointing it in its right direction to the
faith of Christ, courteouslyconceded"then are ye Abraham's seed," etc.(b)
The Jew restedin the law. Paul "bare them record, they had a zealfor God,"
etc., because "the law was their schoolmasterto bring them to Christ."(c) The
Jew stoodupon his circumcision. Was it asked, "Whatprofit was there of
circumcision?" The reply was, "Muchevery way," except indeed in their own
way, but in such a way as they would be more disposed to listen to as "the
more, excellentway."(2)Apply this apostolic gauge to our own modes of

dealing with modern Jews.(a)Take the English Jew;his national and
hereditary dislike of Christianity is not likely to be propitiated by our too
generalindifference to the means of his conversion, which strikes him as
irresistibly at variance with our evangelicalpremises.(b)Take the spirit of
ritualism as embodied in Romanism. To unchurch Rome — the communion of
a Borromeo, Fenelon, and Pascal — is not the spirit which acknowledgedtheir
prototypes, "who are Israelites."The civil concessionofher antiquity pleads
the conciliatoryparallel, "whose are the Fathers." The gracefulrecognitionof
her early evangelising labours finds a gentler precedentin the admission, "of
whom, as concerning the flesh, Christ came," than in the loose ignoring of all
old better times. Neither is it an obstacle, but rather ancillary to our argument
to let her share the honour of having had "committed unto her the oracles of
God." Rome must be vanquished by her own instruments. The Christianity in
her Vulgate will yet displace the Popery in her creeds.
2. Rationalism.(1)There canbe no antagonismbetweenreasonand faith.
Christianity and science are both from the same Author, and it robs Him of
part of His glory to take either away. Dealwith such particles of truth as exist
in rationalistic or socialisticwritings, as Paul did with the inscription on the
Athenian altar, or the maxims of a Menander or Aratus. He "disputed daily in
the schoolofone Tyrannus," but "gave no offence to the Gentiles."(2)But the
text includes the unconverted, and there is a risk of gratuitously offending the
mere worldling by the style, as well as matter of preaching. Do not blacken
poor human nature darker than she is. Look upon the young keeperof the
commandments as Jesus "lookedandloved him."(3) The Church of God. The
really enlightened children of God are susceptible of offence from an
incautious ministry. There is such a contingencyas "making my weak brother
to offend" in various shapes. We may scandalise, damage, ordiscourage a
fellow-Christianby the class of amusements in which ourselves or families
fraternise with the world, or by the inconsiderate denouncement of all
recreation;by showing respectof persons in the way of sparing the follies of
the rich, and bearing hard upon the vices of the poor, or contrasting the
assiduity of pastoral attention to the former, with a comparative neglectof the
latter; by careless. partial, imperfect or indistinct statements of truth; by an
obvious disparity betweenour public preaching and personalconversation;by

any inattention to the commoner charities, morals, and civilities of life, as if
Christianity contained no such precepts as "use hospitality," "be courteous,"
"render unto all their dues."
(J. B. Owen, M.A.)
An incentive to Christian liberality
Sketches ofSermons.
I. THE GREAT OBJECT AT WHICH THE APOSTLE AIMED — the profit,
the salvation, of many. The term "profit" may apply, in general, to anything
which improves either the man or his condition. So "wisdomis profitable,"
etc. (Ecclesiastes 10:10);and Paul profited in Jewishlearning, etc. (Galatians
1:14). But as happiness is man's summum bonum, his highest good, whatever
promotes this evidently deserves to be so characterised. In this view salvation
appears to be eminently profitable.
1. Deliverance from the shackles ofsuperstition — of a superstition erroneous
in sentiment — extravagantin its hopes, fears, etc. — painful in its services.
2. Deliverance from the guilt of sin, and from that danger which always, and
from those fearful anticipations which frequently, attend it.
3. Deliverance from the slavery of sin (Romans 6:12-14).
4. It is an abiding profit.
II. THE MEANS BY WHICH THE APOSTLE ENDEAVOURED TO
ATTAIN HIS OBJECT.
1. Observe his disinterestedness. "Notseeking mine own profit." How
different from the man who, when any subject is proposedto him,
immediately inquires, "What shall I gainby it?"
2. Mark the apostle's benevolence. Aiming at "the profit of many."
3. Considerthe apostle's labours. "Seeking the profit of many"; in devising
plans to promote their prosperity (2 Corinthians 11:28).

4. Consideralso the sacrifices he made.
(Sketches ofSermons.)
The duty of an inoffensive conduct
J. Mason, A.M.
I. THE NATURE OF THE DUTY HERE RECOMMENDED.
1. What are we to understand by the word "offence." This word is takenin
two senses. In the sacredwritings it generally signifies a stumbling-block, or
whateveris the occasionofanother's fall. But the word "offence," in the
common acceptationofit, is takento signify an occasionofanger, grief, or
resentment. Whoeverfinds these passions stirring in his mind, is said to be
offended; and whateverbe the incentive or cause ofthem, is called the offence.
In this latter sense we sometimes find the word used in Scripture, as well as in
the former (Psalm 119:165;Matthew 17:27). It is this latter sense in which I
intend to improve the words of the text, and considerthem as a precept, to
follow after things that make for peace, and to keepour consciencevoid of
offence towards all men.
2. With what restrictions this preceptmust reasonablybe taken.(1)When
peace with men stands in competition with our duty to God, we should not be
afraid of giving them offence.(2)Notonly the honour of God, but the rights of
consciencemust be maintained as sacredin opposition to all that would
invade them, howeverthat opposition may offend them.(3) Nor are the
perverse and unreasonable humours of men to be always submitted to for fear
of giving offence. The truth ought to be sometimes boldly asserted, strongly
proved, and closelyurged; and the vanity and ignorance of the conceited
humorist mortified and exposed.(4)It is lawful sometimes to give offence to
others for the sake oftheir good. That is, when that goodwe are able to do
them cannot be done without it. This especiallytakes place in case of
reproof.(5)Nor should we be afraid of giving a private offence when it is
necessaryto the public good. Otherwise magistrates wouldnot be faithful to
their trust, nor could penal laws be executed.(6)We should not be too

scrupulous of giving offence in justifying an injured character, orin
vindicating the honour and reputation of an absent person, when aspersedby
the petulance of an unbridled or malicious tongue.(7)When the honour,
interest, and credit of religion are manifestly concerned, they ought not to be
meanly prostituted for the sake ofpeace.
3. The proper latitude and extent of it in a few particulars wherein men are
most apt to forgetit.(1) We should take care we do not give a needless offence
to others in matter of opinion.(2) In like manner we should take care how we
give just offence to weak Christians in matters of practice.(3)We should take
care not to give offence in our discourse or conversationwith others.(4)We
should take care to give no just offence in our way of commerce or dealings
with men. Either by exactionand oppression, or by rigorous and exorbitant
claims, beyond the rules of equity and mercy, where there is but small ability
to answerthem.(5) We should take care not to give offence to others by our
tempers. In some tempers there are many things very offensive, which tend
very much to disturb the peace ofsocietyand dissolve the bonds of Christian
love and friendship.(a) A vain and ostentatious temper — when a man
appears to centre all his views in himself, and to be so full of secretpride and
self-applause that it is continually running over his lips.(b) A rigid, censorious,
and detracting spirit, which often proceeds from the same original as the
other, viz., secretpride and excessive self-love.(c)A passionate andrevengeful
temper is a very offensive one.(d) An arbitrary, over-bearing, and imperious
temper, which tyrannises over ingenuous modesty, and thinks to carry all
before it by mere dint of noise and confidence.(e)A mercenary and selfish
temper, which shows a little, contractedheart, wrapped up in itself, and shut
fast to all the world beside; whereas the heart of a goodman is open and
generous, and longs to diffuse joy and gladness all around it.(6) We should
take care to give no offence to others by the abuse of those talents which we
enjoy more than they.(7) We should take care how we give offence in any of
those severalrelations in life wherein Providence hath placedus.
II. I SHALL RECOMMENDTHIS DUTY OF AN INOFFENSIVE
CONDUCT FROM TWO CONSIDERATIONS.

1. The first is from the example of our greatLord and Master, Jesus Christ.
Which is not only our greatestmotive to it, but at the same time will be our
best direction in the practice of it. He was not ashamedto maintain the cause
of God and truth at the expense of His own peace and fame; nor afraid to
oppose and reprove the proud priests and bigoted Pharisees, thoughHe knew
He should give them offence and incur their hatred by so doing. Here He
showedthe courage of a lion; in other casesallthe meekness ofa lamb.
2. He who makes no conscienceofoffending men, will make no conscienceof
offending God. Nay, herein he actually does offend Him. A just occasionof
offence given to them is a real offence offered to Him, because it is a wilful
violation of His laws, which in the most express manner have forbidden it.
(J. Mason, A.M.)
Christian influence
J. G. Rogers,B.A.
1. The apostle did not shrink from giving offence where the honour of his
Masteror the rights of His gospelwere to be maintained, where sin was to be
rebuked, and hypocrisy unmasked. The public opinion of those times
doubtless regarded him as an extreme man (1 Corinthians 4:3, 4). Wherever
he went he rousedthe fiercestpassions ofthe Jews. Itwas from no inability to
perceive the "offence ofthe Cross," that he made it the theme of his ministry.
Even to the Church he gave offence where duty required — to Barnabas, to
Peter, to the JewishChristians in general.
2. How singular, then, sound such words as those of the text. "He give no
offence!" might be the comment of some of his opponents, "why, it is not
possible that any man should give more." These words, however, prove that
Paul had no love for antagonism. Truth must be served first, but where it did
not callhe would not grieve either Jew or Gentile or fellow-Christian. He is
speaking here of things not necessaryto salvation.

I. GOD HAS GIVEN EVERY CHRISTIAN SOME INFLUENCE IN THE
WORLD.
1. With many it may be very feeble and restricted, but to none has it been
wholly denied. To some have been given two, and to a few even five talents,
but there is not one who can saythat he has no talent at all. One of the
mightiest forces thus lies within the reach of all. An innocent babe, all
insensible of the power which it wields, will sometimes almosttransform the
spirit of a father.
2. Few things are more marvellous than the way in which such influence
propagates itself. Take, e.g., the simple Christian man whose sympathy was
excited on behalf of the ignorant and godless children in the city of
Gloucester. He little knew how his Christian thought would fructify. So the
Christian woman who invited her young apprentice to the evening service in
the Tabernacle was unconsciouslysetting in motion a train of influence, the
full results of which are not yet fully developed. That evening sermon was to
lead John Williams to the foot of the Cross.
3. Noris it only that a man may exercise suchinfluence, it is certain that he
must do so. It is not that no man ought to live to himself, but that, as a matter
of fact, no man can live to himself. Be not deceived, if you are not a blessing
you will be a curse to the world. A purely negative existence, evenif desirable,
is not possible to any of us.
II. THIS INFLUENCE IS A TALENT TO BE DILIGENTLY CULTIVATED.
1. It may be regardedunder two aspects, the direct and the indirect power
which we exert. The Christian must strive to serve his Masterin both. He
must not only engage in Christian labours, but he must breathe a Christian
temper. The power of earnestwords and generous deeds will be neutralised by
the inconsistencywhichawakens doubts as to his sincerity, or the offensive
bearing which, in exciting prejudice againsthimself, creates a new obstacle to
the success ofthe messagewhich he bears. It is to this that the apostle chiefly
alludes. The offence of the Cross was notto be removed by silence as to Christ
crucified; but whateverhis messagemight be, he soughtthat he himself
should not be a stumbling-block.

2. Some men make it their boastthat they take no heed to the opinions of
others. They have the approval of their own conscience. Whatcan it matter to
them though they are condemned by the unanimous voice of their brethren?
A doubt of their own infallibility never appears to occurto them, nor a desire
to spare the feelings and respectthe convictions of others to influence their
modes of speechor action. Of course it is better to be unpopular than untrue;
but even if regardto the highest principle require a man sometimes to oppose
himself to those whom he most respects, there is a way of acting by which he
may avoid provoking that unpleasant irritation which is sure to defeat the
very purpose he seeks to achieve. Keepback nothing which fidelity to God
requires you to utter; but let there be the courtesywhich pays a due respectto
the opinions it is compelledto oppose, and the readiness to make everything
subordinate to the one greatwork of promoting the gospel. It is pitiable to
mark the way in which some men, by little defects of character, mar the effect
of labours inspired by the purest motive and apparently fitted to secure the
richest fruit. They are like a gardenerwho, having sownhis seeds, no sooner
sees them breaking the ground than he begins to trample them down.
3. "Notseeking mine own profit," etc. Such, too, is our principle, but may we
not learn something even from those who seek the inferior end? If men can
stoopto secure an earthly prize — if they deem no labour too hard, no rebuff
too humiliating, no arts too mean which are necessaryto ensure success —
what effort should not Christians put forth, and what sacrifice shouldthey not
make in order to win a powerwhich they may use for the profit of many?
(J. G. Rogers,B.A.)
True wisdom and charity
J. Lyth, D.D.
I. THE DUTY.
1. Give none offence.
2. Pleaseall men.

3. Sacrifice self.
II. THE OBJECT — that they may be saved.
III. THE INCENTIVE — the example of Christ and His apostles (1
Corinthians 11:1).
(J. Lyth, D.D.)
Even as I please all men in all things
Paul pleasing and not pleasing men
H. W. Beecher.
I. HOW HE PLEASED ALL MEN. Consider —
1. The case of Timothy (Acts 16:3).
2. Paul at Athens.
3. Paul at Corinth.
4. His address to Agrippa.
5. His words in reference to meats and drinks.
II. HOW INFLEXIBLY HE REFUSED TO PLEASE MEN WHEN CHRIST
OR THE HONOUR OF THE GOSPELWAS CONCERNED(Galatians
1:10).
III. HOW THESE TWO PHASES OF THE APOSTLE'S SPIRIT ARE IN
HARMONY. Learn —
(1)Christian truth and principle must at all rates be maintained.
(2)Christian moderation and suavity must be exhibited.
(H. W. Beecher.)

The abuse and proper use of the apostolic principle
C. Hodge, D.D.
I. THE PRINCIPLE HAS OFTEN BEEN LAMENTABLYPERVERTED.
1. On the plea of becoming all things to all men, Christians are tempted into
sinful conformity with the habits and amusements of the world.
2. On the same plea the Church of Rome adopted heathen rites, until the
distinction betweenPaganismand Christianity was little more than nominal.
Heathen temples were calledchurches; Pagangods were baptized as saints,
and honoured as before.
II. THE APOSTLE SO ACTED AS TO PRESERVE THE CHURCH FROM
EVERY TAINT OF EITHER PAGANISM OR JUDAISM. The rules which
guided the apostles may be easily deduced from the conduct and epistles of
Paul.
1. They accommodatedthemselves to Jewishor Gentile usages only in matters
of indifference.
2. They abstainedfrom all accommodationevenin things indifferent, under
circumstances whichgave to those things a religious import. They allowed
sacrifices to be eaten;but eating within a temple was forbidden.
3. They concededwhenthe concessionwas notdemanded as a matter of
necessity;but refused when it was so regarded. Paul said circumcisionwas
nothing and uncircumcision was nothing; yet he resistedthe circumcisionof
Titus when it was demanded by the Judaisers.
4. The object of their concessionswas not to gain mere nominal converts, nor
to do awaywith the offence of the Cross (Galatians 4:11), but to save men. No
concessiontherefore, whetherto the manners of the world or to the prejudices
of the ignorant, canplead the sanctionof apostolic example, which has not
that objecthonestly in view.
5. It is included in the above particulars that Paul, in becoming all things to all
men, never compromisedany truth or sanctionedany error.

(C. Hodge, D.D.).
COMMENTARIES
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers
(4) That spiritual Rock that followedthem.—There was a Jewishtradition
that the Rock—i.e., a fragment broken off from the rock smitten by Moses—
followedthe Israelites through their journey, and St. Paul, for the purpose of
illustration, adopts that accountinstead of the statement in Numbers 20:11.
The emphatic repetition of the word “spiritual” before “drink” and “rock”
reminds the readerthat it is the spiritual and not the historic aspectofthe fact
which is presentto St. Paul’s mind. The traditional accountof the Rock was a
more complete illustration of the abiding presence ofGod, which was the
point that the Apostle here desires to bring forward.
And that Rock was Christ.—As Christ was “Godmanifest in the flesh” in the
New Dispensation, so Godmanifest in the Rock (the source of sustaining life)
was the Christ of the Old Dispensation. The Jews had become familiar with
the thought of God as a Rock. (See 1Samuel2:2; Psalm91:12;Isaiah 32:2.)
Though the Jews mayhave recognisedthe Rock poeticallyas God, they knew
not that it was, as a manifestation of God’s presence, typical of the
manifestation which was yet to be given in the Incarnation. Such seems to be
the force of the statement and of the word “But” which emphatically
introduces it. But though they thought it only a Rock, orapplied the word
poeticallyto Jehovah, that Rock was Christ.
BensonCommentary
1 Corinthians 10:4. And did all drink the same spiritual — That is, typical;
drink — Namely, typical of Christ and of the living water, the divine influence

derived from him, John 8:37. For they drank of that spiritual — Or
mysterious; rock — The wonderful streams of which followedthem in their
severaljourneyings for many years through the wilderness. It must be
observed, waterwas twice brought from a rock by a miracle, for the Israelites
in the wilderness;once in Rephidim, which was their eleventh station, and in
the first year after they came out of Egypt; of which miracle we have an
account, Exodus 17.; the secondtime was at Kadesh, which was their thirty-
third station, and in the fortieth year after their leaving Egypt, Numbers 20:1.
To both places the name of Meribah was given; but the latter was called
Meribah-Kadesh, to distinguish it from Meribah of Rephidim. It is the
miracle performed in Rephidim of which the apostle here speaks. The water,
it appears, that issuedfrom this rock formed a brook, which (Deuteronomy
9:21) is said to have descendedout of the mount, that is, out of Horeb;
(Exodus 17:5-6;) for before that miracle there was no brook in these parts.
And it issuedin such abundance as to be termed a river, Psalm78:16; Psalm
105:41. Indeed, six hundred thousand men, with their women and children,
and cattle, required a river to supply them with drink. And Horeb being a
high mountain, there seems to have been a descentfrom it to the sea;and the
Israelites, during the thirty-seven years of their journeying, appear to have
gone by those tracts of country in which the waters from Horeb could follow
them, till in the thirty-ninth year they came to Ezion-Gaber, (Numbers 33:36,)
a port of the Red sea, fardown the Arabian side, where it is supposed the
waterfrom Horeb went into that sea. The country through which the
Israelites journeyed so long a time, being wateredby this river, produced, no
doubt, herbage for the cattle of the Israelites, which, in this desert, must
otherwise have perished. And that Rock was Christ — A manifest type of him,
the Rock ofages, who, being smitten in his death and sufferings, poured forth
streams of redemption, grace, andheavenly blessings, whichfollow his people
through all this wilderness, and will end in rivers of pleasure at the right hand
of God for ever.
Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary
10:1-5 To dissuade the Corinthians from communion with idolaters, and
security in any sinful course, the apostle sets before them the example of the
Jewishnation of old. They were, by a miracle, led through the Red Sea, where

the pursuing Egyptians were drowned. It was to them a typical baptism. The
manna on which they fed was a type of Christ crucified, the Breadwhich
came down from heaven, which whoso eatethshall live for ever. Christ is the
Rock on which the Christian church is built; and of the streams that issue
therefrom, all believers drink, and are refreshed. It typified the sacred
influences of the Holy Spirit, as given to believers through Christ. But let none
presume upon their greatprivileges, or professionof the truth; these will not
secure heavenly happiness.
Barnes'Notes on the Bible
And did all drink the same spiritual drink - The idea here is essentiallythe
same as in the previous verse, that they had been highly favored of God, and
enjoyed tokens of the divine care and guardianship. That was manifestedin
the miraculous supply of water in the desert, thus showing that they were
under the divine protection, and were objects ofthe divine favor. There canbe
no doubt that by "spiritual drink" here, the apostle refers to the waterthat
was made to gush from the rock that was smitten by Moses. Exodus 17:6;
Numbers 20:11. Why this is called "spiritual" has been a subject on which
there has been much difference of opinion. It cannotbe because there was
anything specialin the nature of the water, for it was evidently realwater,
suited to allay their thirst. There is no evidence, as many have supposed, that
there was a reference in this to the drink used in the Lord's Supper. But it
must mean that it was bestowedin a miraculous and supernatural manner;
and the word "spiritual" must be used in the sense ofsupernatural, or that
which is immediately given by God. Spiritual blessings thus stand opposedto
natural and temporal blessings, and the former denote those which are
immediately given by God as an evidence of the divine favor. That the Jews
used the word "spiritual" in this manner is evident from the writings of the
Rabbis. Thus, they calledthe manna "spiritual food" (Yade Mose in Shemor
Rabba, fol. 109. 3); and their sacrifices theycalled "spiritual bread" (Tzeror
Hammer, fol. 93. 2). - Gill. The drink, therefore, here referred to was that
bestowedin a supernatural manner and as a proof of the divine favor.
For they drank of that spiritual Rock - Of the waters which flowed from that
Rock. The Rock here is called"spiritual," not from anything specialin the

nature of the rock, but because it was the source to them of supernatural
mercies, and became thus the emblem and demonstration of the divine favor,
and of spiritual mercies conferredupon them by God.
That followedthem - Margin. "Wentwith" ἀκολουθούσης akolouthousēs.
This evidently cannot mean that the rock itself literally followed them, any
more than that they literally drank the rock, for one is as expresslyaffirmed,
if it is taken literally, as the other. But as when it is said they "drank of the
rock," it must mean that they drank of the water that flowedfrom the rock;
so when it is said that the "rock followed" oraccompaniedthem, it must mean
that the water that flowedfrom the rock accompaniedthem. This figure of
speechis common everywhere. Thus, the Saviour said 1 Corinthians 11:25,
"This cup is the new testament," that is, the wine in this cup represents my
blood, etc.;and Paul says 1 Corinthians 11:25, 1 Corinthians 11:27,
"whosoevershalldrink this cup of the Lord unworthily," that is, the wine in
the cup, etc., and "as oftenas ye drink this cup," etc., that is, the wine
containedin the cup. It would be absurd to suppose that the rock that was
smitten by Moses literally followedthem in the wilderness;and there is not
the slightestevidence in the Old Testamentthat it did. Water was twice
brought out of a rock to supply the needs of the children of Israel. Once at
Mount Horeb, as recordedin Exodus 17:6, in the wilderness of Sin, in the first
year of their departure from Egypt. The secondtime water was brought from
a rock about the time of the death of Miriam at Kadesh, and probably in the
40th year of their departure from Egypt, Numbers 20:1. It was to the former
of these occasions that the apostle evidently refers. In regard to this we may
observe:
(1) That there must have been furnished a large quantity of waterto have
supplied the needs of more than two million people.
(2) it is expresslystatedDeuteronomy 9:21), that "the brook ‫לחנ‬ nachal,
stream, torrent, or river, see Numbers 34:5; Joshua 15:4, Joshua 15:47;1
Kings 8:65; 2 Kings 24:7) descendedout of the mount," and was evidently a
stream of considerable size.

(3) mount Horeb was higher than the adjacent country, and the water that
thus gushed from the rock, instead of collecting into a pool and becoming
stagnant, would flow off in the direction of the sea.
(4) the sea to which it would naturally flow would be the Red Sea, in the
direction of the Easternor Elanitic branch of that sea.
(5) the Israelites would doubtless, in their journeyings, be influenced by the
natural direction of the water, or would not wander far from it, as it was daily
needful for the supply of their needs.
(6) at the end of thirty-seven years we find the Israelites at Ezion-geber, a
seaporton the easternbranch of the Red Sea, where the waters probably
flowed into the sea;Numbers 33:36. In the 40th year of their departure from
Egypt, they left this place to go into Canaanby the country of Edom, and were
immediately in distress again by the lack of water. It is thus probable that the
waterfrom the rock continued to flow, and that it constituted a stream, or
river; that it was near their camp all the time until they came to Ezion-geber;
and that thus, togetherwith the daily supply of manna, it was a proof of the
protection of God, and an emblem of their dependence. If it be said that there
is now no such stream to be found there, it is to be observedthat it is
representedas miraculous, and that it would be just as reasonable to look for
the daily descentof manna there in quantities sufficient to supply more than
two million people, as to expect to find the gushing and running river of
water. The only question is, whether God canwork a miracle, and whether
there is evidence that he has done it. This is not the place to examine that
question. But the evidence is as strong that he performed this miracle as that
he gave the manna, and neither of them is inconsistentwith the power, the
wisdom, or the benevolence of God.
And that Rock was Christ - This cannot be intended to be understood
literally, for it was not literally true. The rock from which the waterflowed
was evidently an ordinary rock, a part of Mount Horeb; and all that this can
mean is, that that rock, with the streamof waterthus gushing from it, was a
representationof the Messiah. The wordwas is thus often used to denote
similarity or representation, and is not to be taken literally. Thus, in the

institution of the Lord's Supper, the Saviour says of the bread, "This is my
body," that is, it represents my body. Thus, also of the cup, "This cup is the
new testamentin my blood," that is, it represents my blood, 1 Corinthians
11:24-25. Thus, the gushing fountain of watermight be regardedas a
representationof the Messiah, andof the blessings which result from him. The
apostle does not say that the Israelites knew that this was designedto be a
representationof the Messiah, andof the blessings which flow from him,
though there is nothing improbable in the supposition that they so understood
and regardedit, since all their institutions were probably regardedas typical.
But he evidently does mean to saythat the rock was a vivid and affecting
representationof the Messiah;that the Jews did partake of the mercies that
flow from him; and that even in the desert they were under his care, and had
in fact among them a vivid representationof him in some sense corresponding
with the emblematic representationof the same favors which the Corinthian
and other Christians had in the Lord's Supper. This representationof the
Messiah, perhaps, was understoodby Paul to consistin the following things:
(1) Christians, like the children of Israel, are passing through the world as
pilgrims, and to them that world is a wilderness - a desert.
(2) they need continued supplies, as the Israelites did, in their journey. The
world, like that wilderness, does not meet their necessities,orsupply their
needs.
(3) that rock was a striking representationof the fulness of the Messiah, ofthe
abundant grace which he imparts to his people.
(4) it was an illustration of their continued and constantdependence on him
for the daily supply of their needs. It should be observedthat many expositors
understand this literally. Bloomfield translates it: "and they were supplied
with drink from the spiritual Rock which followedthem, even Christ." So
Rosenmuller, Calvin, Glass, etc. In defense of this interpretation, it is said,
that the Messiahis often called"a rock" in the Scriptures;that the Jews
believe that the "angelof Jehovah" who who attended them (Exodus 3:2, and
other places)was the Messiah;and that the designof the apostle was, to show
that this "attending Rock," the Messiah, was the source of all their blessings,

and particularly of the waterthat gushed from the rock. But the
interpretation suggestedabove seems to me to be most natural. The design of
the apostle is apparent. It is to show to the Corinthians, who relied so much on
their privileges, and felt themselves so secure, that the Jews had the very same
privileges - had the highesttokens of the divine favor and protection, were
under the guidance and grace ofGod, and were partakers constantlyof that
which adumbrated or typified the Messiah, in a manner as real, and in a form
as much suited to keepup the remembrance of their dependence, as even the
bread and wine in the Lord's Supper.
Jamieson-Fausset-BrownBible Commentary
4. drink—(Ex 17:6). In Nu 20:8, "the beasts" also are mentioned as having
drunk. The literal water typified "spiritual drink," and is therefore so called.
spiritual Rock that followedthem—rather, "accompaniedthem." Not the
literal rock (or its water) "followed" them, as Alford explains, as if Paul
sanctionedthe Jews'tradition (Rabbi Solomon on Nu 20:2) that the rock
itself, or at leastthe streamfrom it, followedthe Israelites from place to place
(compare De 9:21). But Christ, the "Spiritual Rock" (Ps 78:20, 35;De 32:4,
15, 18, 30, 31, 37; Isa 28:16; 1Pe 2:6), accompaniedthem (Ex 33:15).
"Followed"implies His attending on them to minister to them; thus, though
mostly going before them, He, when occasionrequired it, followed"behind"
(Ex 14:19). He satisfiedall alike as to their bodily thirst wheneverthey needed
it; as on three occasions is expresslyrecorded(Ex 15:24, 25;17:6; Nu 20:8);
and this drink for the body symbolized the spiritual drink from the Spiritual
Rock (compare Joh4:13, 14;see on [2288]1Co10:3).
Matthew Poole's Commentary
And all the Jews, as wellthose that perished in the wilderness, as those that
were preserved to go into Canaan, they drank of the waterwhich came out of
the rock, ofwhich we read, Exodus 17:6 Numbers 20:11;which waterwas
spiritual drink in the same respects that the manna was spiritual meat, being
miraculously produced, and being a figure of Christ. For, saith the apostle,

that rock was Christ; that is, that rock did signify or prefigure Christ; the
rock was Christ in the same sense that the bread in the Lord’s supper is the
body of Christ, that is, a sign which by Divine institution did signify Christ.
Here ariseth a question in what sense it is said, that the
rock followedthem? That by the rock is to be understood the waterthat God
made to flow out of the rock, is evident; but though we read of watertwice
fetched out of the rock upon Moses smiting of it; once at Rephidim, before
they came so far as Mount Sinai, Exodus 17:6; anothertime at Kadesh,
Numbers 20:7,8;yet we no where read in the history of the Jewish
journeyings to Canaan, that the rock followedthem. But this is not the only
thing that we read in the New Testamentrelating to the history of the Old
Testament, with some circumstances which we do not find recordedthere; it is
enough that it is plainly assertedhere, and it must be presumed, or how can
we imagine that the Israelites were supplied with waterfor forty years
together? Whereas some object, that if the water, which came out of the rock
at Rephidim, had followedthem, there would have been no need of Moses
striking the rock at Kadesh; it is answered, that God, to try them, probably
causedthe waterto stop. For the analogybetweenthe rock and Christ, divines
make it to lie in these particulars:
1. That Christ is the firm and unmovable foundation of his church, called
therefore a stone, a tried stone, Isaiah28:16 Romans 9:33 1 Peter2:6.
2. As this rock sent out no waterfor the refreshment of the Israelites, till
Moses hadstruck it; so all the benefit we have from Christ as Mediator,
floweth from him as smitten of God, and afflicted.

3. As the waterof the rock servedboth for cleansing, and upholding life in
satisfying thirst; so the blood of Christ is useful to the soul, both for washing
from the guilt of sin, and the upholding spiritual life in a soul.
4. As the rock that followed the Israelites afforded waternot only to that
generationthat were alive and present when the rock was smitten, but to all
the succeeding generations,until the Israelites came into Canaan;so the blood
of Christ is useful not only to his people in this or that place or age, but to all
that shall believe in him, and that till they shall come into the heavenly
Canaan.
Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible
And did all drink the same spiritual drink,.... By which is meant the waterout
of the rock, which was typical of the blood of Christ, which is drink indeed,
and not figurative, as this was, forwhich reasonit is calledspiritual; or of the
grace ofChrist, often signified by water, both in the Old and New Testament;
and is what Moses andthe law could not give; for righteousness andlife, grace
and salvation, could never be had by the works of the law:and very
unpromising it was, and is to carnal men, that these should come by a
crucified Christ, as it was to the Israelites, that water, in such plenty, should
gush out of the rock in Horeb; but as those waters did not flow from thence
without the rock being strickenby the rod of Moses, so the communication of
the blessings ofgrace from Christ is through his being smitten by divine
justice with the rod of the law;through his being, strickenfor the
transgressions ofhis people, and and being made sin, and a curse of the law in
their room and stead. And as those waters continued through the wilderness
as a constantsupply for them, so the grace of Christ is always sufficient for his
people; a continual supply is afforded them; goodness andmercy follow them
all the days of their lives:
for they drank, of that spiritual rock that followed them; by which the apostle
means not Christ himself, for he went before them as the angel of God's
presence, but the rock that typified him; not that the rock itself removed out
of its place, and went after them, but the waters out of the rock ran like rivers,

and followedthem in the wilderness whereverthey went, for the space ofeight
and thirty years, or thereabout, and then were stopped, to make trial of their
faith once more; this was at Kadesh when the rock was struck again, and gave
forth its waters, which, as the continual raining of the manna, was a constant
miracle wrought for them. And this sense ofthe apostle is entirely agreeable
to the sentiments of the Jews, who say, that the Israelites had the well of water
all the forty years (k). The JerusalemTargum (l) says of the
"wellgiven at Mattanah, that it againbecame unto them violent overflowing
brooks, and againascendedto the tops of the mountains, and descendedwith
them into the ancient valleys.''
And to the same purpose the Targum of Jonathanben Uzziel (m),
"that it again ascendedwith them to the highestmountains, and from the
highest mountains it descendedwith them to the hills, and encompassedthe
whole camp of Israel, and gave drink to everyone at the gate of his own
dwelling place; and from the high mountains it descendedwith them into the
deep valleys.''
Yea, they speak of the rock in much the same language the apostle does, and
seemto understand it of the rock itself, as if that really went along with the
Israelites in the wilderness. Thus one of their writers (n) on those words,
"must we fetch you water out of this rock?" makesthis remark:
"for they knew it not, , "for that rock went", and remained among the rocks.''
And in another place it is said (o),
"that the rock became in the form of a beehive; (elsewhere (p) it is said to be
round as a sieve;) and rolled along, , "and came with them", in their journeys;
and when the standard bearers encamped, and the tabernacle stoodstill, the
rock came, and remained in the court of the tent of the congregation;and the
princes came and stoodupon the top of it, and said, ascend, O well, and it
ascended.''

Now, though in this accountthere is a mixture of fable, yet there appears
something of the old true tradition receivedin the Jewishchurch, which the
apostle has here respectto.
And the rock was Christ: that is, it signified Christ, it was a type of him. So
the Jews (q) say, that the Shekinahis called , "the holy rock";and Philo the
Jew says (r) of this rock, that the broken rock is , "the wisdom of God".
Christ may be comparedto the rock for his outward meanness in his
parentage and education, in his ministry and audience, in his life and death;
and for his height also, being made higher than the kings of the earth, than the
angels in heaven, and than the heavens themselves;and for shelterand safety
from the wrath of God, and from the rage of men; and for firmness, solidity,
and strength, which are seenin his upholding all things by his power, in
bearing the sins of his people, and the punishment due unto them, in the
support of his church, and bearing up his people under all afflictions and
temptations, and in preserving them from a total and final falling away:and a
rock he appears to be, as he is the foundation of his church and every believer,
againstwhich hell and earth can never prevail; and to it he may be likened for
duration, his love being immovable, his righteousness everlasting, his
salvationeternal, and he, as the foundation of his church, abiding for ever.
(k) Jarchi in Numbers 20.2.((l)In Numbers 21.20. (m) In ib. (n) Jarchiin
Numbers 20.10. (o)Bemidbar Rabba, sect. 1. fol. 177. 2.((p) Gloss. in T. Bab.
Pesach. fol. 54. 1.((q) Zohar in Num. fol. 87. 4. & Imre Binah in ib. (r) Lib.
Allegor. l. 3. p. 1103.
Geneva Study Bible
And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual
Rock that {f} followedthem: and that Rock was {g}Christ.
(f) Of the River and running Rock, who followedthe people.
(g) Did signify Christ as an ordinance, so that togetherwith the sign, there
was the thing signified, and the truth itself. ForGod does not offer a bare sign,
but the thing signified by the sign togetherwith it, which is to be receivedwith
faith.

EXEGETICAL(ORIGINAL LANGUAGES)
Cambridge Bible for Schools andColleges
4. and did all drink the same spiritual drink] This miraculous supply of water,
vouchsafedon two occasions (Exodus 17:1-6;Numbers 20:1-11)belonged, like
the manna, not to the natural, but to the spiritual order of God’s Providence,
which has its necessarypoints of contactwith the lowerand more contracted
natural order, and issues in what we callmiracles. Hence they were types of
still greatermiracles, which belong howevermore exclusively to the spiritual
order of things, namely, the nourishing the Christian Church with the
“spiritual food of the Body and Blood of Christ” In this sense, StAugustine
(Tract. 26 super Joannem)says well, “Sacramentailla fuerunt, in signis
diversa fed in re quæ significatur paria,” because it was Christ who was the
miraculous support and preservationof the Israelites in the wilderness, as
well as of Christians in their pilgrimage through the world.
for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followedthem] The Targums of
Onkelos and Jonathanspeak of a ‘well’ which followed the Israelites in their
wanderings. In the Bemidbar Rabbah (c. i.) it is a Rock, in shape like a bee-
hive, which rolled. continually forward to accompanythe Israelites ontheir
way (for the tradition consult Wetstein, or Schöttgen). Our greatRabbinical
scholarLightfoot rejects this interpretation, and believes that the expression
refers, not to the rock, but the streams which issuedfrom it, and which were
gatheredinto pools wherever they encamped. It was to this, and not to the
rock, that the words in Numbers 21:17 are supposedto be addressed. Estius
cites Psalm78:16; Psalm105:41 in support of the same view. See also
Deuteronomy 9:21, ‘the brook that descendedfrom the mount.’ Meyerthinks
that the tradition was a later invention of the Rabbis, since the Targums in
their present shape cannot be traced back farther than the secondcentury. It
possibly grew out of an older tradition, here referred to, that a spiritual power
invisibly accompaniedthe Israelites, and ministered to their temporal wants.

and that Rock was Christ]See last note but one. Christ was the true source of
all their nourishment, and He went with them whithersoeverthey went He,
the Angel of the Covenant(Exodus 23:20-21;Exodus 23:23; Exodus 32:34;
Joshua 5:13) was their guide and their support. Cf. St John 4:10; John 4:14;
John 7:37-38. Forthe term Rock, as applied to God, see Deuteronomy32:4;
Deuteronomy 32:15;Deuteronomy 32:18;Deuteronomy 32:30-31;
Deuteronomy 32:37;Psalm18:1, and many other passagesin the Psalms too
numerous to quote. We can hardly dismiss this passagewithout quoting
Bengel’s remark;“Had there been more than two Sacraments, StPaul would
have pointed out some spiritual resemblance to them.”
Bengel's Gnomen
1 Corinthians 10:4. Πόμα, drink) This relates rather to Exodus 17:6, than to
Numbers 20:8, where mention is made also of cattle.—γὰρ,for) Such as is the
rock, such is the water.—ἐκ πνευματικῆς ἀκολουθούσης πέτρας, from the
spiritual rock, that followedthem) The article τῆς is not added. The people
did not know, what the rock was;therefore Paul long after adds, but the rock
was Christ. This spiritual rock is spokenof as following them, not on account
of its following the people; for it rather went before them; but because,
although at that time it was really present with them, 1 Corinthians 10:9, yet
it was only in after ages that at length it was made knownto them; comp. on
the word ἀκολουθεῖν, to follow, 1 Timothy 5:24; on the order of natural and
spiritual things, 1 Corinthians 15:46.
Pulpit Commentary
Verse 4. - The same spiritual drink. The waterfrom the smitten rock might
(Exodus 17:6; Numbers 20:11)be called a "spiritual" drink, both as being a
miraculous gift (comp. Galatians 4:29, where Isaac is said to be "born after
the spirit"), and as being a type of that "living water" which "springs up into
everlasting life" (John 4:14; John 7:37), and of the blood of Christ in the
Eucharist(John 6:55). These "watersin the wilderness" and "rivers in the
desert" were a natural symbol of the grace of God (Isaiah43:23; Isaiah55:1),
especiallyas bestowedin the sacramentthrough material signs. They drank;
literally, they were drinking, implying a continuous gift. Of that spiritual

Rock that followedthem; rather, literally, of a spiritual following Rock. This
is explained
(1) as a mere figure of speech, in which the natural rock which Moses smote is
left out of sight altogether;and
(2) as meaning that not the rock, but the waterfrom the rock, followedafter
them in their wanderings (Deuteronomy 9:21). There can, however, be little or
no doubt that St. Paul refers to the common JewishHagadah, that the actual
material rock did follow the Israelites in their wanderings. The rabbis said
that it was round, and rolled itself up like a swarm of bees, and that, when the
tabernacle was pitched, this rock came and settledin its vestibule, and began
to flow when the princes came to it and sang, "Spring up, O well; sing ye unto
it" (Numbers 21:17). It does not, of course, follow from this allusion that St.
Paul, or even the rabbis, believed their Hagadahin other than a metaphorical
sense. The JewishHagadoth - legends and illustrations and inferences of an
imaginative Oriental people - are not to be taken au pied de la lettre. St. Paul
obviates the laying of any stress on the mere legend by the qualifying word, "a
spiritual Rock." And that Rock was Christ. The writings of Philo, and the
Alexandrian schoolof thought in general, had familiarized all Jewishreaders
with language ofthis kind. They were accustomedto see types of God, or of
the Word (Logos), in almostevery incident of the deliverance from Egypt and
the wanderings in the wilderness. Thus in Wisd. 10:15 and Wisdom 11:4 it is
Wisdom - another form of the Logos - who leads and supports the Israelites.
The frequent comparison, of God to a Rock in the Old Testament
(Deuteronomy 32, passim; 1 Samuel 2:2; Psalm 91:12, etc.)would render the
symbolism more easy, especiallyas in Exodus 17:6 we find, "Behold, I
[Jehovah] will stand before thee there upon the rock in Horeb."
Vincent's Word Studies
Drink - spiritual drink

Spiritual, like the meat, in being supernaturally given. The aoristtense
denotes something past, yet without limiting it to a particular occasion. They
drank at Rephidim (Exodus 17:6), but they continued to drink spiritual drink,
for -
They drank (ἔπινον)
The imperfect tense denoting continued action - throughout their journey.
That spiritual rock
For that read a. Paul appears to recall a rabbinic tradition that there was a
well formed out of the spring in Horeb, which gathered itself up into a rock
like a swarmof bees, and followedthe people for forty years;sometimes
rolling itself, sometimes carried by Miriam, and always addressedby the
elders, when they encamped, with the words, "Spring up, O well!" Numbers
21:17. Stanley says:"In accordance withthis notion, the Rock ofMoses, as
pointed out by the localtradition of Mt. Sinai, is not a cleft in the mountain,
but a detachedfragment of rock about fifteen feet high, with twelve or more
fissures in its surface, from which the wateris said to have gushed out for the
twelve tribes. This localtradition is as old as the Koran, which mentions this
very stone."
Was Christ
Showing that he does not believe the legend, but only uses it allegorically. The
important point is that Christ the Word was with His people under the old
covenant. "In eachcase we recognize the mystery of a 'real presence"'
(Ellicott). "Godwas in Christ" here, as from the beginning. The mosaic and
the christian economies are only different sides of one dispensation, which is a
gospeldispensationthroughout. The Jewishsacraments are not mere types of
ours. They are identical.
END OF BIBLEHUB RESOURCES

PRECEPTAUSTIN RESOURCES
SIMEON
DISCOURSE:1969
THE MANNA AND ROCK TYPES OF CHRIST
1 Corinthians 10:3-4. They did all eat the same spiritual meat; and did all
drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual rock that
followedthem: and that rock was Christ.
THOUGH it is certain that the covenantof grace is ordered in all things and
sure, and that God will fulfil his promises to all who believe, yet there is no
man so absolutely assuredof his own interest in the Divine favour, as that he
can with safetycastoff all watchfulness and circumspection. The Corinthians,
by going to the utmost verge of their Christian liberty in eating things offered
to idols, were in danger of being drawn back into actualidolatry. The Apostle
recommends to them therefore to exercise self-denial, as wellfor their own
sake, thatthey might not be ensnared, as for the sake ofothers, whose weak
consciencesmight be wounded. He tells them that he himself felt the necessity
of mortifying all his appetites, and that he was obligedto “keephis body
under, and to bring it into subjection, lestby any means, after having
preachedto others, he himself should be a cast-away.” He then proceeds to
remind them of the Israelites, who, notwithstanding the numberless privileges
that they enjoyed, as God’s peculiar people, perished in the wilderness for
their manifold provocations. Among the privileges which he specifies, we shall
fix our attention upon that referred to in the text; and shall take occasion
from it to inquire,
I. What was that spiritual food which the Israelites partook ofin the
wilderness?
God, having brought his people into the wilderness, sustainedthem there with
miraculous supplies of bread and water—

[About six weeks aftertheir departure out of Egypt [Note: Exodus 16:1.],
their provisions were spent, and they began to be in want of bread. God
therefore promised them a constantsupply from day to day: forbidding them
to reserve any for the morrow, except on the day preceding the sabbath, when
they were to gather sufficient for two days’ consumption. This food(which for
want of any more appropriate name they called manna, i. e. a portion)
descendedfrom the clouds every night; and, when the dew that coveredit was
exhaled by the sun, it appeared on the face of the ground: it was a very small
white thing like coriander seed, which they ground in their mills, and baked;
and, in taste, it was like wafers made of fresh oil and honey [Note:Exodus
16:13-31. with Numbers 11:8.]. Of this there was a constantand regular
supply for forty years; nor did it ever fail, till their want of it was superseded
by the corn, of which they got possessionin the laud of Canaan. In like
manner, waterwas given them out of a rock in Horeb, by a stroke ofthat rod,
with which Moses had divided the Red Sea [Note:Exodus 17:5-6.]:and it was
made to follow them in all their encampments for about thirty-eight years;
when, for their further trial, the stream was dried up, and a similar miracle
was wrought for them againin Kadesh-barnea [Note: Numbers 20:8-11.].]
This food, though carnal in its nature and use, was truly “spiritual;”
inasmuch as it was,
1. A typical representationof Christ—
[Our Lord himself copiouslydeclares this with respectto the manna: He
draws a parallel betweenthe bread which Mosesgave to the Israelites, and
himself as the true bread that was given them from heaven; and shews that, as
the manna supported the natural life of that nation for a time, so he would
give spiritual and eternallife to the whole believing world [Note:John 6:48-
58.]. The same truth he also establishes, in reference to the waterthat
proceededfrom the rock. He told the Samaritanwoman, that if she would
have askedof him he would have given her living water [Note:John 4:10-14.].
And on another occasionhe stoodin the place of public concourse, and cried,
“If any man thirst, let him come unto me and drink [Note:John 7:37-38.];”
thereby declaring himself to be the only “wellof salvation,” the only rock
from whence the living watercould proceed. Indeed, the Apostle, in the very

words of the text, puts this matter beyond a doubt; “they drank of that
spiritual Rock that followedthem;” and “that Rock was Christ.”]
2. A sacramentalpledge of his blessings—
[Under the Gospeldispensationthere are two sacraments, baptismand the
Lord’s supper: and these are not only “outwardand visible signs of an inward
and spiritual grace,”but they are also “means whereby we receive that grace,
and a pledge to assure us thereof.” Thus when the Israelites were “baptized
unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea,” they were consecratedunto God; and
they received, as it were, an earnestfrom him, that all the blessings of his
covenantshould in due time be imparted to them, unless they, by their
violation of the covenant, should provoke him to withhold them. In the same
manner the bread and watermiraculously given and continued to them, were
a pledge, that they should one day “eatof the hidden manna,” and “drink of
the rivers of pleasure which are at his right hand for evermore,” provided
they continued steadfastin the covenant, and walkedworthy of their heavenly
calling. Thus while their daily food typically represented, and, to those who
partook of it in faith, really conveyed, spiritual blessings, it was “anearnestto
them of that Spirit,” whom the watertypified, and “an earnestof that
inheritance,” which Christ should purchase for them by his obedience unto
death [Note: 2 Corinthians 1:22. Ephesians 1:14.].]
And that this food was not peculiar to them may be shewn by considering,
II. In what respects it was the same with that which we now partake of—
When the Apostle says, that they all eat the same spiritual meat, he does not
mean that all the Israelites subsistedon the same food (for that was obvious
enough, and was of no consequenceto his subject) but that their spiritual
food, representedby the manna and the water, was the same that still
nourishes the Church of God. To elucidate this we may observe, it was the
same,
1. In its nature and substance—
[As their bodies could not have maintained their vigour without the daily use
of bread and water, so neither could their souls flourish, unless they daily fed

upon Christ, the living bread, and receivedfrom him renewed
communications of his Spirit. And are there any other means of subsistence
for our souls? Has not our Lord expresslytold us, that “exceptwe eat his flesh
and drink his blood, we have no life in us?” Has not St. Paul also assuredus,
that none can belong to Christ unless they be partakers ofhis Spirit [Note:
Romans 8:9.]? We are as destitute of strength in ourselves as the Israelites
were;and need the same direction, support, and succour. If any man could be
sufficient of himself, surely the greatApostle of the Gentiles was:but he
corrects himself instantly when he appeared to have suggestedan idea that
was capable of that interpretation; “I live,” says he, “yet not I, but Christ
liveth in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh, I live by the faith of the
Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me [Note:Galatians 2:20.].”
This is preciselywhat the believers in the wilderness did, when they subsisted
on their spiritual food; and it is what every believer must do as long as the
world shall stand.]
2. In its use and tendency—
[The daily supply of manna, and of the waterfrom the rock, continually
reminded them of their dependence upon God, and encouragedthem to serve
him with a willing mind. But the conveyance ofspiritual blessings to them
under these symbols would go further still, and actually produce the
dispositions, which the outward blessings couldonly tacitly recommend. And
what are the dispositions which the eating of the bread of life, and the
drinking of the living water uniformly create? Do they not lead us to a
dependence on God’s care, and a devotedness to his service? The very end for
which our Saviour died, was, that they who live should not henceforthlive
unto themselves, but unto him who died for them: no doubt therefore his love,
when shed abroad in the heart, will incline us to do this [Note:2 Corinthians
5:14-15.];and his grace communicatedto the soul, will enable us to do it.]
We may learn from hence,
1. In what spirit we should attend the ordinances of the Gospel—
[The Israelites were left to feel their need of food before the miraculous
supplies were given them: and with what avidity would they gather up the

new createdbread! with what insatiable appetite would they bow down to
drink of the flowing stream! Such is the spirit with which we should approach
the ordinances of our God. In them the manna is rained round about our
tents: in them the rock is struck, and the waters of salvationflow around us:
and if we come hungering and thirsting, we shall never be sent empty away.
Let none then considerthe ordinances as mere occasionsforgratifying their
curiosity, but as the place where spiritual food is set before them for the
support and comfort of their souls. The Israelites would ask but one question:
Is this provision suited to my necessities? So neither should we concern
ourselves much about the manner in which the ordinances are dispensed, but
rather go, that we may receive Christ in them, and have more abundant
communications of his Spirit imparted to us.]
2. What should be the habit of our minds when we have partakenof spiritual
blessings—
[The particular objectof the Apostle in the text is, to inculcate the necessityof
fear and caution: and the argument he uses is well calculatedto effect his
purpose. Two millions of Israelites came out of Egypt: they were brought in
safetythrough the Red Sea, and supported by this miraculous food: yet, of all
who had attained the age of twenty, two only were suffered to enter into the
promised land. All the rest perished in the wilderness:and the very profession
which they made, and the privileges which they enjoyed, servedbut to
enhance, in most instances, it is to be feared, their eternal condemnation.
Moreoverthey were intended by God himself as examples to us [Note:τυποι,
ver. 6, 11.];that we, admonished by their fate, might suppress all irregular
desires, and walk more worthy of our high calling. Well therefore does the
Apostle add, “Let him that thinketh he standeth take heedlest he fall.” We
never are so much in dangeras when we think ourselves mostsecure. Let us
then “not be high-minded, but fear:” whatever mercies we have experienced,
and whateverenjoyment of spiritual blessings may have been vouchsafedto
us, let us remember, that we are not beyond the reachof temptation: we may
“have escapedfor a while the pollutions of the world, and yet be again
entangledtherein and overcome [Note:2 Peter2:20.]:” it is not sufficient for
us to have “tastedthe goodword of God, and the powers of the world to
come:” we may still “fall away, and return to a state from whence we shall

never be renewedto repentance [Note:Hebrews 6:5-6.].” “Let all then take
heed, lest, a promise being left them of entering into God’s rest, they should
by any means come short of it [Note: Hebrews 4:1.].”]
1 CORINTHIANS, X. 3, 4.
See Sermon on 1 Timothy 1:11. where it forms the third Sermon of a series.
Verse 11
DISCOURSE:1970
THE JUDGMENTSON THE ISRAELITES TYPICAL
1 Corinthians 10:11. Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples:
and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world
are come.
THE Holy Scriptures were not given to the world, to amuse us with an
accountof past occurrences, but to instruct us in the way to eternallife. Nor
are the historical parts less conducive to this end, than the preceptive; since
they shew us, in a striking view, the characters ofthem that are saved, and of
them that perish. The history of the Israelites would be entertaining as a
romance;but, as an exemplification of God’s dealings with his Church, it is
inestimable. Hence the Apostle expresses greatconcernthat the Corinthian
Church should be acquainted with the things that had happened to the Jewish
nation; in order that they themselves might be on their guard, lest, resembling
the Jews in their conduct, they should also resemble them in their fate.
Let us consider,
I. The typical events here specified—
The Jews, notwithstanding the mercies vouchsafedto them, perished in the
wilderness for their iniquities—

[Great, exceeding great, were the favours conferredupon them: they were
brought, under the immediate direction of God, through the Red Sea, and
were baptized thereby into the covenant which God made with them by
Moses.Theywere also sustainedby food miraculously afforded them, food,
not carnalonly, but “spiritual,” if spiritually improved [Note:ver. 1–4.].
But, instead of following the Lord fully, “they forgat God their Saviour,” and
addicted themselves to idolatry, to fornication, to distrust and murmuring
[Note:ver. 7–10.].
For these, and other impieties, the heavy wrath of God came upon them; and
two only, of all the adults who had come out of Egypt, were suffered to enter
into the promised land.]
In this view they were intended as types and ensamples [Note:τύποι.] to us—
[St. Petermentions the judgments inflicted on fallen angels, the antediluvian
world, and the cities of the plain, as exemplifying those which should come
upon all, who at any period, should live and die in an ungodly state [Note:2
Peter2:4-6.]. St. Jude, in addition to those instances, mentions also the
Israelites, who perished in the wilderness [Note:Jude, ver. 5.]. The former
might properly representthe people, who are wholly ignorant of God; the
latter may more particularly characterize those who profess religion:and the
disappointment which they experiencedin consequenceoftheir sins, was
typical of that, which all must experience, who profess to have been called
with a holy calling, and yet walk unworthy of their profession. In them we see
that the greaterour privileges, the heavier, if we abuse them, will be our
condemnation.]
Being so deeply interested in the events recordedconcerning them, we should
considerattentively,
II. The admonitions they give us—
The Jewishdispensationclosed, and the Christian dispensationcommenced,
in the apostolic age:and, this being the last that ever shall be given to the
world, we who live under it may be said to live in the concluding period of the
world.

Now the foregoing events admonish us,
1. Notto restin a mere professionof religion—
[It was to no purpose that the Israelites calledthemselves the people of God,
while they were unmindful of the obligations which such a professionentailed
upon them. While they called God and Abraham their father, they were, like
their descendants also, children of the wickedone [Note:John 8:39; John
8:41; John 8:44.]. Thus it will be in vain for us to call ourselves Christians, if
we have not the poweras well as the form of godliness [Note:Jeremiah7:4.].
On the contrary, as God disowned the people before referred to, so, however
confident our claims to his favour may be, will He disown us in the day of
judgment [Note: Compare Deuteronomy 9:12. with Matthew 7:21-23.]. Let us
seek then to be Christians, “not in word, and in tongue, but in deed and in
truth.” Let us not only unite ourselves to the church of God, but also devote
ourselves to Godin body, soul, and spirit.]
2. Notto indulge any evil desires—
[This is particularly specified by the Apostle as a principal end for which these
events were recorded [Note:ver. 6]. Had the Israelites watchedagainstthe
first risings of sensualityand lewdness, they had not fallen into those
numerous sins which brought upon them God’s heavy displeasure. And, if we
would be preservedfrom spiritual idolatry, or even from the grossestacts of
uncleanness, we must avoid all needless connexionwith an idolatrous world,
and labour to suppress the first motions of sin which work in our members.
“Godrequires truth in our inward parts;” nor shall any but the pure in heart
ever behold his face in peace [Note:Matthew 5:8.]. An “hypocrite in heart
only treasures up wrath againstthe day of wrath.”]
3. Notso to presume on any past mercies, as to forgetthat we have need of
continual watchfulness and circumspection—
[The Israelites thought, that, after so many signalmanifestations of God’s
favour towards them, they could never be castoff. But, like Lot’s wife, they
stand as a pillar of salt to us [Note: Luke 17:32.]. Let not us then forget, that
we may have “escapedthe corruption that is in the world through lust, and

yet be entangledagain with it and overcome [Note:2 Peter2:20.];” and that
“we may have been enlightened by the word of God, and have tasted of the
powers of the world to come, and yet so apostatize, as never to be renewed
unto repentance [Note:Hebrews 6:4-6.].” The Apostle himself felt the
necessityof“keeping his body under, lest, after having preached to others, he
himself should be a cast-away[Note:1 Corinthians 9:27.]:” much more
therefore should we, howeverconfident we may be of our own steadfastness,
“take heedlest we fall [Note:ver. 12.].” Let us then not be satisfiedwith
having come out of Egypt, or having put ourselves under the Divine guidance,
or having lived hitherto on Christ, the living bread and living water:but let us
go on in dependence on his grace, and in obedience to his will. Let us combine
a consciousnessofour proneness to fall, with an humble affiance in him, “who
alone is able to keepus from falling, and to present us faultless before the
presence ofhis glory with exceeding joy [Note:Jude, ver. 24.].”]
Be admonished then, every one of you, my beloved brethren—
1. Ye who are resting in outward forms—
[See how earnestthe Apostle Paul was in impressing these facts on the minds
of his Corinthian converts:“I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant
of these things [Note:ver. 1.].” So sayI to you: “I would not have you ignorant
of them.” Indeed, indeed, they are too little considered. If you had askedall
the six hundred thousand men after they had passedthe Red Sea, and beheld
all their enemies dead upon the seashore,Whither are you going? They would
all have confidently replied, “We are going to Canaan, and doubt not but that
we shall in due time possessit.” And this is what all say respecting heaven. But
of them only two ever arrived in safetyat that goodland. And I tremble to
think how many of you will in all probability fall short of the promised restin
heaven. You are all Christians in name: but are you all such in truth? Would
to God ye were! Would to Godthat ye were all living by faith on the Lord
Jesus, and altogetherdevotedto his service! — — — But I must tell you, that
“the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent must take it by
force:” for neither can a race be won, nor a battle gained, without very
different exertions from what we behold in the Christian world at large.]

2. Ye who make a professionof vital godliness—
[This was the state of the Corinthian Church, on whose minds St. Paul
laboured so earnestlyto impress these known and acknowledgedfacts. Think
not then, my brethren, that it is superfluous for me to inculcate the
considerationof them upon you, and such an improvement of them as your
state demands. Think not that ye have attained such stability as to render
these admonitions unnecessary:but know, that the more you possess ofholy
fear, the more certain will you be of God’s effectualaid. It is only when you
are weak in yourselves, that you are really strong; and, when in a simple
dependence upon God you are “following the Lord fully,” then only canyou
hope, with Caleband Joshua, to possess thatgoodland that floweth with milk
and honey.
Chuck Smith
Sermon Notes for 1 Corinthians 10:4
"THAT ROCK WAS CHRIST"
I. PAUL IS POINTING OUT THAT THE EXPERIENCESTHAT THE
CHILDREN OF ISRAEL WENT THROUGH WERE INTENDEDAS
EXAMPLES FOR US AND WERE WRITTEN FOR OUR ADMONITION.
A. This is known as Biblical typology. These things become spiritual types.
1. Their bondage in Egypt is a type of our bondage in sin.
2. Pharaohis a type of Satan, who sought to hold them in bondage, and even
after they escapedsoughtto pursue them that he might keepthem in bondage.
3. Their passing through the Red Sea on dry ground was a type of our
baptism whereby we are separatedfrom our old life through baptism.
4. Their receiving the life giving waterout of the smitten Rock is a type of our
receiving life from our Saviorbeing smitten for us.

5. Their miraculous preservationthrough the wilderness wanderings while
journeying to the promised land are a type of God's preservationof us as we
journey toward the promised land.
6. Their crossing Jordaninto the promised land is a type of our dying to the
life ruled by the flesh and entering into the life governed by the Spirit.
B. Paul reminds them of the waterthat flowedout of the smitten rock that
brought them life when they were perishing of thirst.
1. Paul declares to us that that rock was Christ.
2. Jesus spoke ofthe waterof life that He would give to those who were
thirsty.
C. Jesus spoke ofthe waterof life that He could give to those who were
thirsty.
1. To the Samaritanwoman at the well.
2. Jesus saidif she drank of that watershe would thirst againbut if she drank
of the waterthat He could give to her she would never thirst againbut that it
would be like a wellof living waterspringing up from within.
3. On the feastday Jesus cried to the assembledmultitude. "If any man thirst,
let him come unto Me and drink and he that drinks of the water that I give, as
the scripture says, out of his innermost being will flow rivers of living water.
4. In the book of Revelation, the last invitation that is made by God to man
concerns drinking of the water of life.
REV 22:17 And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth
say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoeverwill, let him take
the waterof life freely.
II. THE ROCK IS OFTEN USED AS A SYMBOL OR A TYPE OF GOD.
DEU 32:3 BecauseI will publish the name of the LORD: ascribe ye greatness
unto our God.
DEU 32:4 [He is] the Rock,

DEU 32:18 Of the Rock [that] begatthee thou art unmindful, and hast
forgottenGod that formed thee. When the Lord delivered David from the
hand of Saul he sang,
2SA 22:2 The LORD [is] my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer;
2SA 22:3 The God of my rock;in him will I trust: He later asked:
2SA 22:32 For who [is] God, save the LORD? and who [is] a rock, save our
God? In Psalm18 he declared,
PSA 18:46 The LORD liveth; and blessed[be] my rock;and let the God of my
salvationbe exalted. David said, The Rock ofIsraelspoke to me saying, he
that ruleth over man must be just.
PSA 42:9 I will sayunto God my rock, Why hast thou forgotten me? why go I
mourning because ofthe oppressionof the enemy?
PSA 61:2 From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is
overwhelmed: lead me to the rock [that] is higher than I.
A. In the book of Daniel as he interpreted the dream for Nebuchadnezzerof
the kingdoms that would rule over the world, when he got to the next to last
world dominating kingdom the feet of iron and clay, as he watchedthere came
a Stone not cut with hands and it smote the image in its feet, so that the whole
image crumbled and the Stone grew into a mountain that coveredthe earth.
1. This is a prophecy of the secondcoming of Jesus to setup the Kingdom of
God that will rule over the whole earth.
2. Jesus is that stone not cut with hands.
3. He is the Rock that was smitten from which the water of life flowedout to
the people of God.
B. In the first experience ofthe waterout of the rock, the people of Israelhad
come to Rephidin, and there was no water there. They came to Moses and
beganto accuseMosesofbringing them out of Egypt that he might kill them
with thirst. Moses criedto the Lord, and asked, "Whatshall I do for the

people are ready to stone me?" The Lord commanded him to take his rod and
smite the rock and that water would come out.
C. Later as they were in the desert of Zin again without waterwe read in
Numbers the story:
NUM 20:1 Then came the children of Israel, [even] the whole congregation,
into the desert of Zin in the first month: and the people abode in Kadesh; and
Miriam died there, and was buried there.
NUM 20:2 And there was no water for the congregation:and they gathered
themselves togetheragainstMosesand againstAaron.
NUM 20:3 And the people chode with Moses, andspake, saying, Would God
that we had died when our brethren died before the LORD!
NUM 20:4 And why have ye brought up the congregationofthe LORD into
this wilderness, that we and our cattle should die there?
NUM 20:5 And wherefore have ye made us to come up out of Egypt, to bring
us in unto this evil place? it [is] no place of seed, or of figs, or of vines, or of
pomegranates;neither [is] there any waterto drink.
NUM 20:6 And Moses andAaron went from the presence ofthe assembly
unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, and they fell upon their
faces:and the glory of the LORD appeared unto them.
NUM 20:7 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
NUM 20:8 Take the rod, and gather thou the assemblytogether, thou, and
Aaron thy brother, and speak ye unto the rock before their eyes;and it shall
give forth his water, and thou shalt bring forth to them waterout of the rock:
so thou shalt give the congregationand their beasts drink.
NUM 20:9 And Moses took the rod from before the LORD, as he commanded
him.
NUM 20:10 And Moses and Aaron gatheredthe congregationtogetherbefore
the rock, and he said unto them, Hear now, ye rebels; must we fetch you water
out of this rock?

NUM 20:11 And Moses lifted up his hand, and with his rod he smote the rock
twice:and the watercame out abundantly, and the congregationdrank, and
their beasts [also].
NUM 20:12 And the LORD spake unto Moses andAaron, Because ye believed
me not, to sanctify me in the eyes of the children of Israel, therefore ye shall
not bring this congregationinto the land which I have given them.
D. Later as Moses spoketo the Lord seeking to change the ban againsthis
going into the promised land, Mosessaid:
DEU 3:23 And I besoughtthe LORD at that time, saying,
DEU 3:24 O Lord GOD, thou hast begun to shew thy servant thy greatness,
and thy mighty hand: for what God [is there] in heaven or in earth, that can
do according to thy works, and according to thy might?
DEU 3:25 I pray thee, let me go over, and see the goodland that [is] beyond
Jordan, that goodly mountain, and Lebanon.
DEU 3:26 But the LORD was wroth with me for your sakes,and would not
hear me: and the LORD said unto me, Let it suffice thee; speak no more unto
me of this matter.
E. The Lord said that Moses was bannedfrom going into the promised land
because he rebelled againstthe commandment of God, and did not sanctify
God before the people at the waters of Meribah in the wilderness of Zin. How
so?
F. Did not God tell Mosesto strike the rock in the earlierepisode? Yes, but
this time he told Moses to speak to the rock, and Moses in his anger with the
people smote the rock twice.
1. Mosesthus destroyed the type that God was creating for the future
generations.
2. It was necessarythat the rock be smitten the first time that the water of life
flow forth to the people of God.

3. Once smitten the rock never needed to be smitten again, all one has to do is
to speak to the rock and the waterof life will flow forth to them.
4. Jesus had to be smitten in order that we might receive the forgiveness of
our sins. Once smitten He never needs be smitten again. All we have to do is to
speak to the Rock and the waterof life will flow freely to us.
G. Salvationis so simple. If you will believe on the Lord Jesus Christ you will
be saved is the answerthat Paul gave to the Phillipian jailor when he asked,
"What must I do to be saved?"
H. To the church in Rome Paul declaredthat salvationwas not something that
was far awayor difficult to attain, but it was close to them as close as their
mouths. For if they would confess withtheir mouths that Jesus Christ was
Lord, and believe in their hearts that God had raisedHim from the dead, they
would be saved.
I. It is so simple that a child canreceive, and they go around with the joy and
assurance thatJesus is in their hearts.
END OF PRECEPT AUSTIN RESOURCES
2013-02-13 by Ethan Longhenry
The Rock ofLiving Water
And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of a spiritual rock
that followedthem: and the rock was Christ (1 Corinthians 10:4).
The situation in Corinth was dire. Paul knew that the brethren needed to
understand the consequencesofdisobeying God, and he turned to the story of
Israel’s exodus and wanderings in the desertto illustrate God’s reactions to
sin. To make his point clear, Paulwrote of the exodus and the wanderings of
Israelin Christian terms through allegory. In so doing, Paul presented a
wonderful wayto understand Israel’s exodus and wanderings in Christian

terms, and also to understand our own walk with Christ in terms of Israel’s
exodus and wanderings.
One such aspectof Israel’s wanderings is illustrated in 1 Corinthians 10:4:
Israeldrinking from the “spiritual rock.” This rock “followed” them, and the
“Rock was Christ!” Paul provides much that requires spiritual insight and
understanding!
Paul refers to the story found in Exodus 17:1-7 when Israel is in the
wilderness. They have no waterand demand drink from Moses. Mosesasks
why they quarrel with him and test God, and they continue to grumble, asking
why they were brought out of Egypt to die of thirst in the wilderness. Godtells
Moses to strike the rock, and watercame forth from it to drink. The place
would be knownas MassahandMeribah, the place where Israel testedGod.
Moses willlater strike another rock to provide water for Israel, although he
was commanded merely to speak to it (Numbers 20:2-12).
When we read of Israel’s wanderings in the wilderness, we must not think of
wildernesses withwhich we are familiar, with trees and birds and the like.
The wildernessesin which Israelwandered were deserts, quite inhospitable,
and on their own insufficient to sustain Israel’s numbers. While Israel
wandered in the wilderness, they were entirely dependent on Godfor food and
water; He always provided for them.
We may understand from Exodus 16:2-5 that manna, the food with which
God sustainedIsrael, fell like dew from the heavens. The water in Exodus
17:1-7, however, comes from striking a rock, an object not normally known
for retaining water. Why did God intend for Moses to provide waterfor Israel
through a rock? And how does Moses’striking the rock that provides water
correlate with Christ’s being a rock? We must understand that the rock of
waterof Exodus 17:1-7 represents a type of which Jesus is the substance.
John recordedfor us an interactionbetweenJesus and a woman of Samaria in
John 4:4-26 that introduces us to the conceptof “living water.” Jesus sits at a
well and requests waterfrom this woman of Samaria, and when she asks Him
why He would make such a request from a Samaritan, He responds by
indicating that if she knew who He really was, she would ask for and receive

“living water” (John 4:4-10). In the following exchanges it becomes clearthat
Jesus speaksspiritually while the Samaritan woman thinks physically. She
would love to no longerneed to drink waterand carry it home from the well:
but Jesus is not speaking ofphysical water! He indicates that the waterHe
offers becomes a spring that wells up within a man to eternal life (John 4:14).
While the Samaritan womanends up believing in Jesus as the Messiah, it is
not clearwhether she ever understands His meaning.
Jesus laterproclaims a similar message in the Temple, crying out that those
who thirst should come to Him for drink, and from him should flow rivers of
living water in John 7:37-38. From this proclamation we may better
understand what Jesus meant by “living water”. Jesus is the source of eternal
life for all who believe in Him, and the “living water” represents the Word,
the wayof salvation, which Jesus manifestedin the world (John 1:1, 14).
God’s message ofsalvationand eternallife in the Son refreshes the believer
who then has no need for refreshment from another.
The idea of Christ as a rock is presentedin other Scriptures. Jesus represents
the “chiefcornerstone” thatis rejectedby builders but acceptedby God, as
prophesied in Psalm 118:22-23. Jesusalso represents the foundation of the
faith, as Paul establishes in 1 Corinthians 3:11; likewise, the confessionthat
He is the Christ represents the rock upon which Christ builds His church
(Matthew 16:18). We may see that the New Testamentpresents Jesus both as
the source of“living water” and also as a Rock, the foundation of our faith.
We may gainunderstanding of Paul’s meaning in 1 Corinthians 10:4 through
conflating all the imagery describedabove. The New Testamentspeaksof
Jesus as a Rock and as a source ofliving water, and the Old Testamentspeaks
of Israel being sustainedby waterprovided by Godthrough the striking of a
rock. Thanks to Paul’s blending of the two, we may understand Jesus as the
Rock, struck to provide living waterleading to eternal life for those who
believe. Let us ever seek to drink living waterfrom Christ the Lord, observing
His commandments to the glory and honor of God the Father!
Ethan R. Longhenry

1 Corinthians 10:4 - That Rock Was Christ
Does Paul, by his words recordedin 1 Corinthians 10:1-4, saythat Jesus is
Jehovah?
I want you to know, brothers, that our fathers were all under the cloud, and
all passedthrough the sea, and all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and
in the sea, and all ate the same spiritual food, and all drank the same spiritual
drink. For they drank from the spiritual Rock that followedthem, and the
Rock was Christ[anointed]. -- 1 Corinthians 10:1-4.
Moses StrikesRock
1 Corinthians 10:4 is often referred to as proof that Jesus, the Anointed of
Jehovah(Isaiah 61:1; Acts 2:36; 10:38;Hebrews 1:9), was actually Jehovah.
Usually severalscriptures from the Old Testamentare referred to in which
Jehovahis called "Rock,"and then it is claimed that Paul, as recordedin 1
Corinthians 10:4, is saying that Jesus is Jehovah, the One spokenof as
"Rock"in the Old Testament.
Although most translations render the Greek wordfor "anointed" here as
"Christ", with a capital"C", it is possible that Paul was not speaking of Jesus
at all, but was simply speaking of the rock as having been anointed by God.
The context, however, does seemto suggestthat Paul was saying that the rock
was a type, or represented, Jesus.
Of course, the Hebrew word for rock is used in many different ways in the
Old Testament;it does not always refer to Jehovah.
http://studylight.org/lex/heb/view.cgi?number=06697

Excerpts from various commentators:
There was a Jewishtradition that the Rock—i.e., a fragment broken off from
the rock smitten by Moses—followedthe Israelites through their journey, and
St. Paul, for the purpose of illustration, adopts that accountinstead of the
statementin Numbers 20:11. -- Ellicott.
And did all drink the same spiritual — That is, typical; drink — Namely,
typical of Christ and of the living water, the divine influence derived from
him, John 8:37. For they drank of that spiritual — Or mysterious; rock —
The wonderful streams of which followedthem in their severaljourneyings
for many years through the wilderness. -- Benson.
There can be no doubt that by "spiritual drink" here, the apostle refers to the
waterthat was made to gush from the rock that was smitten by Moses.
Exodus 17:6; Numbers 20:11. Why this is called"spiritual" has been a subject
on which there has been much difference of opinion. It cannot be because
there was anything specialin the nature of the water, for it was evidently real
water, suited to allay their thirst. There is no evidence, as many have
supposed, that there was a reference in this to the drink used in the Lord's
Supper. But it must mean that it was bestowedin a miraculous and
supernatural manner; and the word "spiritual" must be used in the sense of
supernatural, or that which is immediately given by God. -- Barnes.
Yes, the spiritual "rock" was Christ, that is, that physical rock that Jehovah
had provided waterfrom by means of his spirit provides a type of Jesus.
There is nothing in this that means that Jesus "was" Jehovah. The food -- the
manna -- and drink -- the water-- provided by Jehovahthrough his holy
spirit is a type of the food and drink provided through Jesus. Jesus himself
tells us this. (John 6:48-58)There is nothing in 1 Corinthians 10:1-4 that
proves that Jesus is Jehovahwho provided the rock, and the manna, and the
drink through the rock.

Let us look at 1 Corinthians 10:4 and its context to see exactlywhat is being
spokenof here.
1 Corinthians 10:1
ou thelw garhumas agnoeinadelphoi hoti
NOT I AM WILLING FOR YOU TO BE IGNORANT, BROTHERS, THAT
3756 230910634771_7005000803754
hoi pateres heemwnpantes hupo teen nepheleen
THE FATHERS OF US ALL (ONES)UNDER THE CLOUD
3588 39621473_839565259_5 3588 3507
eesankaipantes dia tees thalassees
THEY WERE AND ALL (ONES)THROUGH THE SEA
1511_325323956122335882281
dieelthon
THEY WENT THROUGH,
1330
1 Corinthians 10:2
kai pantes eis ton mwuseenebaptisanto en tee
AND ALL (ONES)INTO THE MOSES THEYWERE BAPTIZED IN THE
2532 3956151935883475090717223588
nephelee kai en tee thalassee
CLOUD AND IN THE SEA,
3507 2532172235882281
1 Corinthians 10:3

kai pantes to auto pneumatikon brwma ephagon
AND ALL (ONES)THE VERY SPIRITUAL THING EATEN THEY ATE
2532 395635880846_9415210332068
0846_98
1 Corinthians 10:4
kai pantes to auto pneumatikon epion poma
AND ALL (ONES)THE VERY SPIRITUAL THEY DRANK DRINK,
2532 395635880846_9415240954188
0846_98
epinon garek pneumatikees akolouthousees
THEY WERE DRINKING FOR OUT OF SPIRITUAL FOLLOWING*
4095 1063153741520190
petras hee petra de eenho christos
ROCK MASS, THE ROCK MASS BUT WAS THE CHRIST;
4073 3588407311611511_335885547
1 Corinthians 10:5
all ouk en tois pleiosin autwn eeudokeesenho
BUT NOT IN THE MORE (ONES)OF THEM THOUGHT WELL THE
0235 37561722358841190846_9221063588
theos katestrwtheesangaren tee ereemw
GOD, THEY WERE STREWN DOWN FOR IN THE DESOLATE [PLACE].
2316 26931063172235882048
1 Corinthians 10:6

tauta de tupoi heemwn egeneetheesaneis to
THESE (THINGS) BUT TYPES OF US THEY OCCURRED, INTO THE
3778_93116151791473_8109615193588
mee einai heemas epithumeetas kakwnkathws
NOT TO BE US DESIRERSOF BAD (THINGS), ACCORDING AS
3361 15111473_95193825562531
kakeinoiepethumeesan
ALSO THOSE DESIRED.
2548 1937-- Westcott& Hort Interlinear.
========
*Greek, Strong's #190= Akoloutheo:(1) to follow one who precedes, joinhim
as his attendant, accompanyhim (2) to join one as a disciple, become or be his
disciple; side with his party
http://www.studylight.org/lex/grk/view.cgi?number=190
The accountof the rock referredto is recordedin the Old Testamentin
Exodus 17. It should become apparent that the rock referred to is the one
which Moses struck and from which waterissuedforth. Many wish to turn
what Paul said around to make it appear that Jesus "was" the rock. Actually,
Paul refers to the rock that Moses struck, saying, that "rock was Christ," -- he
did not say that Jesus "was" thatrock. In doing so, he designates the "rock"
that Moses struck as a "type," as he mentions in verse 6, of Jesus.
Nor did Paul say: Christ is [present tense]that rock, as many seemto assume.
What Paul actually said was "that rock was [Greek eenabove, usually
translated in the past tense] Christ," that rock from which the Israelites
drank did physically exist in the past and it was [represented, signified]
Christ, who was to come afterwards as a spiritual rock. Of course, Jesus never

was a literal "rock" -- Paul is speaking figuratively, typically. Paul is here
drawing an illustration of how the "rock" that the Israelites drank from
spiritually represents, prefigures, Jesus.(1 Corinthians 10:6,11)In verse 3
Paul tells us of the spiritual food which the Israelites ate, that is, the manna,
food which was provided by means of God's spirit. (Jesus had earlier referred
to this manna as representing himself. -- John 6:31-58)Then Paul tells of a
spiritual rock -- a miraculous rock provided by Jehovahthrough his spirit --
from which they drank. (Nehemiah9:15; Psalm 78)The rock and its water,
provided spiritually by Jehovah, Paul tells us figuratively foreshadows the
spiritual rock who followedthem, that is, who came later. -- 1 Corinthians
10:3,4.
In other words, Paul is giving examples [Greek transliteration:tupoi, types] in
the history of the nation of Israelthat are a benefit to the Christian, as shown
in verse 6. There is the type, the foreshadow, and that which followedthe type,
that is the reality. The type, or shadow, comes before the reality. The spiritual
rock that followedthe type that precededit was Christ.
It was Moses,who at the beginning of his experience as a servant of Jehovah
was so very meek, so very humble, but who, at the conclusionof his career,
was hindered from entering the promised land as a punishment for spiritual
pride or self-assurance,whenhe should have given Jehovahthe glory. Let us
note the circumstances:Moses, as Jehovah's specialservant, had led Israelout
of Egypt acrossthe RedSea into the wilderness, enroute for Canaan. He
performed, by Jehovah's direction, severalmiracles on the journey. One of
them was the smiting of the rock when the people were famished for water.
God directed him to smite the rock;and from that rock flowedan abundant
stream of waterfor the refreshment of the people.
The people, however, were not appreciative, and showedgreatlack of faith in
God as well as Moses. (Exodus 32)Thus, Paul says:"with most of them, God

was not well pleased, for they were overthrown in the wilderness." -- 1
Corinthians 10:5, World English Bible translation -- WEB.
These things, Paul says, are "types" [tupoi] for us, for the Christian who is
following Christ, that we may not desire what is bad. -- 1 Corinthians 10:6.
Thus, according to the Bible, that rock from which water flowedwas a picture
-- a type -- of Christ. (1 Corinthians 10:4.) It was by Jehovah's arrangement
that this "rock" wassmitten, that the waterof life might flow from Jesus for
all of Adam's race who would become Israelites indeedand come out of Egypt
-- out of the world -- out of sin -- out of the kingdom of the Adversary into
obedience and fellowship with Jehovah.
Forty years after this time of the smiting of the rock, whenIsrael had been
journeying to and fro, waiting for the time to come that they might be
permitted to enter Canaan, their wandering led againinto this district, so
barren and devoid of water. The people cried to Moses andMoses criedto
Jehovahon their behalf as to what should be done. Jehovah's answerwas that
Moses shouldspeak to the rock which previously he had smitten, and that
waterwould come forth. But during these forty years in which Moses had
dealt with the Israelites as a father with his children, he had naturally gained
a greatdeal of self-assurance. He could hardly pass through such experiences
and still be the meekestman in all the earth. So now, neglecting the command
of Jehovah, Moses wentto the rock and smote it a secondtime with his rod,
shouting to the people: "Ye rebels, must we bring you waterout of this rock?"
(Numbers 20:1-12)Mosesappearedto be taking the glory to himself instead of
ascribing it all to Jehovah. SoonMoses realizedthe greatmistake he had
made. While many may consider this a small mistake, yet Jehovahon this
accountdenied him the privilege of going into the land of Canaan, granting
him instead merely the opportunity of seeing it from acrossthe River Jordan,
and burying him there.

There is nothing in any of this to leadus to the conclusionthat this rock was
an angel of Jehovah, as some have claimed. Paul says this rock followedthe
Israelites, whichmany have evidently assumedrefers to the angelof Jehovah
following the Israelites around in the wilderness. In reality there is nothing at
all in the scriptures about an angel of Jehovahfollowing the Israelites. There
is definitely nothing in any of the scriptures that presentJehovahas being
more than one person, or that presents Jesus as being a person of Jehovah.
Some have referred to Exodus 13:21,22 and Exodus 32:34 (Psalm14:19) as
allegedlygiving proof that the rock Paul referred to is Jesus as an angelof
Jehovah.
Exodus 13:21 - Jehovahwent before them by day in a pillar of cloud, to lead
them on their way, and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light, that they
might go by day and by night:
Exodus 13:22 - the pillar of cloud by day, and the pillar of fire by night, didn't
depart from before the people.
Paul does use this in reference to the protectionthat Jehovahwas giving to the
Israelites. (1 Corinthians 10:1) This scripture is in reference to what happened
before the Israelites ate the manna, or drank the waterfrom the rock. Thus,
by confusing this with the "rock", many have been led into believing
something that Paul was not saying.
By comparing this with Exodus 32:34, many would have us assume that the
"angelof Jehovah" is actually Jehovahhimself in Exodus 13:21,22, andthen
we are to further supposedto imagine and assume that Jehovahis more than
one personand to even further assume that "Jehovah" and"the angel of
Jehovah" in these verses are actually Jesus in his prehuman existence, as
being one of the assumedpersons of Jehovah. A lot of assumptions. At this
point, we should also note that Jehovah saidhe had come down to bring his

people out of Eygpt. (Exodus 3:8) Then he tells Mosesto bring his people out
of Egypt. (Exodus 3:10) Both Jehovah(Exodus 6:6; 12:51; 13:3; Deuteronomy
5:15; 26:8; 32:12) and Moses (Exodus 3:10; 15:22; 32:7; 33:1; Acts 7:35,36)
are saidto lead, bring, or deliver (save)God's people out of Egypt. Most
would not even considerthinking that Moses is Jehovahbecause ofthis,
and/or further imagine and assume that Mosesmust be a personof Jehovah,
etc. Mostcan see that Jehovahled the Israelites out of Egypt by means of his
servant, Moses. (Psalm77:20;Hosea 12:13)It should also be evident that
Jehovahdid considerhimself presentwith the Israelites through, by means of,
his angel. There is no reasonto assume that the angel(messenger)of Jehovah
is actually Jehovahof whom he is the angel(messenger), orthat there are two
Jehovahs being spokenof, one allegedlythe father of the other.
However, the scripture does not say that Jehovah"followed" the Israelites as
Paul spoke of the rock that followedthem; the scripture says that Jehovah
"wentbefore them", not following them. (Some claim that the scripture
should read "accompaniedthem", as going alongside of them. The Greek
word, however, means this only in the sense offollowing, as a disciple or
servant accompaniesorattends to his master. Jehovahdoes not accompany
the Israelites as though Israelwas Jehovah's master. The context, however,
shows that Paul is speaking of the things he spoke of as types.)
In Exodus 32:34, Jehovahspeaks to Moses:
Now go, lead the people to the place of which I have spokento you. Behold,
my angelshall go before you. Nevertheless in the day when I punish, I will
punish them for their sin.
Notice, however, that this angel does not follow the Israelites around in
wilderness and into the promised land, but rather this angelwas to "go
before" Israel.

In reality, there is nothing that gives us any reasonto think that when Paul
referred to the "rock" as representing Jesus,orthat he meant that Jesus was
the "angelofJehovah" who went before the Israelites.
https://jesusnotyhwh.blogspot.com/2016/11/rock.html
My First Big, Can’t-Get-Out-Of-It, “Aha” Moment with the Bible
Pete Enns, Ph.D.
Pete Enns, Ph.D.
PeterEnns (Ph.D., Harvard University) is Abram S. Clemens professorof
biblical studies at EasternUniversity in St. Davids, Pennsylvania. He has
written numerous books, including The Bible Tells Me So, The Sin of
Certainty, and How the Bible Actually Works.Tweetsat@peteenns.
Following on an earlier post, here is the issue that made it impossible for me
to shake the feeling that something was wrong with how I was taught to think
about the Bible. The Bible just wasn’t behaving as I had always been told it
most certainly does—needs to—behave.
This happened while in graduate schooland centered on just one verse:
“for they drank from the spiritual rock that accompaniedthem, and that rock
was Christ.” (1 Corinthians 10:4)
You can geta more detailed version in The Bible Tells Me So, but here is the
gist.
Paul is referring to the incident in the Pentateuchwhere the Israelites got
waterfrom a rock while wandering in the desert for 40 years. To equate
Christ with the rock is a typical example of Paul’s Christ-centeredreading of

his scripture (our Old Testament): the savior was presentwith God’s people
then as he is now.
All fine and good, but what threw me was that word “accompanied.”
One day in class, my professorJames Kugelwas lecturing on the creative
ways that SecondTemple Jewishinterpreters handled episodes like “water
from a rock.” The curious detail in the Old Testamentis that the incident
happened twice:once at the beginning of the wilderness period (Exodus 17)
and againtoward the end of the 40-yearperiod (Numbers 20).
This curious fact led some Jewishinterpreters to conclude that the “two”
rocks were actuallyone and the same, hence, one rock accompaniedthe
Israelites on their 40-yearjourney. We see this idea quite clearly in a Jewish
text from the late 2nd century CE called the Tosefta.
And so the well which was with the Israelites in the wilderness was a rock, the
size of a large round vessel, surging and gurgling upward, as from the mouth
of its little flask, rising with them up onto the mountains, and going down with
them into the valleys. Whereverthe Israelites wouldencamp, it made camp
with them, on a high place, opposite the entry of the Tent of Meeting.
There is a certain“ancientlogic” at work here. After all, the Israelites had
manna given to them miraculously every morning along with a nice helping of
quail meat. But what about water? Are we to think that the corresponding
miraculous supply of waterwas only given twice, 40 years apart!? Of course
not. So to “solve” this problem, the watersupply became mobile—a portable
drinking fountain.
Evangelicals couldwrite off this bit of biblical “interpretation” as entertaining
or just plain silly, but 1 Corinthians 10:4 complicates things—Paulrefers to
Jesus not just as “the rock” but “the accompanying rock.”
Paul, a Jewishinterpreter, is showing his familiarity with and acceptanceof
this creative Jewishhandling of the “waterfrom a rock” incident.
Let me put a finer point on that: the Old Testamentsays nothing about a
portable supply of waterfrom a rock, but Paul does. Paulsays something

about the Old Testamentthat the Old Testamentdoesn’tsay. He wasn’t
following the evangelicalrule of “grammatical-historical” contextual
interpretation. He was doing something else—something odd (for us),
something ancientand Jewish.
Once I saw this, I knew the Bible was no longer protectedunder glass. Itwas
out there, part of an ancient world I really didn’t understand—and was never
really prepared to handle.
For Paul—aninspired apostle—to acceptsuch a strange legendand treat it as
fact is not something that can be easilybrought into an evangelical
framework. “But Paul is inspired by God! He would never saysomething like
this!!”
But he did.
And it struck me that Paul probably couldn’t get a job teaching at the
seminary that taught me about Paul.
This aha moment didn’t happen in isolation. It came in the context of years of
pretty intense and in-depth doctoralwork where my main area of focus was
SecondTemple biblical interpretation. But here, at this moment, the light
turned on, some tumblers clunked heavily into place, and I was seeing a
biggerpicture, not just about this one verse but about the Bible as a whole.
I was seeing right before my eyes that Paul and the other New Testament
writers were part of this ancientworld of Jewishtraditions of biblical
interpretation. And what seems so odd to us was right at home in Paul’s 1st
century world.
Evangelicalattempts to make Paul sound more evangelicaland less Jewish—
to make him into a “sound” interpreter of scripture—immediately rang
hollow, and continue to.
And I knew back then, as I do now, that the model of biblical interpretation I
had been taught was not going to cut it if I was going to try to explain how my
Bible works rather than defend a Bible that doesn’t exist. I couldn’t deny
what I was seeing. I knew I had some thinking to do.

That happened nearly 30 years ago, and the memory is still vivid. And it’s fair
to say this aha moment, along with others before and since, have shapedmy
life’s work of trying to understand the Bible rather than defend it. And that is,
to me, much more interesting, meaningful, and spiritually enriching.
Christ The Rock
MostRelevantVerses
Psalm118:22
Verse Concepts
The stone which the builders rejectedHas become the chief corner stone.
Matthew 21:42
Verse Concepts
Jesus saidto them, "Did you never read in the Scriptures, 'THE STONE
WHICH THE BUILDERS REJECTED, THIS BECAME THE CHIEF
CORNER stone;THIS CAME ABOUT FROM THE LORD, AND IT IS
MARVELOUS IN OUR EYES'?
Mark 12:10
Verse Concepts
"Have you not even read this Scripture: 'THE STONE WHICH THE
BUILDERS REJECTED,THIS BECAME THE CHIEF CORNER stone;

Luke 20:17
Verse Concepts
But Jesus lookedat them and said, "What then is this that is written: 'THE
STONE WHICH THE BUILDERS REJECTED, THIS BECAME THE
CHIEF CORNER stone'?
1 Peter2:7
Verse Concepts
This precious value, then, is for you who believe; but for those who disbelieve,
"THE STONE WHICH THE BUILDERS REJECTED,THIS BECAME THE
VERY CORNER stone,"
Acts 4:11
Verse Concepts
"He is the STONE WHICH WAS REJECTED by you, THE BUILDERS, but
WHICH BECAME THE CHIEF CORNER stone.
Isaiah8:14
Verse Concepts
"Then He shall become a sanctuary; But to both the houses of Israel, a stone
to strike and a rock to stumble over, And a snare and a trap for the
inhabitants of Jerusalem.
Romans 9:33
Verse Concepts
just as it is written, "BEHOLD, I LAY IN ZION A STONE OF STUMBLING
AND A ROCK OF OFFENSE,AND HE WHO BELIEVES IN HIM WILL
NOT BE DISAPPOINTED."

1 Peter2:8
Verse Concepts
and, "A STONE OF STUMBLING AND A ROCKOF OFFENSE";for they
stumble because they are disobedient to the word, and to this doom they were
also appointed.
Matthew 21:44
Verse Concepts
"And he who falls on this stone will be broken to pieces;but on whomever it
falls, it will scatterhim like dust."
Isaiah28:16
Verse Concepts
Therefore thus says the Lord GOD, "Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone, a
testedstone, A costly cornerstone forthe foundation, firmly placed. He who
believes in it will not be disturbed.
1 Peter2:6
Verse Concepts
For this is containedin Scripture: "BEHOLD, I LAY IN ZION A CHOICE
STONE, A PRECIOUS CORNER stone, AND HE WHO BELIEVES IN HIM
WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED."
Daniel 2:34
Verse Concepts
"You continued looking until a stone was cut out without hands, and it struck
the statue on its feetof iron and clay and crushed them.
Daniel 2:45
Verse Concepts

"Inasmuch as you saw that a stone was cut out of the mountain without hands
and that it crushed the iron, the bronze, the clay, the silver and the gold, the
greatGod has made known to the king what will take place in the future; so
the dream is true and its interpretation is trustworthy."
Daniel 2:35
Verse Concepts
"Then the iron, the clay, the bronze, the silver and the gold were crushed all
at the same time and became like chaff from the summer threshing floors; and
the wind carriedthem awayso that not a trace of them was found But the
stone that struck the statue became a greatmountain and filled the whole
earth.
https://bible.knowing-jesus.com/topics/Christ-The-Rock
Messagefor THE LORD'S DAY MORNING, August 18, 2013 ChristianHope
Church of Christ, Plymouth, North Carolina Christian Hope Church of
Christ, Plymouth, North Carolina Christian Hope Church of Christ,
Plymouth, North Carolina Christian Hope Church of Christ, Plymouth, North
Carolina by Reggie A. Braziel, Minister by Reggie A. Braziel, Minister by
Reggie A. Braziel, Minister by Reggie A. Braziel, Minister
JESUS IS THE JESUS IS THE JESUS IS THE JESUS IS THE
rock of ages rock ofages rock ofages rock ofages
I Corinthians 10:1-4 (NKJV) I Corinthians
10:1-4 (NKJV) I Corinthians 10:1-4 (NKJV)
I Corinthians 10:1-4 (NKJV)
Please turn with me to tonight's scripture text in First Corinthians, the tenth
First Corinthians, the tenth First Corinthians, the tenth First Corinthians, the

tenth chapter, and let's read verses 1-4. chapter, and let's read verses 1-4.
chapter, and let's read verses 1-4. chapter, and let's read verses 1-4.
1 Corinthians 10:1-4 (NKJV) 1 Corinthians 10:1-4 (NKJV) 1 Corinthians
10:1-4 (NKJV) 1 Corinthians 10:1-4 (NKJV)
1 11 1 Moreover, brethren, I do not want you to be unaware that all our
fathers were under Moreover, brethren, I do not want you to be unaware that
all our fathers were under Moreover, brethren, I do not want you to be
unaware that all our fathers were under Moreover, brethren, I do not want
you to be unaware that all our fathers were under the cloud, all passed
through the sea, the cloud, all passedthrough the sea, the cloud, all passed
through the sea, the cloud, all passedthrough the sea,
2 22 2 all were baptized into Moses inthe cloud and in the sea, allwere
baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea, all were baptized into Moses
in the cloud and in the sea, allwere baptized into Moses in the cloud and in
the sea,
3 33 3 all ate the same spiritual food, all ate the same spiritual food, all ate
the same spiritual food, all ate the same spiritual food,
4 44 4 and all drank the same spiritual drink. Forthey drank of that
spiritual Rock that and all drank the same spiritual drink. Forthey drank of
that spiritual Rock that and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they
drank of that spiritual Rock that and all drank the same spiritual drink. For
they drank of that spiritual Rock that followedthem, and that Rock was
Christ. followedthem, and that Rock was Christ. followedthem, and that
Rock was Christ. followedthem, and that Rock was Christ.
P R A Y E R P R A Y E R P R A Y E R P R A Y E R
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Introduction Introduction Introduction Introduction
ILLUSTRATION ILLUSTRATION ILLUSTRATION ILLUSTRATION
Rob Cutshaw Rob Cutshaw Rob Cutshaw Rob Cutshaw of Andrews, North
Carolina is known by the locals as “a rock hound.” “a rock hound.” “a rock
hound.” “a rock hound.” Cutshaw hunts for rocks, thensells them to
collectors orjewelers forcash. Although he doesn't claim to be an “expert on
rocks,” Cutshaw admits he has a pretty keeneye for knowing which rocks will
sell and which one's won't.
That wasn't always the case. Backin the 1960's Cutshaw found a rock he
describedas “purdy and big” “purdy and big” “purdy and big” “purdy and
big” that he thought might be worth something, but no one would buy it from
him.
Cutshaw said he put the rock in his closetand forgot about for over twenty
years. One day while going through some things in that closethe came across
the long forgotten rock. Needing some cashto pay his bills, Cutshaw decided
to try to sell the rock one more time. He admits he was willing to take a few
lousy dollars just to getrid of it.
Imagine Cutshaw's surprise when he learned that “the purdy big blue rock”
“the purdy big blue rock” “the purdy big blue rock” “the purdy big blue
rock” he had stored in a closetfor two decades turned out to be the world's
largestsapphire, now known as the “The Star of David.” “The Starof
David.” “The Star of David.” “The Starof David.” It is worth two and three
quarter million dollars. two and three quarter million dollars. two and three
quarter million dollars. two and three quarter million dollars.
***********************
ROCKS ROCKS ROCKS ROCKS are often an over-lookedpart of nature
unless you happen to hit one when you are hoeing your gardenor one hits

your windshield while you're driving down the road or you get a little rock in
your shoe.
Maybe at some time or another you have used a rock to hammer
down a tent peg on a camping trip .................orskippeda rock across a
pond...........ormaybe you've picked up a rock to scare offa strange dog
that wanderedinto your yard.
How many of you remember the “PetRock” craze years ago? OK, how How
many of you remember the “PetRock” craze years ago? OK, how How many
of you remember the “PetRock” craze years ago? OK, how How many of
you remember the “PetRock” craze years ago? OK, how many of you are
brave enough to admit you actually owned “a pet rock?” many of you are
brave enough to admit you actually owned “a pet rock?”
Plymouth Rock........TheRock ofGibraltar.......the BlarneyStone.......
Plymouth Rock........TheRock ofGibraltar.......the BlarneyStone....... The
Rosetta Stone.........The Rosetta Stone.........The Rosetta Stone.........The
Rosetta Stone.........theseare just a few of the greatestrocks in the these are
just a few of the greatestrocks in the these are just a few of the greatestrocks
in the these are just a few of the greatestrocksin the world. world. world.
world.
But for a few minutes this evening I would like for us to think about “the
greatestBut for a few minutes this evening I would like for us to think about
“the greatestBut for a few minutes this evening I would like for us to think
about “the greatestBut for a few minutes this evening I would like for us to
think about “the greatestrock of all” and that is rock of all” and that is rock
of all” and that is rock of all” and that is JESUS CHRIST: THE ROCKOF
AGES. JESUS CHRIST:THE ROCKOF AGES. JESUS CHRIST:THE
ROCK OF AGES. JESUS CHRIST: THE ROCK OF AGES.

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Brief Exposition of I Corinthians 10:1-4 Brief Exposition of I Corinthians
10:1-4 Brief Expositionof I Corinthians 10:1-4 Brief Exposition of I
Corinthians 10:1-4
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In our scripture text, the apostle Paul is continuing with the thoughts he
beganIn our scripture text, the apostle Paulis continuing with the thoughts
he began In our scripture text, the apostle Paul is continuing with the
thoughts he beganIn our scripture text, the apostle Paul is continuing with
the thoughts he began back in chapter nine, verses 24-27, about“striving for a
Crown.” And in this back in chapternine, verses 24-27, about“striving for a
Crown.” And in this sectionhe compares our journey as Christians as being
similar to the journey sectionhe compares our journey as Christians as being
similar to the journey the children of Israel took through the wilderness on
their way to the Promisedthe children of Israeltook through the wilderness
on their way to the Promisedthe children of Israel took through the
wilderness on their way to the Promisedthe children of Israeltook through
the wilderness on their way to the Promised Land. Land. Land. Land.
In these first four verses of chapter 10, we see four blessings the Israelites In
these first four verses of chapter10, we see four blessings the Israelites In
these first four verses of chapter10, we see four blessings the Israelites In
these first four verses of chapter10, we see four blessings the Israelites
receivedon their journey that foreshadowedthe blessings we now enjoy on

our own journey. our own journey. our own journey. our own journey.
(A) First, was the blessing of (A) First, was the blessing of (A) First, was the
blessing of (A) First, was the blessing of SALVATION SALVATION
SALVATION SALVATION. .. .
v. 1 “all our fathers were under the cloud.” v. 1 “all our
fathers were under the cloud.” v. 1 “all our fathers were under the cloud.” v.
1 “all our fathers were under the cloud.”
The “cloud” is symbolic of God's salvation. The
“cloud” is symbolic of God's salvation. The “cloud” is symbolic of God's
salvation. The “cloud” is symbolic of God's salvation.
*The Israelites were savedfrom out of the land of Egypt. *The
Israelites were savedfrom out of the land of Egypt. *The Israelites were saved
from out of the land of Egypt. *The Israelites were savedfrom out of the land
of Egypt.
*We have been savedfrom out of the world.
*We have been savedfrom out of the world. *We have been
savedfrom out of the world. *We have been savedfrom out of
the world.
(B) Second, was the blessing of (B) Second, was the blessing of (B) Second,
was the blessing of (B) Second, was the blessing of BAPTISM BAPTISM
BAPTISM BAPTISM. .. .
v.1, 2a “all passedthrough the sea.” “allwere baptized into Moses v.1, 2a
“all passedthrough the sea.” “allwere baptized into Moses v.1, 2a “all
passedthrough the sea.” “allwere baptized into Moses v.1, 2a “all passed
through the sea.” “allwere baptized into Moses
in the cloud and in the sea.” in
the cloud and in the sea.” in the cloud and in the sea.”
in the cloud and in the sea.”

Baptism essentiallyidentifies us as God's people. Baptism essentially
identifies us as God's people. Baptism essentiallyidentifies us as God's
people. Baptism essentiallyidentifies us as God's people.
*Forthe Israelites, “being baptized” meant passing through the Red
*Forthe Israelites, “being baptized” meant passing through the Red *For
the Israelites, “being baptized” meant passing through the Red *Forthe
Israelites, “being baptized” meant passing through the Red
Sea, which identified them as followers ofMoses. Sea, which
identified them as followers ofMoses. Sea, which identified
them as followers of Moses. Sea, which identified them as
followers of Moses.
*Forus, “being baptized” means being immersed to be
identified as *Forus, “being baptized” means being immersed
to be identified as *Forus, “being baptized” means being
immersed to be identified as *Forus, “being baptized” means
being immersed to be identified as followers of Jesus Christ.
(Galatians 3:27 followers of Jesus Christ. (Galatians 3:27
followers of Jesus Christ. (Galatians 3:27 followers ofJesus
Christ. (Galatians 3:27 “Foras many of you as has been
baptized into Ch rist, have put on Christ.” )
(C) Third, was the blessing of the (C) Third, was the blessing of the (C)
Third, was the blessing of the (C) Third, was the blessing of the LORD'S
LORD'S LORD'S LORD'S SUPPER SUPPER SUPPER SUPPER... .
vs. 3, 4a “all ate the same spiritual food, and all drank the same spiritual vs.
3, 4a “all ate the same spiritual food, and all drank the same spiritual vs. 3,
4a “allate the same spiritual food, and all drank the same spiritual vs. 3, 4a
“all ate the same spiritual food, and all drank the same spiritual
drink.” drink.”
drink.” drink.”
* For the Israelites, the “spiritual food” was the manna from heaven. And *
For the Israelites, the “spiritual food” was the manna from heaven. And * For

the Israelites, the “spiritual food” was the manna from heaven. And * For the
Israelites, the “spiritual food” was the manna from heaven. And
the “spiritual drink” was the watermiraculously provided from the rock.
(Exodus 16- “manna;” Exodus 17- “waterfrom the rock.”)
* For us, the “spiritual food” is the bread which is symbolic of Christ's body, *
For us, the “spiritual food” is the bread which is symbolic of Christ's body, *
For us, the “spiritual food” is the bread which is symbolic of Christ's body, *
For us, the “spiritual food” is the bread which is symbolic of Christ's body,
and the “spiritual drink” is the fruit of the vine which is symbolic of Christ's
blood.” (I Corinthians 11:23-26) blood.” (I Corinthians 11:23-
26) blood.” (I Corinthians 11:23-26) blood.” (I
Corinthians 11:23-26)
Now this next blessing that we share with the ancientIsraelites is most Now
this next blessing that we share with the ancientIsraelites is most Now this
next blessing that we share with the ancient Israelites is most Now this next
blessing that we share with the ancient Israelites is most interesting.
interesting. interesting. interesting.
(D) Fourth, was the blessing of the (D) Fourth, was the blessing of the (D)
Fourth, was the blessing of the (D) Fourth, was the blessing of the ABIDING
PRESENCE OF ABIDING PRESENCEOF ABIDING PRESENCE OF
ABIDING PRESENCEOF THE THE THE
THE ROCK ROCK ROCKROCK OF OF OF OF AGES AGES AGES
AGES. .. .

v. 4b For they drank of that spiritual Rock that followedthem, and
that v. 4b For they drank of that spiritual Rock that followedthem, and
that
Rock was Christ. Rock was Christ.
Rock was Christ. Rock was Christ.
What an amazing
revelation! Christ, “the rock of ages”was spiritually present What an
amazing revelation! Christ, “the rock of ages”was spiritually present What
an amazing revelation! Christ, “the rock of ages” was spiritually present
What an amazing revelation! Christ, “the rock of ages” was spiritually
present with Moses andthe children of Israel in the wilderness.
with Moses andthe children of Israelin the wilderness. with
Moses andthe children of Israelin the wilderness. with Moses
and the children of Israelin the wilderness.
*Christ provided the *Christ provided the *Christ provided the *Christ
provided the LIVING LIVING LIVING LIVING WATER WATER
WATER WATER for the Israelites as they traveled for the Israelites as they
traveled for the Israelites as they traveled for the Israelites as they traveled
through the wilderness on their way to the Promised Land. And Christ
is our is our is our is our LIVING
LIVING LIVING LIVING WATER WATER WATER WATER as we
travel through the wilderness of this world as we travel through the
wilderness of this world as we travel through the wilderness of this world as
we travel through the wilderness of this world on our way to our
“PromisedLand,” our heavenly home. on our way to our
“PromisedLand,” our heavenly home.

I would like to continue along this same line of thinking Paul has introduced
in I would like to continue along this same line of thinking Paul has
introduced in I would like to continue along this same line of thinking Paul
has introduced in I would like to continue along this same line of thinking
Paul has introduced in these verses, and have you consider three ways in
which these verses, andhave you considerthree ways in which these verses,
and have you considerthree ways in which these verses, and have you
considerthree ways in which JESUS IS OUR “ROCKJESUS IS OUR
“ROCKJESUS IS OUR “ROCKJESUS IS OUR “ROCKOF AGES.” OF
AGES.” OF AGES.” OF AGES.”
I. II.. I. Jesus Is The Jesus Is The Jesus Is The Jesus Is The ROCKROCK
ROCK ROCKof Our of Our of Our of Our SALVATION SALVATION
SALVATION SALVATION
1. Listen to these beautiful passagesthatdescribe Christ as “the rock 1.
Listen to these beautiful passages thatdescribe Christ as “the rock 1. Listen
to these beautiful passagesthat describe Christ as “the rock 1. Listen to these
beautiful passages thatdescribe Christ as “the rock of our salvation.”
of our salvation.” of our salvation.” of our salvation.”
PSALM 18:2 says, “The LORD is my Rock and my fortress and my PSALM
18:2 says, “The LORD is my Rock and my fortress and my PSALM 18:2 says,
“The LORD is my Rock and my fortress and my PSALM 18:2 says, “The
LORD is my Rock and my fortress and my
deliverer; My God, my strength, in whom I will
trust; my Shield and the horn of my salvation,
my stronghold.” my stronghold.”
my stronghold.” my stronghold.”

PSALM 62:1,2 says, “Truly my soul silently waits for God; from
Him comes PSALM 62:1,2 says, “Truly my soul silently waits for
God; from Him comes PSALM 62:1,2 says, “Truly my soul
silently waits for God; from Him comes PSALM 62:1,2 says,
“Truly my soul silently waits for God; from Him comes
my salvation. He alone is my ROCKand my
SALVATION; He is my defense;I shall not be
greatly moved. greatly moved.
greatly moved. greatly moved.
PSALM 95:1 says “Oh come, let us sing to the LORD! Let us shout
joyfully to the ROCKof our SALVATION.”
2. 2. 2. 2. There are two Hebrew words for “rock” in the Old Testament.
-One is the word, TSUR TSUR TSUR TSUR which speaks ofa rock that can
range in size from a pebble a pebble a pebble a pebble to
a boulder. a boulder. a boulder. a boulder.
-The other word is SELA SELA SELA SELA which describes a much larger
rock like a mountain. a mountain. a mountain. a
mountain.
3. 3. 3. 3. When the scriptures refer to the LORD as “the rock of our
salvation” “the rock of our salvation” “the rock of our salvation” “the rock of

our salvation” the word “sela” “sela”
“sela” “sela”is used. Jesus is the the the the MOUNTAIN MOUNTAIN
MOUNTAIN MOUNTAIN of our salvation!of our salvation! of our salvation!
of our salvation!
4. 4. 4. 4. Mostall of us has stoodon a mountain. A mountain is
immoveable! You can put all your wait on it! You can jump up and
down on it! And you're NOT going to move it!
5. 5. 5. 5. Jesus is the immoveable rock of our salvation! the
immoveable rock of our salvation! the immoveable rock of our salvation!
the immoveable rock of our salvation! When we put all our weight
on Jesus, whenwe lean upon Him for our salvation, we will NOT be
moved!
6. 6. 6. 6. Think of the billions of people in this world who are
trusting in someone or something other than JESUS CHRIST JESUS
CHRIST JESUS CHRIST JESUS CHRIST for their salvation.
*BUDDHA is not the “rock of salvation.” BUDDHA is not the “rock of
salvation.” BUDDHA is not the “rock of salvation.” BUDDHA is not the “rock
of salvation.” *CONFUCIUS is not the “rock ofsalvation.”
*CONFUCIUS is not the “rock of salvation.” *CONFUCIUS
is not the “rock of salvation.” *CONFUCIUS is not the “rock
of salvation.” *THE POPE is not the “rock ofsalvation.”
*THE POPE is not the “rock of salvation.” *THE POPE is not
the “rock ofsalvation.” *THE POPE is not the “rock of
salvation.” *MONEYis not the “rock of salvation.”
*MONEYis not the “rock ofsalvation.” *MONEYis not the
“rock of salvation.” *MONEYis not the “rock ofsalvation.”
*POWER is not the “rock ofsalvation.” *POWER is not the “rock of
salvation.” *POWERis not the “rock of salvation.” *POWER is not the “rock
of salvation.” *GOOD WORKS is not “the rock of salvation.”
*GOOD WORKS is not “the rock of salvation.” *GOOD
WORKS is not “the rock of salvation.” *GOOD WORKS is
not “the rock of salvation.” *GOOD MORALS is not “the

rock of salvation.” *GOOD MORALS is not “the rock of
salvation.” *GOOD MORALS is not “the rock of salvation.”
*GOOD MORALS is not “the rock of salvation.”
7. 7. 7. 7. Only those who put all their faith and all their trust in JESUS
JESUS JESUS JESUS CHRIST, THE ROCKOF SALVATION
CHRIST, THE ROCK OF SALVATION CHRIST, THE ROCKOF
SALVATION CHRIST, THE ROCK OF SALVATION will be
saved!
But not only is But not only is But not only is But not only is JESUS THE
ROCK OF OUR SALVATION.......... JESUS THE ROCKOF OUR
SALVATION.......... JESUSTHE ROCK OF OUR SALVATION..........JESUS
THE ROCK OF OUR SALVATION..........
II. IIII.. II. Jesus Is The Jesus Is The Jesus Is The Jesus Is The ROCKROCK
ROCK ROCKof Our of Our of Our of Our STRENGTHSTRENGTH
STRENGTHSTRENGTH
PSALM 62:7,8 PSALM 62:7,8 PSALM 62:7,8 PSALM 62:7,8 says, “In God is
my salvationand my glory; says, “In God is my salvation and my glory; says,
“In God is my salvation and my glory; says, “In God is my salvationand my
glory; the ROCK of my the ROCK of my the ROCK of my the ROCK of my
STRENGTH, STRENGTH,
STRENGTH, STRENGTH, andmy refuge is in
God. Trust in Him at all and my refuge is in God. Trust in Him at all and
my refuge is in God. Trust in Him at all and my refuge is in God. Trust in
Him at all times, you people; pour out your heart
before Him; times, you people; pour out your heart
before Him; GOD is a REFUGE for us.”
GOD is a REFUGE for us.” GOD is a REFUGE
for us.” GOD is a REFUGE for us.”
PSALM 84:5a PSALM 84:5a PSALM 84:5a PSALM 84:5a says, “Blessedis
the man says, “Blessedis the man says, “Blessedis the man says, “Blessedis

the man whose strengthis in YOU. whose strength is in YOU. whose strength
is in YOU. whose strength is in YOU.” ”” ”
ISAIAH 40:31 ISAIAH 40:31 ISAIAH 40:31
ISAIAH 40:31 says, “But those who wait upon the LORD shall says, “But
those who wait upon the LORD shall says, “But those who wait upon the
LORD shall says, “Butthose who wait upon the LORD shall RENEW THEIR
RENEW THEIR RENEW THEIR RENEW THEIR
STRENGTH; STRENGTH;
STRENGTH; STRENGTH;they shall mount
up with wings like eagles, theyshall mount up with wings like eagles, they
shall mount up with wings like eagles,they shall mount up with wings like
eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall
walk and they shall run and not be weary, they
shall walk and they shall run and not be weary,
they shall walk and they shall run and not be
weary, they shall walk and not faint.”
not faint.” not faint.”
not faint.”
PHILIPPIANS 4:13 PHILIPPIANS 4:13 PHILIPPIANS 4:13 PHILIPPIANS
4:13 says, “I cando all things through says, “Ican do all things through says,
“I can do all things through says, “I can do all things through CHRIST WHO
STRENGTHENSCHRIST WHO STRENGTHENS CHRIST WHO
STRENGTHENSCHRIST WHO STRENGTHENS
ME.” ME.”
ME.” ME.”
ILLUSTRATION ILLUSTRATION ILLUSTRATION ILLUSTRATION
A preacherin Iowa was preaching a sermon on that text I just read from
Philippians 4:13, A preacherin Iowa was preaching a sermon on that text
I just read from Philippians 4:13, A preacherin Iowa was preaching a
sermon on that text I just read from Philippians 4:13, A preacherin Iowa
was preaching a sermon on that text I just read from Philippians 4:13, “I
can do all things through CHRIST who strengthens me .”

To illustrate the meaning of that verse, he had severalchildren come down
front. One by one To illustrate the meaning of that verse, he had several
children come down front. One by one To illustrate the meaning of that verse,
he had severalchildren come down front. One by one To illustrate the
meaning of that verse, he had severalchildren come down front. One by one
he had eachof the children try to jump across the aisle from the front pew to
the pew he had eachof the children try to jump across the aisle from the front
pew to the pew he had eachof the children try to jump across the aisle from
the front pew to the pew he had eachof the children try to jump across the
aisle from the front pew to the pew on the other side of the aisle. Theycould
jump one, two or even three feet, but none of them on the other side of the
aisle. Theycould jump one, two or even three feet, but none of them on the
other side of the aisle. Theycould jump one, two or even three feet, but none
of them on the other side of the aisle. They could jump one, two or even three
feet, but none of them was able to jump all the way across the aisle. was able
to jump all the way across the aisle. was able to jump all the way across the
aisle. was able to jump all the wayacross the aisle.
When it got down to the last little girl, the preachertold her to count to three
and jump. When it got down to the lastlittle girl, the preacher told her to
count to three and jump. When it gotdown to the last little girl, the preacher
told her to count to three and jump. When it got down to the last little girl, the
preachertold her to count to three and jump. On the count of three, the
preacherput his hands under the little girl's armpits and as she On the count
of three, the preacherput his hands under the little girl's armpits and as she
On the count of three, the preacherput his hands under the little girl's
armpits and as she On the count of three, the preacherput his hands under
the little girl's armpits and as she jumped, he lifted her up and carried her all
the wayacross the aisle to the other pew. jumped, he lifted her up and carried
her all the wayacross the aisle to the other pew. jumped, he lifted her up and
carried her all the way across the aisle to the other pew. jumped, he lifted her
up and carried her all the wayacross the aisle to the other pew.
The preachersaid, “See, she did it!” The other children said, “No she didn't,
you carriedThe preachersaid, “See, she did it!” The other children said,
“No she didn't, you carried The preachersaid, “See, she did it!” The other

children said, “No she didn't, you carried The preacher said, “See, she did it!”
The other children said, “No she didn't, you carried her.” her.” her.” her.”
The preacherwent on to explain that that is how CHRIST STRENGTHENS
US. The preacherwent on to explain that that is how CHRIST
STRENGTHENSUS. The preacherwent on to explain that that is how
CHRIST STRENGTHENSUS. The preacherwent on to explain that that is
how CHRIST STRENGTHENSUS.
-We can't jump out of our SINS, but CHRIST can LIFT us out of our sins. -
We can't jump out of our SINS, but CHRIST can LIFT us out of our sins. -
We can't jump out of our SINS, but CHRIST can LIFT us out of our sins. -
We can't jump out of our SINS, but CHRIST can LIFT us out of our sins.
-We can't jump into HEAVEN, but CHRIST can LIFT us into heaven. -
We can't jump into HEAVEN, but CHRIST can LIFT us into heaven. -
We can't jump into HEAVEN, but CHRIST can LIFT us into heaven. -
We can't jump into HEAVEN, but CHRIST can LIFT us into heaven.
1. 1. 1. 1. In this world there are two kinds of “strength” one can rely upon:
One can rely upon his own HUMAN HUMAN HUMAN HUMAN strength
or one can rely upon the STRENGTHSTRENGTHSTRENGTH
STRENGTHof the of the of the of the LORD, LORD, LORD, LORD, the
“Rock ofAges.” the “Rock ofAges.” the “Rock ofAges.” the “Rock of
Ages.”
2. The Bible commands us to live victoriously over sin. How can we 2. The
Bible commands us to live victoriously over sin. How can we 2. The Bible
commands us to live victoriously over sin. How can we 2. The Bible
commands us to live victoriously over sin. How can we do that apart from
Christ, do that apart from Christ, do that apart from Christ, do
that apart from Christ, “The Rock of Our Strength?” “The Rock ofOur
Strength?” “The Rock ofOur Strength?” “The Rock of Our Strength?”
The Bible commands us to to be “the saltof the earth” and “the light
The Bible commands us to to be “the saltof the earth” and “the light The
Bible commands us to to be “the salt of the earth” and “the light The Bible
commands us to to be “the saltof the earth” and “the light of the world.”

How can we do that apart from Christ, of the world.” How can we do
that apart from Christ, of the world.” How can we do that apart from
Christ, of the world.” How canwe do that apart from Christ, “The Rock
of “The Rock of “The Rock of“The Rock of our strength?” our
strength?” our strength?” our strength?”
The Bible commands us to love our brothers and to even love our The
Bible commands us to love our brothers and to even love our The Bible
commands us to love our brothers and to even love our The Bible
commands us to love our brothers and to even love our enemies. How can
we do that apart from Christ, enemies. How can we do that apart from
Christ, enemies. How can we do that apart from Christ, enemies.
How can we do that apart from Christ, “The Rock ofOur “The Rock of Our
“The Rock of Our “The Rock ofOur Strength?” Strength?”
Strength?” Strength?”
The Bible commands us to overcome the world. How can we do The
Bible commands us to overcome the world. How can we do The Bible
commands us to overcome the world. How can we do The Bible commands
us to overcome the world. How can we do that apart from Christ, that
apart from Christ, that apart from Christ, that apart from Christ,
“The Rock of Our Strength?” “The Rock of Our Strength?” “The Rock of
Our Strength?” “The Rock ofOur Strength?”
The Bible commands us to “be faithful unto death.” How canwe do
The Bible commands us to “be faithful unto death.” How canwe do The
Bible commands us to “be faithful unto death.” How can we do The Bible
commands us to “be faithful unto death.” How can we do that apart from
Christ, that apart from Christ, that apart from Christ, that apart
from Christ, “The Rock of Our Strength?” “The Rock ofOur Strength?”
“The Rock of Our Strength?” “The Rock of Our Strength?”
3. 33.. 3. All of nature depends upon hidden resources. The greattrees send
All of nature depends upon hidden resources. The greattrees send All of
nature depends upon hidden resources. The greattrees send All of nature
depends upon hidden resources. The greattrees send their roots deep

into the ground to draw up waterand minerals. The their roots deep
into the ground to draw up waterand minerals. The mighty rivers get
their strength from the snow-cappedmountains. mighty rivers gettheir
strength from the snow-cappedmountains. mighty rivers gettheir
strength from the snow-cappedmountains. mighty rivers gettheir
strength from the snow-cappedmountains.
4. Likewise, as Christians, our strength comes from a hidden resource. 4.
Likewise, as Christians, our strength comes from a hidden resource. 4.
Likewise, as Christians, our strength comes from a hidden resource. 4.
Likewise, as Christians, our strength comes from a hidden resource. We
get our strength from We getour strength from We get our
strength from We get our strength from JESUS CHRIST, “THE ROCK
OF OUR JESUS CHRIST, “THE ROCK OF OUR JESUS CHRIST, “THE
ROCK OF OUR JESUS CHRIST, “THE ROCKOF OUR
STRENGTH.” STRENGTH.” STRENGTH.” STRENGTH.”
JESUS IS THE ROCK OF OUR SALVATION. JESUS IS THE ROCK OF
OUR SALVATION. JESUS IS THE ROCKOF OUR SALVATION. JESUS
IS THE ROCK OF OUR SALVATION.
JESUS IS THE ROCK OF OUR STRENGTH. JESUS IS THE ROCK OF
OUR STRENGTH. JESUS IS THE ROCK OF OUR STRENGTH. JESUS IS
THE ROCK OF OUR STRENGTH.
And thirdly........... And thirdly........... And thirdly........... And thirdly...........
III. IIIIII.. III. Jesus Is The Jesus Is The Jesus Is The Jesus Is The ROCK
ROCK ROCKROCK of Our of Our of Our of Our SECURITY
SECURITYSECURITYSECURITY
Turn with me to those familiar parable of Jesus in Turn with me to those
familiar parable of Jesus in Turn with me to those familiar parable of Jesus in

Turn with me to those familiar parable of Jesus in MATTHEW 7:24, 25.
MATTHEW 7:24, 25. MATTHEW 7:24, 25. MATTHEW 7:24, 25.
Matthew 7:24,25 (NKJV)
24 2244 24 “Therefore whoeverhears these sayings ofMine, and does them,
I will liken him to “Therefore whoeverhears these sayings ofMine, and does
them, I will liken him to “Therefore whoeverhears these sayings ofMine, and
does them, I will liken him to “Therefore whoeverhears these sayings ofMine,
and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the
rock: a wise man who built his house on the rock: a wise man who
built his house on the rock: a wise man who built his house on the rock:
25 2255 25 and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and
beat on that and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and
beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock.
house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock. house; and it did
not fall, for it was founded on the rock. house; and it did not fall, for it was
founded on the rock.
1. 11.. 1. Jesus is teaching us that the person who hears the teachings of
Christ, and practices whathe hears, is like “the wise man who built “the wise
man who built “the wise man who built “the wise man who built his
house upon the ROCK of SECURITY.” his house upon the ROCK of
SECURITY.” his house upon the ROCK of SECURITY.” his
house upon the ROCK of SECURITY.”
-He is not content to just HEAR about repentance. He actually repents! -He is
not contentto just HEAR about repentance. He actually repents! -He is not
content to just HEAR about repentance. He actually repents! -He is not
content to just HEAR about repentance. He actually repents!
-He is not content to just HEAR about obedience. He actually
obeys! -He is not content to just HEAR about obedience. He
actually obeys! -He is not content to just HEAR about obedience.

He actually obeys! -He is not content to just HEAR about
obedience. He actually obeys! -He is not content to just HEAR
about holy living, He actually lives a holy life! -He is not content
to just HEAR about holy living, He actually lives a holy life! -He
is not content to just HEAR about holy living, He actually lives a holy life!
-He is not content to just HEAR about holy living, He actually lives a holy life!
2. And what is the result? In the time of life's trials, his relationship with
JESUS CHRIST becomes a rock solid foundation to help him withstand
life's storms. What does that mean on a practicallevel?
It means..........
-You may go through the storms of SICKNESS or DISEASE SICKNESS or
DISEASE SICKNESS orDISEASE SICKNESS orDISEASE, but you will not
be , but you will not be , but you will not be , but you will not be
destroyed, because yourlife is built on destroyed, because
your life is built on destroyed, because your life is built on
destroyed, because your life is built on JESUS, THE ROCKOF SECURITY.
JESUS, THE ROCKOF SECURITY. JESUS, THE ROCK OF SECURITY.
JESUS, THE ROCKOF SECURITY.
-It means that if you go through the storm of -It means that if you go
through the storm of -It means that if you go through the storm of -It
means that if you go through the storm of FINANCIAL DISASTER
FINANCIAL DISASTER FINANCIALDISASTER FINANCIAL DISASTER
and lose your and lose your and lose your and lose your life's savings
or everything you own, you will not be destroyed, because your life's
savings or everything you own, you will not be destroyed, because your
life's savings or everything you own, you will not be destroyed, because your
life's savings or everything you own, you will not be destroyed, because your
life is built on life is built on life is built on life is
built on JESUS, THE ROCK OF SECURITY. JESUS, THE ROCKOF
SECURITY. JESUS, THE ROCK OF SECURITY. JESUS, THE ROCK OF
SECURITY.

- It means you may go through some storms of - It means you may go
through some storms of - It means you may go through some storms of - It
means you may go through some storms of FAMILY PROBLEMS FAMILY
PROBLEMS FAMILY PROBLEMS FAMILY PROBLEMS but you will but
you will but you will but you will not be destroyed because your life
is built on not be destroyedbecause your life is built on
not be destroyedbecause your life is built on not be destroyed
because your life is built on JESUS, THE ROCKOF SECURITY. JESUS,
THE ROCK OF SECURITY. JESUS, THE ROCKOF SECURITY. JESUS,
THE ROCK OF SECURITY.
- It means you may, and certainly will, go through the storms of - It
means you may, and certainly will, go through the storms of - It means you
may, and certainly will, go through the storms of - It means you may, and
certainly will, go through the storms of GRIEF and GRIEF and GRIEF and
GRIEF and
SORROW andDEATH ITSELF SORROW and
DEATH ITSELF SORROW and DEATH ITSELF
SORROW and DEATH ITSELF, but you will not be destroyed, because your
life , but you will not be destroyed, because your life , but you will not be
destroyed, because your life , but you will not be destroyed, because your life
is built on is built on is built on is built on
3. When we build our lives on JESUS CHRIST, we can withstand
anything life throws at us because JESUS IS THE ROCK OF OUR
SECURITY.

C O N C L U S I O N C O N C L U S I O N C O N C L U S I O N C O N C L U
S I O N
There is no greaterterm to describe immoveable......unshakeable......in-
destructible nature of There is no greaterterm to describe
immoveable......unshakeable......in-destructible nature of There is no greater
term to describe immoveable......unshakeable......in-destructible nature of
There is no greaterterm to describe immoveable......unshakeable......in-
destructible nature of JESUS CHRIST than “Rock ofAges.” JESUS CHRIST
than “Rock ofAges.” JESUS CHRIST than “Rock ofAges.” JESUS CHRIST
than “Rock ofAges.”
-He is the ROCK upon which the foundation of the Church was laid. -He is
the ROCKupon which the foundation of the Church was laid. -He is the
ROCK upon which the foundation of the Church was laid. -He is the ROCK
upon which the foundation of the Church was laid. -He is the CHIEF
CORNERSTONEupon which our lives are laid. -He is the CHIEF
CORNERSTONEupon which our lives are laid. -He is the STONE that
the builder rejected. -He is the STONE that the builder rejected. -
He is the STONE that the builder rejected. -He is the STONE that the
builder rejected.
Sinful man nailed Him to the cross, andeven though He died, and was buried,
He arose againSinful man nailed Him to the cross, and even though He died,
and was buried, He arose againSinful man nailed Him to the cross, and even
though He died, and was buried, He arose againSinful man nailed Him to the
cross, and even though He died, and was buried, He arose againonthe third
day. HE COULD NOT BE DESTROYED, FOR HE IS “THE ROCK OF
AGES.” on the third day. HE COULD NOT BE DESTROYED,FOR HE IS
“THE ROCK OF AGES.” on the third day. HE COULD NOT BE
DESTROYED, FOR HE IS “THE ROCK OF AGES.” on the third day. HE
COULD NOT BE DESTROYED, FOR HE IS “THE ROCK OF AGES.”

The question I want to leave you with this morning is this: Is Jesus Your
“Rock The questionI want to leave you with this morning is this: Is Jesus
Your “Rock The question I want to leave you with this morning is this: Is
Jesus Your “Rock The question I want to leave you with this morning is this:
Is Jesus Your “RockofAges?” ofAges?” ofAges?” ofAges?”
Are you building your life on JESUS, “The Rock ofSalvation?” Are you
building your life on JESUS, “The Rock ofSalvation?” Are you building your
life on JESUS, “The Rock ofSalvation?” Are you building your life on
JESUS, “The Rock ofSalvation?” Are you building your life on JESUS,
“The Rock of Strength?” Are you building your life on JESUS, “The
Rock ofStrength?” Are you building your life on JESUS, “The Rock of
Strength?” Are you building your life on JESUS, “The Rock of
Strength?” Are you building your life on JESUS, “The Rock of
Security?” Are you building your life on JESUS, “The Rock of
Security?”
ROCK OF AGES, CLEFT FOR ME, LET ME HIDE MYSELF IN
THEE! ROCK OF AGES, CLEFT FOR ME, LET ME HIDE MYSELF
IN THEE! ROCKOF AGES, CLEFT FOR ME, LET ME HIDE
MYSELF IN THEE! ROCK OF AGES, CLEFT FOR ME, LET ME
HIDE MYSELF IN THEE!
http://www.christianhopechurch.com/sermons/Jesus_is_rock_of_ages.pdf
Biblical Hermeneutics
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In 1 Corinthians 10:4, in what sense was Christ the rock that followedthe
Jews and how did he/it follow?
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Is Paul saying that the rock trailed behind the wandering Jews?And was the
rock literally Christ in a different form? Or is he calling attention to its value
as a metaphor for Christ?
KJV 1Co_10:4 And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of
that spiritual Rock that followedthem: and that Rock was Christ.
hermeneutical-approaches 1-corinthians christologymetaphor typology
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askedJul 20 '18 at 12:49
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It seems to be a reference to the Eucharist (drink appears thrice), in light of
the waterand blood that sprung from Christ's wounded side on Golgotha.
That the rock in question followedthe Israelites through their pilgrimage in
the desertis, to my knowledge,a pious Rabbinic tradition. Hope this helps. –
Lucian Jul 20 '18 at 17:31
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The Greek constructioncontains some well worn literary forms and allusions.
Here are a few. First, Jehovahis often referred to as the Rock ofIsrael and so
was a common metaphor (Isa 44:8, 26:4, Ps 118:22, Isa 28:16, Dan2:34, 35,
45, Matt 21:42-44, Mark 12:10, Luke 20:17, 1 Peter2:4-8, Acts 4:11, Rom
9:33, Ps 28:1, 33;1-3, 42:9, 61:2, 62:7, 71:3, 78:35, 92:15, 144:1, Deut 32:4, 15,
31, 37, 1 Sam 2:2, 2 Sam 22:32, 23:3, Isa 30:29, Hab 1:12). In this metaphor,
God is referred to as both deliverer and saviour.
The context of 1 Cor 10:4 is highly figurative - "our ancestors were under the
cloud and passedthrough the sea" (v1). Paul then expressesthis in more
figurative/metaphoricalor "spiritual" (v3) language or being "baptised into
Moses"and then ate the same spiritual food and drank the same spiritual
drink. That is, they drank from water that was from a spiritual source (water
from the rock twice)and ate food from a spiritual source (manna).
The Rock is calledspiritual and involves an interesting Greek construction. A
rock could be either a "petros" (masculine:a smallish rock or sometimes
pebble) or a "petra" (feminine: a large rock or rock mass). Paul makes the
statement, that rock (petra feminine) was Christ (Christos, masculine), an
obviously figurative statement(that may also allude to Matt 16:16-19, but this
is not clear).
The Figurative nature of this passageand its obvious Hebrew idiom are
reinforced by the allusion to the Israelites being "baptised" into Moses, a
clearly impossible act if it is understood literally.
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answeredJul 20 '18 at 21:52
user25930

Was there a physical rock from which waterflowed? That Moses hit with a
stick? And if so, did it roll behind them? – Ruminator May 7 at 20:07
I am not sure what point you are trying to make. Of course there was a
physical rock from which waterflowed(Ex 17:6, Num 20:11) - but that is the
point. Paul uses this physical rock to make a point about the spiritual rock,
Christ. – user25930May7 at 22:24
So did the rock roll behind them? I'm trying to picture the scene. – Ruminator
May 7 at 22:29
The "Rock"is a metaphor and so needs no physical meaning. The physical
manifestation of God during the desertwanderings was "pillar of cloud" by
day (Ex 13:22, Num 14:14, Deut 1:33, Isa 4:4, Neh 9:12, Ps 78:14, etc) and a
pillar of fire by night. – user25930May7 at 22:44
Can you humor me? How would you picture this rock following the Israelites?
[Jhn 3:12 ESV] (12) If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe,
how can you believe if I tell you heavenly things? [Heb 8:5 ESV] (5) They
serve a copy and shadow of the heavenly things. For when Moses wasaboutto
erectthe tent, he was instructed by God, saying, "See that you make
everything according to the pattern that was shownyou on the mountain." –
Ruminator May 7 at 23:36
show 7 more comments
2

„Is Paul saying that the rock trailed behind the wandering Jews?”Well, yes.
In what sense?
First of all, we have to take into accountthat God is often referred to as a
Rock, in the OT. For instance:
Deuteronomy 32:4
He is the Rock, his works are perfect, and all his ways are just. A faithful God
who does no wrong, upright and just is he. (NIV)
Isaiah30:29
And you will sing as on the night you celebrate a holy festival;your hearts will
rejoice as when people playing pipes go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the
Rock ofIsrael. (NIV)
There are many more examples, a concordance wouldbring them out easily.
On the other hand, some commentators (see E. E. Ellis, “A Note on First
Corinthians 10:4”, in Journal of Biblical Literature, 76/1957, pp. 53–56)
noticed that Paul is taking here a targumic style and is alluding a Jewish
legend according to which that rock followedthe Israelites during their
wanderings in the desert:
T. Sukka 3.11
So the well, which was with Israelin the wilderness [...] travelling with them
up the mountains and going down with them in the valleys
(From Sukkah, Mishna and Tosefta, tr. A. W. Greenup, Translations ofEarly
Documents, Series III: Rabbinic Texts, SPCK, London, 1925, p. 76)
What is important to see, I think, is that Paul is using here a Jewishlegend as
a framework for transfering to Christ the title, ‘the Rock’, usedin the Jewish
tradition for Yahweh. Through this he is inferring that Christ is God.
From a different outlook, there are other commentators (I take as an example
J. F. Walvoord, R. B. Zuck, The Bible knowledge commentary: An exposition

of the scriptures (2:526), Victor Books, Wheaton, IL, 1983-1985)who noticed
that in the OT the drinking of water from the rock is mentioned twice:
Exodus 17:6
I will stand there before you by the rock at Horeb. Strike the rock, and water
will come out of it for the people to drink." So Moses did this in the sight of
the elders of Israel. (NIV)
Numbers 20:11
Then Moses raisedhis arm and struck the rock twice with his staff. Water
gushed out, and the community and their livestock drank. (NIV)
Now it is truth that these two verses can talk about one single event, yet
according to Walvoord& Zuck (see above), Exodus 17:6 is marking the
beginning of Israel’s wilderness wanderings in the desert, whereas the event
from Numbers 20:11 is happening nearthe ending of wanderings. Now if Paul
is referring to both of these events, this would be the reasonwhy he is saying
that Christ, in whom he is seeing the source of supernatural water,
accompanied/followed/trailedthem: it was with them from the beginning until
the end of the wanderings. Therefore Godwas with them everywhere.
Therefore Godis omnipresent. So, as we discoverin Walvoord& Zuck,
another possible answerwould be that in 1 Corinthians 10:4, Paul is talking
about the omnipresence of God. Later on, in Jewishand Christian theological
contexts, omnipresence was discussedas an attribute of God. I am wellaware
this cantake a bit to far. It would be intersting to see if Paul is using anywhere
else a notion related to "omnipresence".HoweverI think it is interesting to
see it unfolding in the following centuries (found it in Walvoord&Zuck and in
various other commentaries).
Is Paul talking here about Christ as „Rock”(metaphorfor God in the OT)? Is
Paul talking about Christ as “omnipresent” (attribute of God)? Or is he just
willing to express that Christ is God?
Now let's return to the original question:
"... was the rock literally Christ in a different form?"

Mostlikely not. In fact the text is not very complex here:
1 Corinthians 10:4
... they drank from the spiritual rock that accompaniedthem, and that rock
[the spiritual one] was Christ. (NIV)
The auhtor is saying that the rock was "spiritual". If you bear with me a little
word play, we could say perhaps that from a spiritual point of view, the
spiritual rock was literally Christ.
"Or is he calling attention to its value as a metaphor for Christ?"
If the above is correct, then the answerto this goes to:"Mostlikely yes." And
if this is true, then really we have to think that in the ANE a metaphor is not
just a figure of speachor a clever wayto express things. When Paul is writing,
Saussure is still to come. In the ANE, when a metaphor is used in a religious
text, the meaning is most likely a theologicalone.
To conclude: my opinion, basedon 1 Corinthians 10:4 and on later
commentaries, would be that the rock was not literally Christ, but the rock
was spiritually Christ. And that Paul, using a figure of speach, is calling
attention to Christ as God, using a syllogismin a Jewishcontext:
- the Jewishcontext is:
Isaiah30:29 (and other OT verses alike)+ Exodus 17:6 + Numbers 20:11 +
the legendfrom T. Sukka 3.11
- the syllogism is:
A. God/he is the rock (of Israel)>
B. God is faithful (as a rock)and accompanies Israelallthe way through the
desert>
C. that rock was Christ >
D. therefore Christ is God. ///

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edited Jul 22 '18 at 14:16
answeredJul 20 '18 at 15:31
Constantin Jinga
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@Ruminator - I think you are being bit tough with our friend Canstantin
Jinga, so let me have a go. – user25930Jul20 '18 at 21:28
Was there a physical rock from which waterflowed? That Moses hit with a
stick? And if so, did it roll behind them? Or did Moses hit Christ/the Angel of
YHVH to produce water? – Ruminator May 7 at 20:09
So to be clear... there were regular rocks on their journey from which the
Jews drank by a miraculous outflow. Can you think of any reasonwhy it

"followed" ratherthan "led"?:[Exo 23:20, 23, 27-28 ESV] (20)"Behold, I
send an angel before you to guard you on the way and to bring you to the
place that I have prepared. ... – Ruminator May 8 at 21:18
(23) "When my angelgoes before you and brings you to the Amorites and the
Hittites and the Perizzites and the Canaanites, the Hivites and the Jebusites,
and I blot them out, ... (27)I will send my terror before you and will throw
into confusionall the people againstwhom you shall come, and I will make all
your enemies turn their backs to you. (28) And I will send hornets before you,
which shall drive out the Hivites, the Canaanites, andthe Hittites from before
you. – Ruminator May 8 at 21:18
Now that really is a question. There are a couple of things to say, not sure if ok
for a comment. But briefly, in a couple of comments: there is a Jewishlegend
saying that the rock was literally with them. Then another one saying that
that by the rock following them is meant that the waterout of the rock
followedthem. – Constantin Jinga May 9 at 8:49
show 2 more comments
0
In 1 Corinthians 10:4, in what sense was Christ the rock that followedthe
Jews and how did he/it follow?
1 Corinthians 10:4 (NASB)
"And all drank the same spiritual drink, for they were drinking from a
spiritual rock which followedthem; and the rock was Christ."
The Israelites were expecting the promised seed, Shiloh,to Abraham God
promised:

Genesis 22:18 , 49:10 (NASB)
22:18 In your seedall the nations of the earth shall be blessed, becauseyou
have obeyed My voice.”49:10 “The sceptershallnot depart from Judah, Nor
the ruler’s staff from betweenhis feet,Until Shiloh comes, And to him shall be
the obedience ofthe peoples.
Paul wrote that the sacrificesforsin pointed to the Messiahandthat the Law
was a tutor leading to Christ, the "rock mass" (Matthew 16:18)
Hebrews 10:1 (NASB)
One Sacrifice ofChrist Is Sufficient
10 For the Law, since it has only a shadow of the goodthings to come and not
the very [a]form of things, cannever, by the same sacrifices whichthey offer
continually year by year, make perfect those who draw near.
Galatians 3:24 (NASB)
24 Therefore the Law has become our tutor to lead us to Christ, so that we
may be justified by faith.
Conclusion.
Thus ,God not only provided the Israelites with literal food and water for
their daily needs ,He also provided them with spiritual food associatedwith
the Messiah, giving them faith and hope that followedthem in the wilderness.
Paul wrote that the Israelites:"And all drank the same spiritual drink, for
they were drinking from a spiritual rock which followedthem; and the rock
was Christ."(1 Corinthians 10:4) Miraculously the Israelites received
provision of waterfrom a rock mass (Exodus 17:5-7 and Numbers 20:1-11).
Hence ,the rock-mass as a source ofwater, in effect, followedthem. The rock-
mass itself was evidently a pictorial, or symbolic, type of Christ Jesus, who
said to the Jews:“If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink.”—John
7:37

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edited May 8 at 20:48
answeredMay7 at 20:04
Ozzie Nicolas
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@ Ruminator: Appreciate you queries, have added more to the conclusion,
hope it helps, – Ozzie Nicolas May8 at 20:51
@Ruminator :Naturally, the physical rock-mass did not literally move,the
spiritual rock mass which followedthem was Christ. If about 600.000men
and women beside children (Exodus 12:37) drank from ,it must of been
natural mineral water. PersonallyI believe that since a huge quantity of

waterwas required to quench the thirst of such a large crowd , perhaps the
waterflowed and followedthem. The difference of about 1500 years between
Moses andJesus make that highly impossible, what do you think?? – Ozzie
Nicolas May9 at 19:42
Paul wrote that all scriptures is inspired by God, are you then saying that God
is carelessbecausewe earthly minuscule minds are trying to understand his
messageto us?, I am sure you are not saying this.(2 Tim 3:16) Paul prayed for
more accurate knowledge, the Bible is like a puzzle :Philippians 1:9-10
(NASB) 9" And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in
real knowledge andall discernment, 10 so that you may approve the things
that are excellent, in order to be sincere and blameless until the day of
Christ." Compare, Proverbs 1:9-10, Psalm43:3, John 16:12-13 – Ozzie
Nicolas May9 at 20:59
https://hermeneutics.stackexchange.com/questions/33909/in-1-corinthians-
104-in-what-sense-was-christ-the-rock-that-followed-the-jews
View all Sermons
Jesus Christ Our Rock
Contributed by Dr.w.samuelLegonon Jul 25, 2009
based on 28 ratings
(rate this sermon)
| 27,713 views

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 10:4
Denomination: Baptist
Summary: We must learn to trust Christ for all our needs. Stand on and with
him in all our trials.
JESUS CHRIST OUR ROCK
Text : 1stCor : 10 : 4 And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they
drank of that spiritual Rock that followedthem: and that Rock was Christ.
We are looking for something specialto help keepus strong and stable in our
lives. We tend to look to the worldly things which fail so many times and leave
us hanging. There is a rock we can trust.
( 1) THIS ROCK IS STABLE
Heb: 13:8 Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.
A. We change thought out life (Ways)
B. Our ways change (Heart )
C. Our customs change (Mind )
When we come to trust Christ we find a strong rock to build on.
A rock that will not shake are break no matter what comes our way.
The old hymn goes I shall not be moved.
(2) HE IS OUR ROCKOF STRENGTH
Psalm62:7 In God is my salvation and my glory: the rock of my strength, and
my refuge, is in God

A. David declares that God is his all
B. Glory Salvation Strength
C. His refuge a place to hide and know he was safe.
(3) HE IS OUR ROCKOF SAFETY
Psalm62 :2 He only is my rock and my salvation; he is my defence;I shall not
be greatly moved.
3 How long will ye imagine mischief againsta man? ye shall be slain all of
you: as a bowing wall shall ye be, and as a tottering fence.
A. God is my defence
B. Protectionin times of trouble
C. Only one who can stand againstthe Devil
D We must trust him
Psalm94:22 But the LORD is my defence;and my God is the rock of my
refuge.
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(4) THE ROCKWE CAN STAND ON
Psalm40: 2 He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay,
and setmy feetupon a rock, and establishedmy goings.
A. He picked me up out of my sins
B. He pulled me out of the miry clay where I was going lowerand lower.
C. He set my feet on solid rock . FIRM STRONG UNMOIVABLE

D. He showedme the way to go.
On this solid rock I stand ,all other ground is sinking sand
(5) THE ROCKOF SUPPLY
David said in Psalm78:20 Behold, he smote the rock, that the waters gushed
out, and the streams overflowed;canhe give bread also? canhe provide flesh
for his people?
A. Satisfying water
B. Spiritual water
C. Filling water
D. The rock of Jesus canfill any empty place in our lives.
Deut: 32:13 He made him ride on the high places ofthe earth, that he might
eat the increase ofthe fields; and he made him to suck honey out of the rock,
and oil out of the flinty rock;
Our total supply.
(6) HE IS OUR ROCKOF SATISFACTION
Isaiah32:2 And a man shall be as an hiding place from the wind, and a covert
from the tempest; as rivers of waterin a dry place, as the shadow of a great
rock in a weary land.
Waterfrom this “Smitten Rock”brings complete satisfaction
(7) THE ROCKOF SINING
Isaiah42:11 Let the wilderness and the cities thereof lift up their voice, the
villages that Kedar doth inhabit: let the inhabitants of the rock sing, let them
shout from the top of the mountains.
A. Sing
B. Praise

C. Shout
Exodus 15:2 The LORD is my strength and song, and he is become my
salvation:he is my God, and I will prepare him an habitation; my father’s
God, and I will exalt him.
Eph: 5:18 And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess;but be filled with
the Spirit;
19 Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing
and making melody in your heart to the Lord;
1 Corinthians 10:4
And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual
Rock thatfollowed(followedafter) them: andthat Rock was Christ
(anointed).
(Paulis using an ANALOGY in this passage)
“that Rock wasChrist” (G5547) has the same meaning as saying; “thatRock
was anointed”
Note: Wheneverwe readthe word“CHRIST” do notautomaticallysubstitute
the name Jesus forthe word“CHRIST,” becausethe wordChristis not Jesus’
lastname. The words “Christ” and“anointed” both reflectthe anointing of
GodAlmighty that is placedupon or within someone orsomething; suchas
God’s Spirit dwelling within Jesus (John14:10; Acts 10:38) orGod
supernaturally causing “drinkable water” to come forthfrom a rock, etc..
(Exodus 17:5, 6).

With many of the Israelites Godwas notpleased(1Corinthians 10:5) so all
these things (1 Corinthians 10:1-4) weredone as examples (1Corinthians 10:6,
11).
Paul, in 1 Corinthians 10:4, is alluding to the supernatural provisionof water
from the rock and drawing a spiritual parallelof those among Israel.
The literal physicalrock in the Old Testamentwas a SPIRITUALlesson
TEACHING us of the coming of the CHRIST, the ANOINTED ONE, our
Messiah, oursavior, to those who hadfaith in the provisioning of God, the
promised seedwho was to follow themin time (some 1400 yearslater), which
was Christ.
Backgroundinformation:
The Israelites continuedtheir journey into the wilderness andeventually came
to a place calledRephidim. Once again, there wasno waterto drink, and the
people startedcomplaining. Godthen orderedMoses to strike a certainrock so
that waterwould gushout of it for the people to drink. The Bible notes that
Moses “calledthe place MassahandMeribah(Exodus 17:7).
Forty years afterthis time of the smiting ofthe rock, whenIsraelhadbeen
journeying to and fro, waiting for the time to come that they might be
permitted to enter Canaan, theirwandering led againinto this district, so
barren and devoid of water.
But what happenedto the gushing rock? The indicationis that the rock did not
stayat Rephidim, because sometime later, itis now in a different place —
Kadesh— and a similar thing happened: waterwas miraculouslyproduced
when Mosesstruck a rock withhis staff (Numbers 20:7-12). The textthenadds,
“These werethe waters ofMeribah” (Numbers 20:13). Ifthese were the

“waters ofMeribah,”thenthat rock must somehow have movedfrom
Rephidim to Kadesh!
Note:
Firstand foremost, Christwas nevera literalrock orbolder. And this
apparently very large rock probably did not roll around the ground following
the Israelite people wandering through the wilderness.
Let’s first take a look atseveral other“figure ofspeech” passageshaving a
similar contextual understanding.
To Hunger & Thirst / To Eat& Drink
John4:10 (KJV)
10 Jesus answeredandsaidunto her, If thou knewestthe gift ofGod, and who
it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldesthave askedofhim, and
he would have given thee living water.
John4:14 (KJV)

14 But whosoeverdrinkethofthe waterthat I shall give him shallnever thirst;
but the waterthat I shall give him shallbe in him a wellof waterspringing up
into everlasting life.
John6:27 (KJV)
27 Labour not for the meatwhich perisheth, but forthat meatwhich endureth
unto everlasting life, whichthe Sonof man shallgive unto you: for him hath
Godthe Fathersealed.
John7:37 (KJV)
37 In the lastday, that greatday of the feast, Jesusstoodandcried, saying, If
any man thirst, let him come unto me, anddrink.
Note:
Mostofus understand that these passages(John4:10, 14, 6:27, 7:37) are not
speaking aboutthe physical substance we normallyconsume to help maintain
our physical bodies.
Jesus toldthe Pharisees, the multitudes and His disciples that His flesh was the
bread oflife come downfrom heavenand if “eaten” theywouldneverdie
(John6:35-58). Jesus saidthatthe bread He gave His disciples atthe Lord’s
Supper was His body and the drink was His blood(Matthew 26:26-28). Yet,
this was notliterally true.
We take communion by eating realphysicalbread, but we certainly do not
claim that it has now beenturned into realphysical fleshprotein of our Lord’s
physicalbody. In other words, the breaddid not magicallymetamorphose into

something else physical(namelyflesh); neitherwere theyliterally drinking the
“blood” ofJesus. Jesus gavethemliteralbread and not His literal physical
flesh. Whatthat bread represented, andsymbolized, was indeed, His body—
however, itwas nothis physical body.
Mat5:6 makes itclearthatour appetite must be for righteousness.
“Blessedare theywhich do hunger and thirst after righteousness: forthey shall
be filled.”
——————
Thatspiritual Rock thatfollowed
To Follow / Follow After
1 Corinthians 10:4 onthe otherhand is often referredto as proofthat Jesus
was actuallyGod.
Many translate the word “follow” (in1 Corinthians 10:4) asifJesus was
literally “accompanying” the Israelites ontheirjourney during their Exodus
(Chp17:1-6), butPaulis speaking figuratively.
It was inthe wilderness where this greatprophecyof the coming Messiahwas
given: “Astarwill come outof Jacob; a scepterwillrise out ofIsrael,” and
“their kingdomwill be (whichis yet to come) exalted” (Num. 24:7,17).
Christ was the hope of Israel, andthose who lookedforwardto his coming were
strengthenedby their anticipationof the coming Messiah(Gal3:7-8).
The word “follow” means “followafter,” (Vine’s Words: Follow, Follow after,
Reach). The Israelitesdid“drink,” i.e., getnourishment, fromknowing about
the Messiahwho was to come after(follow after) them.

This understanding canbe seenin Luke 9:23
“And he said to them all, If any man will come afterme, let him deny himself,
and take up his cross daily, andfollow me.”
The word “follow” (in1Cor10:4) is the same wordthat Jesus usedwhenHe
said, “take uphis cross dailyand follow me.” Again, this was notliterally true.
He did not meanfor his disciples to follow him everywhere he went dragging a
literal cross behindthem (andthey didn’t). It meantthe same as it does today,
that we are to follow after(patternour life after) his ways.
Christ Was thatRock & Iwas thatSon– But not literally!
We may speak in the same metaphoric manner today. In some ofmy sermon
messages, Ihave mentioned that there was a time in which I went against my
Heavenly father’s wishes. Ingiving my sermonmessage, whichcentered
around a parable about a prodigal son(Luke 15:11-32) Istatedthat“I was
that son,” althoughIwas clearlynotthe same sonJesus spokeofduring that
time he was speaking (forIwas notyet birthed), the statementI made was
nonetheless true, figuratively, forI was that(“type of“) prodigal sonofwhich
this story depicts.
Hence there is a symbolic connection.
Although these types ofpassages canbe somewhatchallenging there are
always comformationscriptures thatwe must never disregardand helps us to
stayin alignment with the truth and whatthe Bible teaches us aboutGodand
Christ (Godis always the “Almighty in all things” – John14:28, 8:28, 12:50).

Luke 2:52“AndJesus increasedinwisdomand stature, andin favor with God
and man.”
https://www.theonenessofgod.org/that-rock-was-christ-1corinthians-104/
Waterfrom a Walking Rock
What does Paul mean in 1 Corinthians 10:4?
MeganSauter March05, 2017 29 Comments 5314 views Share
“… Forthey drank from the spiritual rock that followedthem, and the rock
was Christ.”
—1 Corinthians 10:4
A WALKING ROCK IN THE DESERT. A walking rock, sailing stone,
moving rock or sliding rock are all names for a rock that moves along a
smooth valley floor without the assistanceofhumans or animals. What does
Paul mean in the Bible when he talks about the “spiritual rock that followed”
the Israelites during their wanderings in the wilderness? Is he talking about a
walking rock? No—the natural phenomenon of a walking rock is very
different than the miraculous water-giving rock mentioned in 1 Corinthians
10:4. Photo:Lgcharlot’s is licensedunder CC-by-SA-4.0
What does Paul mean in the Bible when he says that the Israelites drank
“from the spiritual rock that followedthem” during their wanderings in the
wilderness?
Paul makes this claim—in 1 Corinthians 10:4—while recounting how the
Israelites were sustainedin the wilderness aftertheir dramatic Exodus from
Egypt before they entered the Promised Land. They “allate the same spiritual
food” and “drank the same spiritual drink” (1 Corinthians 10:3–4).

Those familiar with the Hebrew Bible (Old Testament)might stop and
wonder: What does Paul mean? In the Bible, it says that the Israelites
miraculously receivedwater from a rock two times (Exodus 17:1–7 and
Numbers 20:1–14). Bothtimes Moses hit the rock, which then produced
water, but the text never claims that the Israelites were followedby a water-
giving rock. Therefore, whatdoes Paul mean in 1 Corinthians 10:4?
John Byron examines this passagein his Biblical Views column “Paul, Jesus
and the Rolling Stone” in the September/October2015issue ofBAR.
Byron notes that, interestingly, Paul is not the only person to suggestthat the
Israelites were followedby a watersource during their wilderness
wanderings. A first-century C.E. source calledPseudo-Philo’s Biblical
Antiquities makes a similar claim: “But as for his own people, he led them
forth into the wilderness:Forty years did he rain bread from heaven for them,
and he brought them quails from the sea, and a well of water following them”
(10.7).
In the free eBookPaul:JewishLaw and Early Christianity, learn about the
cultural contexts for the theologyof Paul and how Jewishtraditions and law
extended into early Christianity through Paul’s dual roles as a Christian
missionary and a Pharisee.
MOSES HIT THE ROCK, and water gushedforth—as depicted in this fresco
by RaphaelSanzio. Did a water-giving rock follow the Israelites through the
wilderness? If not, what does Paul mean in 1 Corinthians 10:4?
Pseudo-Philo claims that a well of waterfollowedthe Israelites through the
wilderness, whereas in 1 Corinthians 10:4, Paul says that it was a rock that
followedthem. How did these two ancient interpreters come to their
conclusions?

“What they seemto have concluded,” Byron explains, “is that since Moses
named both the rock at Rephidim (Exodus 17:7) and the one at Kadesh
(Numbers 20:13)‘Meribah,’ the logicalconclusionwas that both were one and
the same rock and that it, therefore, must have accompaniedIsraelon their
journey.”
1 Corinthians 10:4 reflects a common ancient interpretation—that the
Israelites were followedby a watersource during their wilderness
wanderings, which is demonstrated by Paul’s casualreference andsupported
by Pseudo-Philo.
In the passage, Paulmakes a secondunusual claim: The rock that followed
the Israelites through the wilderness was Christ.
How should we respond to these two claims? Was Paul speaking literally or
figuratively?
“At the end of the day it’s unclear whether Paul really thought the rock
followedIsraelin the desert,” Byron says. “Mostancientand modern
commentators assume that Paul is reading Israel’s story typologically rather
than suggesting that Jesus was presentwith Israel in the wilderness in the
form of a movable water source.”
To see John Byron’s full explanation of 1 Corinthians 10:4, read his column
“Paul, Jesus and the Rolling Stone” in the September/October2015issue of
BAR.
https://www.biblicalarchaeology.org/daily/biblical-topics/new-
testament/water-from-a-walking-rock/
Thursday, April 20, 2006
Christ as the Rock of Exod 17 (1 Cor10:1-4)?

In 1 Cor 10:1-4, Paul makes the shocking claim that the rock from which the
Israelites drank in desert(Exod 17)was Christ:
For I do not want you to be unaware, brethren, that our fathers were all
under the cloud and all passedthrough the sea;and all were baptized into
Moses in the cloud and in the sea;and all ate the same spiritual food; and all
drank the same spiritual drink, for they were drinking from a spiritual rock
which followed them; and the rock was Christ.
(1 Cor 10:1-4; NAS1995)
On what basis does Paul make such an identification? Is this merely fanciful
exegesis? Is there any theologicalbasis for such an identification?
Postedby Matthew S. Harmon at 10:01 AM
Labels: 1 Corinthians, Exodus, OT in NT
4 comments:
Scottsaid...
Matt,
I've just sped through all of your entries to date and am pleasedthat you are
seeking to share your learning and questions on BT, a subject in which I find
greatinterest, since I agree with you that it is the spring from which all other
theologyrightly flows. Further, it is an area of study in which I need
sharpening.

As for your question here on 1 Cor 10, I'm not sure I've got the answer, I just
wanted to comment and express support for your blog. But I do find a couple
things interesting as I chew on this passage...
I've never noticed before that "they drank from the spiritual rock that
followedthem." Certainly Paul isn't saying that an actual rock rolled around
behind them as they migrated through the wilderness (although they did geta
cloud and a pillar of fire, a little rock would be no big deal). I'm guessing that
Paul is saying something like, everywhere they went, they were spiritually
(miraculously) provided for, and their Provider was Christ. On occasion, they
receivedwaterfrom an actualrock, giving Paul the idea to apply this imagery
to the personof Christ: He was their Rock, justas He is our Rock, thatis, our
source of spiritual food and drink.
I'm not sure this relates to your questions. Maybe I need you to rephrase the
question. Like I said, I need sharpening here. But I'm loving the blog!
7:51 PM
Jordan said...
I must say, I've thought about this throughout today and can't come up with a
satisfactoryanswer.
Paul calls the provisions from the OT "spiritual" - even the rock is spiritual.
So, perhaps it boils down to understanding what Paul means by spiritual food,
drink, and a rock.

Maybe the rock is in some way a type of Christ. Or perhaps more generally,
God's provisions which involved the rock. Jesus wouldthen be spiritual food
as well (cf. John 6:30ff).
I guess I still can't getpassed"that rock was Christ."
Nevertheless,thanks for this post and for the challenges andinsights you
bring. I absolutelylove it!
2:27 AM
SeanLeRoy said...
Matt,
Goodpostings; a lot to think thru.
In I Cor 10.1-4 I think Paul can justify his move to equate the experience of
the first generationof Christians with the experience of the first generationof
Israelites around the idea of 'qualification' or, put in the negative,
'disqualification' (see I Cor 9.27). By their behavior, at leastsome of the
Corinthian believers were in danger of incurring God's judgment (some of
them had already...), insteadof carrying God's blessing and glory. Hence
Paul's language - 'these things happened to them as examples for us';
'considerthe people of Israel', etc.
As for the reference to Christ as the 'rock that followedthem', it seems that
one helpful key is Paul uses the term 'spiritual' rock, I believe so as to link the
literal drinking from the rock, with the sustaining presence ofthe Angel of the
Lord, who was presentwith them in the wilderness according to God's
promise. In this passageit doesn'tseemthat Paul is exegeting scripture, so
much as he is connecting (exegeting?)experiences, thatof the first generation
of Christians with that of the first generationof Israelites.

11:08 AM
Matt Harmon said...
This may be one of the more difficult uses of the OT in Paul because he seems
to be so far removed from the OT text, and may be dependent on Jewish
exegeticaltraditions. I wish I had a goodconcise answerforthis one, but I
don't yet. But I do have a friend here in the WheatonPh.D program who is
writing his dissertationon this, so perhaps the definitive answeris on the way
in the next two years :)
3:29 PM https://bibtheo.blogspot.com/2006/04/christ-as-rock-of-exod-17-1-
cor-101-4.html
Jesus Christ
'The Rock'of the Old Testament
Jesus Christ was the Rock ofthe Old Testament.
Kyle Cesmat/Unsplash
The God the Israelites of the Old Testamentknew—the One they lookedto as
their “Rock”ofstrength.
The apostle Paulaffirms that the God the Israelites of the Old Testament
knew—the One they lookedto as their “Rock”ofstrength (see Deuteronomy
32:4; Psalms 18:2)—was the One we know as Jesus Christ. Notice whatPaul
wrote in 1 Corinthians 10:1-4:“All our fathers were under the cloud, all
passedthrough the sea, all were baptized into Moses inthe cloud and in the
sea, all ate the same spiritual food, and all drank the same spiritual drink. For
they drank of that spiritual Rock that followedthem, and that Rock was
Christ.”

Jesus was the One who spoke to Moses andtold Him to return to Egypt to
bring the Israelites to freedom. Jesus was the LORD ( YHWH ) who caused
the plagues to come on Egypt. He was the God who led the Israelites out of
Egypt and through the wanderings for 40 years. He was the Lawgiver who
gave the laws to Moses andspoke to Mosesona regular basis. He was the
LORD who dealt with Israelthroughout their national history.
Yes, astounding as it seems, JesusChristis the LORD ( YHWH ) spokenof so
often in the Old Testament.
https://www.ucg.org/bible-study-tools/booklets/jesus-christ-the-real-
story/jesus-christ-the-rock-of-the-old-testament
The Lord Is My Rock
By JasonJackson

We are comforted by the words, “The Lord is my shepherd,” but what about
the thought, “The Lord is my rock”?
The word “rock” is used about twenty-four times in the book of Psalms with
reference to God. Here is an example.
“Jehovahis my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; My God, my rock, in
whom I will take refuge; my shield, and the horn of my salvation, and my high
tower” (Ps. 18:2).
We canappreciate the use of “rock” betterwhen we understand its Old
Testamentbackground.
During the wilderness wandering, God causedwaterto flow from a rock.
Moses reflectedonthis miraculous event with Israelon the shores of the
Jordan as they prepared to enter Canaan.
“[God] led thee through the greatand terrible wilderness, wherein were fiery
serpents and scorpions, and thirsty ground where was no water;who brought
thee forth waterout of the rock of flint” (Deut. 8:15).
Later, Moses wasliterally betweena rock and a hard place in the wilderness
— and for his own good. God hid him in the “cleftof the rock” and covered
him with His hand for protection (Ex. 33:22).
With these backgroundexperiences, Moseswas the first in Scripture to use
the word “rock” in a figurative sense in connectionwith God. “The Rock, his
work is perfect; For all his ways are justice” (Deut. 32:4; cf. vv.
13,15,18,30,31,37).
Others in Israelwould speak ofGod in the same figurative way. Hannah
prayed, “There is none holy as Jehovah; Forthere is none besides thee,
Neither is there any rock like our God” (1 Sam. 2:2).
David praised God as the Rock in his “royalthanksgiving song” and in his
“lastsong” (2 Sam. 22:2,3,32,47;23:3).
It is no wonder that Psalms — a poetic book — employs this meaningful
metaphor.

This term reminds us that God is the source of our physical blessings. As
Israelwas dramatically shown in the wilderness, Godprovides for our needs.
Relying on the goodnessand providence of God, Jesus teachesus to pray,
“Give us this day our daily bread” (Mt. 6:11).
As the rock in the wilderness was a miraculous source of water — and
therefore life — God symbolized Israel’s miraculous establishment. He raised
them up by His mighty power to fulfill a role or service in bringing His son
into the world. Today, God is the source of the church, the spiritual Israel,
and He is the fountain of our spiritual vitality (Gal. 6:16; 2 Sam. 23:3).
Just as the nation of Israel had a rich miraculous heritage, so does the church.
The miracles of Christ, the resurrection, the signs of the apostles, and the
spiritual gifts given to first-century Christians provide that heritage. We
understand, however, that the age of miracles has ceased(1 Cor. 13:6-8).
The word “rock” is equated with the idea of strength. Rock was usedto build
walls, fortresses,and towers in Bible times. Godis our source of strength in
times of distress and danger.
God is also our refuge. Like Moses, we canhide in the cleft of “the Rock.”
God will care for us.
“Rock”also typifies something about the nature of God. He is solid as a rock.
He is unchangeable in nature — immutable. Moses hadthis in mind when he
spoke of God’s ways and justice (Deut. 32:4).
The “rock” symbolismcontinues in the New Testamentwith reference to
Christ. He is the foundation, the chief-corner stone. He is the rock of offense
to those who reject Him, but the spiritual rock for those who obey Him (Eph.
2:20; Rom. 9:33; 1 Pet. 2:8; 1 Cor. 10:4).
And so we sing, “Rock ofAges.” Let us pray, “Lord, you are our rock. Let us
hide ourselves in thee.”
https://www.christiancourier.com/articles/1165-lord-is-my-rock-the

1 Corinthians 10:4
Sep 28, 2014 // by Charlie Garrett // 1 Corinthians, 1 Corinthians 10,
Daily Writing, Epistles (written), Writings // No Comments
Sunday, 28 September 2014
…and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank of that spiritual
Rock that followedthem, and that Rock was Christ. 1 Corinthians 10:4
So far in just three verses, Paulhas shownthe greatamount of spiritual
connectionbetweenthe exodus and wilderness wanderings and their
correlationto Christ. He has shown that the cloud and the sea pictured being
baptized into Moses,meaning the Law given by the Lord. He has also shown
that the manna they ate was “spiritual food.” Now he shows that even the
waterthey drank was a spiritual picture of Christ because they “all drank the
same spiritual drink.”
One cannotlive long without water. God intended this to show that just as we
cannot live without water, so we cannot live without being spiritually
connectedto Him through Christ. We are either dead in sins and trespasses,
having inherited Adam’s fallen nature, or we are born againthrough Christ.
To show us that this was pictured in the exodus account, he says, “Forthey
drank of that spiritual Rock that followedthem, and that Rock was Christ.”
The people of Israeltwice drank directly from water which issued from a
rock. The first time was in Exodus 17:1-6 in a place calledRephidim (meaning
“resting places”)whichwas their 11th stop while traveling. The secondis
recordedin Numbers 20:1-11 at a place calledKadesh (meaning “holy”). This
was their 33rd recordedstop. After they receivedthe water, the places were
renamed “Meribah,” which means “strife” or “contention” becausethe people
strived with the Lord over the water.
Paul says that in these places “they drank of that spiritual Rock which
followedthem.” There is a Jewishtradition that the rock literally followed

them whereverthey went. This is not the intent of Paul’s words. Rather, the
idea of “following” them is that wherever they were, Christ was present. They
contended with the Lord, claiming that He had left them to die, but then the
Lord, through Moses,showedthem that He was always there, ready to
provide. This is the intent of saying that the Rock “followedthem.”
This Rock is then said explicitly to be Christ by Paul. In other words, the
natural rock is merely a metaphor which is then left completely out of the true
picture. If there was one rock in Rephidim and one rock in Kadeshand both
gave water, then the Rock is a picture of Christ. If this is so, then it isn’t just
the rock either, but the waterwhich issued from the rock which is also the
intended symbol. As it says, “they drank ‘of’ that spiritual Rock.”
Understanding this, the rest of the Bible in both testaments uses the terms
“rock” and“water” to describe the Lord. The rock is the unmovable
foundation upon which our faith is grounded, such as in the parable of
building one’s house upon the rock in Matthew 7. The water is the water of
life seenin John 4, John 7, Revelation22, and elsewhere.The accountfrom
John 4 is both memorable and explicit –
“Jesus answeredand said to her, ‘Whoever drinks of this waterwill thirst
again, 14 but whoeverdrinks of the water that I shall give him will never
thirst. But the waterthat I shall give him will become in him a fountain of
waterspringing up into everlasting life.'” John 4:13, 14
Life application: When reading the Bible, one should attempt to remember
things that are mentioned and see if later comparisons are made. Rocks,
water, harvesters, the wind, trees, numbers, milk, types of grain, different
types of work, and on and on. All of them having meaning and nothing is
arbitrary. Eachwill give us insights into Christ, into God’s plan of redemptive
history, and teachus moral lessons as well. Nothing is superfluous and
nothing is left out. The Bible is an amazingly beautiful compilation of words
which all form to show us God’s love for us. And it is all centeredon the
Personand work of Jesus Christ.
Lord God, I know that whateverI read or study will be absorbedinto my
collective memory and mold me in some way. As this is certain, I will

endeavorto read, contemplate, and absorbYour word above all else. As it
reveals Your very heart for me, then obviously I will be molded more and
more into Your image as I learn and apply it to my life. Thank You for this
wondrous gift which will allow me to be shapedby You into a vesselof beauty
and holiness. Amen.
he Rock
October5, 2019
The Rock
For they drank of that spiritual Rock that followedthem, and that Rock was
Christ. Now these things became our examples…—1 Corinthians 10: 4, 6
The God who brought waterfrom the smitten rock for the thirsty children of
Israelis the same God who brought life for us through the body of His smitten
Son. The miraculous provision of waterthey experiencedwas but a
foreshadowing ofthe miraculous provision of righteousness we have
experienced.
**Nothing satisfies man’s deep thirst for God excepta meaningful
relationship with God.
Paul declares, “ThatRock wasChrist.” Jesus spokeofthe waterof life He
would give to those who thirst. In John 4, Jesus told the Samaritan woman,
“Whoeverdrinks of this waterwill thirst again, but whoeverdrinks of the
waterthat I shall give him will never thirst. But the waterthat I shall give him
will become in him a fountain of waterspringing up into everlasting life”
(John 4: 13-14).
Those who try to quench that thirst with anything else will find that they
continue to thirst. But when you go to the Rock, who is Christ, the waterHe
gives you not only satisfies, it overflows like a well of living water.

Are you thirsty today? All you have to do is speak to the Rock. He will cause
the waterof life to flow forth to you. He will open the floodgates and satisfy
your thirst.
Father, we thank You for Jesus Christ, the Rock of ages who was smitten for
us. Keep us from going to any other source when we are thirsty. Help us to
bring our thirst to You, that we might drink freely and fully and find the
satisfactionwe long for. In Jesus’name, amen.
YBIC, Dan Shock CBMC ofTampa Bay
Engage in Kingdom Work: Advance.CBMC.Com<advance.cbmc.com/> -Free
tools for sharing and growing your faith
Perspective onKingdom Work:“Thinking Lost” bit.ly/1iUQg7x -best
teaching I’ve heard on the Great Commission[image1.jpeg]
Dan Shock CBMC ofTampa Bay
Engage in Kingdom Work: Advance.CBMC.Com<advance.cbmc.com/> -Free
tools for sharing and growing your faith
Perspective onKingdom Work:“Thinking Lost” bit.ly/1iUQg7x -best
teaching I’ve heard on the Great Commission
Sermon: “Jesus Is Your Rock” (September28, 2014)
by kdudley | Sep 29, 2014 | News |
Christ EpiscopalChurch, Valdosta
“Jesus Is Your Rock” (Exodus 17:1-7)
September 28, 2014
Dave Johnson
In the Name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

A few days ago New York Yankees legendaryshortstopDerek Jeterplayed
his final game at Yankee Stadium. Whether you are a fan of the Yankees or
whether like many people you see them as “The Evil Empire,” you have to
respectthe twenty-year careerof Derek Jeter, who played over 2,700 games,
all for the New York Yankees. He had over 3,400 hits, and helped lead the
Yankees to the playoffs seventeentimes in which he had over 200 post-season
hits and helped them win the World Series five times. And at his lastat-bat on
Thursday night, his final at-bat at Yankee Stadium, he won the game with a
walk-offsingle to right field, demonstrating yet once againthe truth of his
nickname, “Captain Clutch”.
My sonPaul and I have been Derek Jeterfans for years. And yet in spite of all
the amazing moments in his career, my all-time favorite hit by Derek Jeter
was actually a foul ball. In May 2011 to celebrate his twelfth birthday I took
Paul to see the Yankees play the Orioles at Camden Yards in Baltimore. The
game went into extra innings, lots of extra innings. In fact, when we gotto the
fourteenth inning we stoodfor the fourteenth inning stretch—fourteenth
inning stretch, who knew?—andsang “TakeMe Out to the Ballgame.”
During the top of the fifteenth inning Jetercame to the plate and hit a foul
ball to the stands down the first base line, fairly close to where Paul and I
were sitting. The vast majority of the crowdhad left at that point, but out of
the cornerof my eye I saw another fan making his way toward the ball—so
demonstrating a “Christ-like” attitude I sprinted close to where the ball
landed and dived over some seats to snag the ball just before the other fan did.
What was a meaningless foul ball for Derek Jeterbecame an unexpected
birthday gift for my son.
In today’s Old TestamentlessonGoddoes something unexpected for the
Israelites, illustrating the truth of the opening words of the collectfor today—
“O God, you declare your almighty powerchiefly in showing mercy and pity”
(The Book ofCommon Prayer, 234).
The Israelites had recently been delivered by Godfrom four centuries of
slavery in Egypt. They had crossedthe Red Sea into the wilderness, and the
writer of Exodus tells us, they “journeyed by stages, as the Lord

commanded”—andyet they still found themselves in a place where there was
no water to drink.
And in the hot dry wilderness with no waterin sight, the Israelites were
stressedto the breaking point. And like many of us when stressedto the
breaking point, they were overcome with anger. They went to Moses and
demanded, “Give us waterto drink,” and they went on to accuse him, “Why
did you bring us out of Egypt, to kill us and our children and livestock with
thirst?”
Moses was exasperated, and cried out to the Lord, “What shall I do with this
people?”
The Lord responded by showing mercy and pity, and did something
unexpected.
“Go on ahead of the people, and take some of the elders of Israelwith you,”
the Lord told Moses, “takein your hand the staff with which you struck the
Nile, and go. I will be standing there in front of you on the rock at Horeb.
Strike the rock, and water will come out of it, so that the people may drink.”
And that is exactly what happened—MosesledIsraelto the rock, and the
Lord provided for them in an unexpected way.
The greatfourth century Church Father Ambrose emphasizes that this
miracle was yet another example of the grace ofGod:
“The people of the fathers thirsted, Moses touchedthe rock, and waterflowed
out of the rock. Did not grace work a result contrary to nature, so that the
rock poured forth water, which by nature it did not contain?” (Ancient
Christian Commentary on Scripture: Old Testament, Vol. III, 90).
How do you respond when you are stressedto the breaking point?
In the book of Psalms the writer often describes how in times of stress the
Lord is our rock. In Psalm18 we read, “My God, my rock in whom I put my
trust, my shield, the horn of my salvation, and my refuge; you are worthy of
praise” (18:2); and similarly in Psalm61, “I call upon you from the ends of

the earth with heaviness in my heart; set me upon the rock that is higher than
I” (61:2).
And yet in times of stress many of us, rather than trusting the Lord to be our
rock, withdraw and isolate ourselves—andwe try to be our own rock instead.
In his song “I Am a Rock,”the iconic singer-songwriterPaulSimon brilliantly
articulates this:
A winter’s day
In a deep and dark December
I am alone
Gazing from my window
To the streets below
On a freshly fallen, silent shroud of snow
I am a rock
I am an island
I’ve built walls
A fortress, steepand mighty
That none may penetrate
I have no need of friendship
Friendship causes pain
It’s laughter and it’s loving I disdain
I am a rock
I am an island

Don’t talk of love
Well, I’ve heard the words before
It’s sleeping in my memory
And I won’t disturb the slumber
Of feelings that have died
If I never loved, I never would have cried
I am a rock
I am an island
I have my books and my poetry to protect me
I am shielded in my armor
Hiding in my room
Safe within my womb
I touch no one and no one touches me
I am a rock
I am an island
And a rock feels no pain
And an island never cries
(from Simon and Garfunkel’s 1966 album Sounds of Silence)
Being our own rock may work for a season, but in spite of our efforts to
seclude ourselves from stress and pain, to constructa “fortress steepand
mighty” within which we hope to be safe, the reality of course is that
eventually we do feel pain, eventually we do cry.

Eventually eachof us needs the Lord to be our rock.
Eventually eachof us needs to be led to “the rock that is higher than I.”
The goodnews of the gospelis that just like God met the Israelites in the
wilderness in a time of greatstress, the Lord meets us in the very midst of the
seasonsofgreateststress inour lives—and the Lord declares his “almighty
powerchiefly in showing mercy and pity” to us.
And because ofthe grace ofGod we can trust the rock of our salvation.
In his book Ruthless Trust Brennan Manning lucidly describes whatthis trust
looks like:
“Thoughwe often disregardour need for an unfaltering trust in the love of
God, that need is the most urgent we have. It is the remedy for much of our
sickness, melancholy, and self-hatred. The heart convertedfrom mistrust to
trust in the irreversible forgiveness ofJesus Christ is redeemedfrom the
corrosive powerof fear. The decisive…conversionfrom mistrust to trust…is
the moment of sovereigndeliverance from the warehouse ofworry” (7).
About twenty years ago I led a youth group trip to WestVirginia for a week
of mountain biking, hiking, whitewaterrafting, caving (spelunking), and the
like. One afternoon we went rappelling. We hiked up the backside of a
mountain to the top of a cliff, and one at a time eachof us was securedto the
rope, donned our plastic helmet, and slowlystepped backwards overthe edge
of the cliff while holding onto the rope as we scaleddown.
Eachof us experiencedthat specific moment when you take that one step
backwards overnothing, and all your trust is in the rope to which you are
secured. Some of us, while thinking we would be fine, were literally shaking
when that moment came. For some of us, that moment was very stressful, but
for all of us the rope proved trustworthy.
What about you today?
Perhaps some of you are somehow stressedto the breaking point or stuck in
“the warehouse ofworry” or feel like you are being forcedto stepbackwards
over nothing—and in response perhaps you have tried to be your own rock.

How is that working for you?
The goodnews is that the story of God providing water for the Israelites out
of the rock points us to the Rock of our salvation, Jesus Christ, as the Apostle
Paul tells us, “Theydrank from the spiritual rock that followedthem, and the
rock was Christ” (1 Corinthians 10:4).
Jesus is your rock.
And in his death on the cross, anevent that some would metaphorically
consideras a meaningless foul ball, Jesus actuallyprovided for all of us in an
unexpected way.
On the cross Jesus your rock felt pain and cried.
On the cross Jesus your rock was struck and out of his side flowedblood
and…water—watergushing up to eternal life (John 19:34 and 4:14).
On the cross Jesus your rock demonstratedhis “almighty power chiefly in
showing mercy and pity” to you.
And Jesus your rock is trustworthy.
Amen. http://christchurchvaldosta.org/sermon-jesus-rock-september-28-2014/
AND THAT ROCKWAS CHRIST
Dr. W. A. Criswell
10-23-55 10:50 a.m.

You are listening to the services ofthe First Baptist Church in downtown
Dallas. And this is the pastor bringing the morning messagein the tenth
chapter of the first Corinthian letter. And you may follow it in your Bible as
we break for our souls the manna of heaven, the bread of life, the first
Corinthian letter. LastSunday we left off with the last verse of the ninth
Chapter. And, today, at this morning hour we begin with the first verse of the
tenth chapter,
Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be without knowledge, how
that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passedthrough the sea;
And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea;
And did all eatthe same spiritual meat;
And did all drink the same spiritual drink; for they drank of that spiritual
rock that followedthem: And That Rock Was Christ.
That’s our passageand our text. The whole pericope, the whole cut out
section, would be from 1 Corinthians 9:24 through 10:13. That’s the section
there if you put it all together. And in that sectionPaul is writing to the
church at Corinth saying that it is possible for them to fall even though they
are Christians.
He uses two illustrations and they are terrifying. The first one is himself.
Starting there at the ninth chapter, look at the ending of that chapter, the
twenty-seventh verse, he says,
I must keepunder my body in self-controland in discipline lest, even I, having
preachedthe gospelto others and having, in the powerof God, performed
miracles, lesteven I should be a castaway.

Not that his soul would be damned, but his life bespoiled, and his life ruined,
and his ministry made derelictand worthless. There’s a little saying, a
quotation, "What shall the lamb do if the ram trembles?" If it were possible
even for Paul to become a castawayin his life, what of us in our lives? That’s
his first one.
And his secondone is that, even the fathers of Israel, with all of their
privileges, they fell. They were denied entrance into the Promised Land.
They sinned awaythe opportunities in the wilderness.
Now, I’m not preaching of that this morning. That’s the passage, Ispake of
that last Sunday. Today, I want to take the illustration that he uses of the
fathers, and you will see in it that he is depicting here a privilege of the
fathers, the fathers of Israel. And he says that is a type of the privilege that
you have as Christians in the church of God. So, he begins,
Brethren, I would like to call to your attention by way of remembrance, could
I say, that our fathers were under the cloud, passedthrough the sea, all
baptized under Mosesin the cloud and in the sea.
He finds in that story of the children of Israel, being pressedagainstthe Red
Sea by Pharaoh’s army when Moses was leading them out of the land of
Egypt, he finds in that incident a type, a parable, a picture of the ordinance of
baptism. "They were all baptized," he says, Paulsays.
And he gets that picture from this. The cloud of the Lord was overthem, and
they themselves were in the midst of the sea, and his picture is that submerged
in the element of water, the cloud of waterabove them, the greatwall of the
sea around them, they were all submerged in the element of water and were
baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea. Thatis, they were baptized
into the fellowship, a redeemedpeople of Moses,and as such, were calledof
God to follow Mosesas their God-given leader. It was a commitment on their
part to the leadershipof God’s man, Moses.
Now, he says, that that is a picture of baptism. They were baptized in the
cloud and in the sea. Then, he finds also a picture of the Lord’s Supper back

there among the fathers. Now, "theydid all eat the same spiritual meat and
did all drink the same spiritual drink." He finds back there in the story of the
fathers, he finds a type, an analogyof the Lord’s Supper: breaking bread and
eating and drinking of the fruit of the vine. He finds an analogyback there.
He says that this manna that they ate was spiritual food, God-given food. The
seventy-eighth chapter of the Book of Psalms, twenty-fourth, twenty-fifth
verses calls it "bread of heaven", and, in the next verse, "angel’s food." They
did all eat the same spiritual meat. They ate manna and did all drink the
same spiritual drink. For he says, "Theydrank of that spiritual rock that
followedthem and that rock was Christ." He says that there is a picture back
there of those two ordinances.
And could I, incidentally, saythis is the only place in the Bible where the two
ordinances are mentioned together? And could I also make this addendum:
there are just two; there are not three; there are not four; there is not one;
there are two ordinances and only two. And they’re put, here, togetherin the
baptism in the Red Sea, a picture of the baptism of the Christian in the
Corinthian church, and in the eating of the manna and in the drinking of the
rock a picture of the Lord’s Supper, which is an ordinance of the Christian
people in the Corinthian church. Now, he uses those two as a type of the great
privileges of the fathers. And he uses it as the type of the greatprivileges of
the Christians in the church of the Lord.
Now, I want to take from that. I want to take from that his observation.
"They all did drink the same spiritual drink, for they drank of that spiritual
rock that followedthem And that rock was Christ." Whereverthey
journeyed in the wilderness there was the supply of water flowing freely, fully,
and they drank of that rock, And, he says, that rock was Christ.
Now, the first thing that you will see in that is the tense of the verb. that rock
was Christ. He means by that that the source of the feeding and the caring for
and the sustenance ofthe people of God was the Lord Jesus Christ. The rock
out of which they drank was Christ. He believed then in the pre-existence of
the Sonof God. He believed that that glorious Lord who guided those people

through the wilderness, who sustainedthem and blessed them, that Lord was
Jesus the Christ. that rock was Christ.
Now, sometimes I have the hardest time trying to leave out, leave out, leave
out in order to encompass in a little moment of time these things of the Book.
But I thought this morning, "I’m not going to leave this out." I want to show
you how you can read the Bible, how to interpret the Word of God. I say, I
said a while ago, I said that Paul meant that it was Christ Himself who was the
source of that spiritual drink and that spiritual food that sustainedthe fathers
in the wilderness because ofthe tense of the verb that he used, And that rock
was Christ.
Now, had Paul said and that rock is Christ, he would have meant by it that the
rock typifies Christ. It is an allegory. It is a parable. But, when he says, "The
rock was Christ," he means that the pre-existent Lord, the Savior, was back
there guiding and sustaining His people.
Well, you look at this just for a minute as we learn to read the Book.
Whenever a thing back yonder is used, is described in the present tense, why,
it means it is a type. It’s not the actualthing. It is a type. For example, in the
fourth chapterof the Book of Galatians, Paulsays that Sarah and Hagarare
the two covenants, the Old Covenantand the New. And he uses the word
present tense "are" and "is." Look here, in Galatians 4:24 and following,
Which things are an allegory;for these are the two covenants;the one from
Mount Sinai which gendereth to bondage, which is Hagar.
For this Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia.
Now, a womanis not a mountain. But, you see, in doing types, allegory,
parable, you use the word in the present tense,

This Hagaris Mount Sinai in Arabia, and answerethto Jerusalem, whichnow
is
But Jerusalemwhich is above is free, which is the mother of us all, and so on.
Now, may I take another one? You take Jesus’interpretation of the parables
in the thirteenth chapter of Matthew. Now, look at Him, as He will interpret a
parable. Look at the tense of His verbs. Now, He’s going to interpret the
parable of the sower. Now,in the nineteenth verse, "The sowerwentout to
sow." "This is he which receivedby the wayside." Now,then, the stony place,
"The same is he that heareththe word." Now, the twenty-secondverse, the
one among thorns.
He also that receives seedamong the thorns is he that heareth the word and
the care of the world, takes it away.
But he that receives seedinto goodground is he that heareth the word,.
Turn in your thirteenth chapter as He explains the parable of the tares.
Listen to Him, "He that soweththe goodseedis the Son of Man." "The field is
the world," that is, it represents;it’s a type; it’s a parable of. The goodseed
are the children of the kingdom. The tares are of the children of the wicked
one. Then the one that sowedthem is the devil. The harvest is the end of the
world and the reapers are the angels.
What I’m trying to sayis that, whenever, in the Bible, they are speaking of
types and parables, they use the present tense. Forexample, something comes
into my mind, When Josephinterpreted the dreams of Pharaohhe said, "the
sevenlean kind are sevenyears of famine, the sevenfat kind, the sevenfat
cattle, are the sevenyears of plenty. The withered stalks ofcorn are seven
years of famine and the fat years are the sevenyears of plenty" [Genesis
41:25-27]. So, wheneverHe speaks ofa type, of a parabolic presentation, He
will use the word is. That’s true all through the Bible.

But, when I turn to my text, you look at this, he doesn’t say that. They all did
drink of that spiritual drink back there. Theydrank of that rock that
followedthem and that rock was Christ! That rock was Christ! Not is! It is
typified, is a parable of, symbolic of. But, no, that rock was Christ. The
source of the feeding of the people and the sustaining of the people and the
caring of the people was the Son of God.
Now, if I had about an hour, why, we’d go back there. But, we’re going to
take what time is left and we’re going to read that story and look at that rock.
It’s in the seventeenthchapter of the Book of Exodus. And it’s the rock of
Rephidim. And this is the story.
And all the congregationof the children of Israel journeyed from the
Wilderness of Sin, after their journeys, according to the commandment of the
Lord, they pitched their tents in Rephidim: and there was no waterfor the
people to drink. Exodus 17.
Wherefore the people did chide with Moses, and said, Give us water that we
may drink. And Moses saidunto them, Why chide you with me? wherefore
do you tempt the Lord?" as though the Lord was not going to remember.
And the people thirsted there for water;and the people murmured against
Moses,and said, Why brought you us up out of Egypt, to kill us and our
children and our cattle with thirst?
And Moses criedunto the Lord, saying, What shall I do? What shall I do, for
they be almost ready to kill me, to stone me?
And the Lord saidunto Moses, Go on before the people, and take with thee of
the elders of Israel; and thy rod, wherewith thou smotestthe 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 Mosesdid so in the sight of the elders of Israel.

And he called the name of the place Meribah, because ofthe chiding of the
children of Israel, and because they tempted the Lord, saying, Is the Lord
among us, or not?
Now, that’s the story. Now, the Lord Christ was there, Paul says, and was the
source of that waterof which those people did drink.
So, let’s look at this Christ, the rock. Firstof all, it says here they were in that
burning and pitiless desert, rock burning sand. Rephidim is a little plain, a
flat, level place in a whole world of barren and burning rock and the great
plains of Horeb, of which Mount Sinai is one piece, the great plains of Horeb
are all around. And when you look at those people gatheredthere in the arm
of that burning desert, Arabian sun, and those people are dying of thirst. You
look upon them and upon the rocks and the mountains and burning sand, and
you say, "Could even God Himself find a flood out of the sand that burns and
out of these adamantine mountains?" But, in those rocks and in that burning
sand and in that great, greatdesertthere is a flood. There is the presence of
Christ the Son of God.
And that is true with the Son of God today. In His generationthey looked
upon Him and said, "This man, Jesus of Nazareth, why, we knew His father,
the carpenter, and we have takenyokes to Him and He’s made them and
fashionedthem for us. And His mother is right here. And there are His
sisters and here are His brothers. How could He be the Sonof God?"
And even in our own generation, allof you who have been to Palestine can
look at those places, where they say, "This is where He was born and this is
where He was rearedand this is where His shop was and these are the roads
that He walked." You canlook at that barren and burning and blistered and
desertland and say, "Out of this country and out of these people and out of
this humble man, how could there come living water, living rivers of waterto
feed and to care and to sustainthe thirstings of all of the generations ofman?"

But, it’s God. It’s God. And the waterthat burst forth in Rephidim is from
our Savior. And from Him come those floods of water today and it is
miraculous. It’s marvelous in our sight.
Look againhere. Look againhere. And the rock must be smitten. "Thou
shalt smite the rock" [Exodus 17:6]. We are savedby the smiting of the Son
of God. "The Lord lookedupon Him smitten of Godand afflicted" [Isaiah
53:4]. "It pleasedthe Lord to bruise Him" [Isaiah53:10]. By his staff are we
saved. It is the smitten rock. It is the cleft rock. It is the rock that is struck
that becomes the source of the spiritual saving of the people of God.
Back yonder, all of those old patriarchs and those old saints and those fathers
who went up in the glory, they were savedby looking towardthe smitten Lord
Jesus. "Abrahamrejoicedto see His day and he saw it and was glad" [John
8:56]. And all of us are savedby looking back to the smitten rock:the Lord
Jesus Christ. We are saved by His death. We are healed by His stripes.
Had the Lord remained on His throne in glory, He would never have been our
Savior. That exalted head could not save apart from the pierced throne-
crownedbrow. That hand that held the scepterand that holds the seven stars
could never save us were it not nailed to the Cross. And that glorious body,
clothed in the clouds of heaven, the shekinah glory of God could never have
been our Saviorhad it not been submitted to the ignominious shame of being
nakedand broken and nailed to the tree. We are saved by the smitten rock.
We are saved by the sufferings of the Son of God.
Look again, "Thou shalt take thy rod with thee and smite the rock." He is
smitten by the rod of the lawgiver. Who killed the Lord Jesus Christ? All the
Jews draggedHim to trial and the Gentiles procuratorcondemned Him to
death. And these solders of Romanlegionnaires slew Him on the Cross.
Nay, the Son of God was struck and He was smitten and He suffered under
the legalhands of Almighty God! "It pleasedthe Father to bruise Him"
[Isaiah 53:10]. He made His soul an offering for our sins. It was the Lord
God, says Paulin the eighth chapter of the Book of Romans, "it was God who
freely gave up His Son for us all. And who freely, through Him, will give us
all things." [Romans 8:32] It was not Herod. It was not Pilate. It was not

Annas. It was not Caiaphas. It was not Judas. Finally, it was the rod of the
greatlawgiverthat slew our Lord and our Savior. And we are savednot only
by the scourging of the whip, by the pressing of the crownof thorns on His
brow and by the nails in His hands, but, we are saved also by the pouring out
of His soul unto death when He cried: "My Father, my God, why hath Thou
forsakenMe?" [Mark 15:34]
The smitten rock with the rod of the lawgiver, He died for our sin in our
stead. We have broken the law. We are subjectunto death, and He received
that penalty, that smiting in our stead. It is the smitten rock, it is the smitten
rock that yields spiritual power and sustenance and saving for the people of
God.
Look again, it was public, "And the Lord said unto Moses, Go before the
people, and take with thee of the elders of Israel." The rock was smitten
openly and publicly, before all of the people, as they lookedupon it, and
before the chosenleaders of Israel, as they watchedit publicly, offeredup,
publicly.
One of the most eloquent things in the Bible is in the twenty-sixth chapter of
the Book, ofthe Book of Acts, where Paul is pleading the gospelof Christ
before Festus, procuratorof Judea, and Herod Agrippa, who is the king of all
the country round about. And while he is pleading the name of Christ, Festus
speaks up and said, "Paul, Paul, thou art mad. Much learning doth make
thee mad." And Paul replied, "I am not mad, most noble Festus, but speak
words of truth and soberness.
And the king here, King Agrippa, he knows of the truth of these things of
which I speak, for they are not hidden from them. For this thing was not done
in a corner. It was done openly." Christ was made a spectacle before the
world, before the eyes of all who cared to see that awful shame and that day of
sorrow and darkness. He was crucified on a little summit calledGolgotha,
just outside the Damascus Gate.
And the Sanhedrin was there, and the elders were there, and the priests were
there, and the rich man was there, and the poor man was there, and the thief
was there, and the sojournerwas there. It took place during the days of the

Passover. And the Edomites were there, and the Parthians and the Greeks
and the Romans and the dwellers of Mesopotamia. The whole worldwas
there, looking upon the smiting of the Son of God by the rock, by the rod of
the lawgiver. It was done openly and publicly. There He died, raised between
the earth and the sky.
And Deity was there. "And I will stand before Thee, there, upon Horeb"
[Exodus 17:6]. The greatGod and Father who guides the destiny of this
world, He was there looking upon it all, seeing it all. The Lord was there. The
sun was cloudedin darkness and refused to shine. And the rocks were red.
And the graves were open. And God saves a world from the dead. And a veil
was rent in twain, and the multitude was terrified.
God was there overlooking it all. "Behold, I will stand before thee, there upon
the rock in Horeb. Thou shalt smite it with thy rod and water shall come out
of it. Water, waterof life that the people may drink. And that rock was
Christ. And the water that came out is for the spiritual feeding and
nourishing of God’s people in the earth.
Paul, referring to it here in 1 Corinthians, said, "Theydid all drink the same
spiritual drink; for they drank of that spiritual rock that followedthem; And
that rock was Christ." There was an ever-flowing stream. It didn’t abate. It
didn’t wane. Whereverthey journeyed, there was that river in the desert,
fresh and cool, sparkling and clear, the reviving of the soul and of the body,
waterenough. The water of life, And that rock was Christ.
So it is that the flow has continued ever since, and foreverwill. In our ten
thousand journeys, in our wandering through the sea and through the desert,
there does Christ accompanyus, always present, our strength and our
comfort. "Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will
fear no evil: for Thou art with me; Thy rod and Thy staff, they comfort me."
[Psalm 23:4] They drank of that spiritual rock that followedthem And that
rock was Christ. "The same yesterdayand today and forever," the source of
our spiritual hope and our glorious incomparable salvation.
While we sing our song of invitation this morning, somebodyyou, somebody
you to give your heart to the Lord, to put your life in His church, to drink of

that Spiritual Rock and to feed upon that Spiritual Manna. While we sing this
appeal this day this morning, this gracious hour of grace, wouldyou come?
Make it now.
On the radio, where you, where you sit to listen today, if you would give your
heart to Christ, kneeldown by your chair and tell the Lord this day, this hour,
"I take the Lord as my own Savior." Looking onthe service on television, if
you’ve never yielded your heart to Christ, look to Him now. Look and live.
The source of all spiritual blessings, the fountain head of the cleansing ofour
sins, the washing awayof our iniquities, the hope of somedayseeing God face
to face, without stain, without blemish, for He is our salvationand our hope.

Jesus was the rock

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Jesus was the rock