They did not thirst when He led them through the deserts; He made water flow for them from the rock; He split the rock, and water gushed out. They did not thirst when He led them through the deserts;This phrase recalls the Israelites' journey through the wilderness after their exodus from Egypt. Despite the harsh conditions, God provided for their needs, ensuring they did not suffer from thirst. This divine provision is a testament to God's faithfulness and care for His people. The desert symbolizes a place of testing and reliance on God, where human resources are insufficient, and divine intervention is necessary. This also serves as a reminder of God's guidance and protection, emphasizing His role as a shepherd leading His flock. He made water flow for them from the rock;
This refers to the miraculous provision of water from a rock at Horeb, as recorded in Exodus 17:6 and Numbers 20:11. In a barren land where water is scarce, this miracle underscores God's power over nature and His ability to provide for His people's needs in seemingly impossible situations. The rock is often seen as a type of Christ, who provides living water to those who believe in Him, as mentioned in 1 Corinthians 10:4, where Paul identifies the rock as Christ. He split the rock, and water gushed out.
The act of splitting the rock signifies God's direct intervention in the natural world to sustain His people. The gushing water symbolizes abundance and the overflowing grace of God. This event is a powerful image of God's provision and is often seen as a foreshadowing of the spiritual sustenance provided through Jesus Christ. The imagery of water flowing from the rock is echoed in John 7:37-39, where Jesus speaks of the living water of the Holy Spirit, highlighting the continuity of God's provision from the Old Testament to the New Testament. Persons / Places / Events 1. The IsraelitesThe chosen people of God, who were led out of Egypt and through the wilderness. 2. The DesertRepresents the challenging and barren places in life where resources are scarce. 3. The RockSymbolizes God's provision and strength, from which life-sustaining water flowed. 4. MosesThe leader of the Israelites who, by God's command, struck the rock to bring forth water. 5. God's ProvisionThe miraculous act of providing water in the desert, demonstrating God's care and power. Teaching Points God's Faithfulness in ProvisionGod provides for His people even in the most barren and challenging circumstances. Trust in His provision, knowing He can bring forth sustenance from unexpected places. The Symbolism of the RockThe rock is a powerful symbol of Christ, our spiritual rock, who provides living water. Reflect on how Christ sustains us spiritually as the rock sustained the Israelites physically. Dependence on God in Deserts of LifeJust as the Israelites depended on God for water in the desert, we must depend on Him in our life's deserts. Seek His guidance and provision in times of need. Obedience and TrustMoses' obedience in striking the rock as God commanded is a lesson in trusting God's instructions. Consider how obedience to God can lead to blessings and provision. God's Miraculous PowerRecognize and remember God's ability to perform miracles. This encourages faith and reliance on His power in our daily lives. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the provision of water from the rock in the desert illustrate God's faithfulness to the Israelites, and how can this encourage us in our current life situations? 2. In what ways does the rock symbolize Christ, and how does this connection deepen our understanding of God's provision? 3. Reflect on a "desert" experience in your life. How did you see God's provision during that time, and what can you learn from it? 4. How can we cultivate a heart of obedience and trust in God, similar to Moses, in our daily walk with Him? 5. What are some practical ways we can remind ourselves of God's miraculous power and faithfulness in our lives today? Connections to Other Scriptures Exodus 17:6This passage describes the event where Moses struck the rock at Horeb, and water came out for the people to drink, directly correlating with Isaiah 48:21. Numbers 20:11Another instance where Moses brought water from the rock, highlighting God's continued provision despite the Israelites' disobedience. 1 Corinthians 10:4Paul refers to the spiritual rock that followed the Israelites, identifying it with Christ, thus connecting the Old Testament provision with New Testament revelation. Psalm 78:15-16This psalm recounts God's miraculous provision of water from the rock, emphasizing His faithfulness and power. People Babylonians, Isaiah, JacobPlaces Babylon, ChaldeaTopics Caused, Clave, Cleaved, Cleaveth, Cleft, Deserts, Didn't, Flow, Flowing, Forth, Guiding, Gushed, Lands, Led, Parted, Places, Rock, Split, Thirst, Thirsted, Waste, Waters, YeaDictionary of Bible Themes Isaiah 48:21 4354 rock
5580 thirst Isaiah 48:20-21 4816 drought, physical Library A River of Peace and Waves of Righteousness
'Oh that thou hadst hearkened to My commandments! then had thy peace been as a river, and thy righteousness as the waves of the sea.'-- ISAIAH xlviii. 18. I. The Wonderful Thought of God here. This is an exclamation of disappointment; of thwarted love. The good which He purposed has been missed by man's fault, and He regards the faulty Israel with sorrow and pity as a would-be benefactor balked of a kind intention might do. O Jerusalem! 'how often would I have gathered thee.' 'If thou hadst known …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy ScriptureGod's People in the Furnace
And the first observation I shall make will be this: all persons in the furnace of affliction are not chosen. The text says, "I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction," and it implies that there may be, and there doubtless are, some in the furnace who are not chosen. How many persons there are who suppose that because they are tried, afflicted, and tempted, therefore they are the children of God, whereas they are no such thing. It is a great truth that every child of God is afflicted; but …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 1: 1855 Mercy's Master Motive
We shall now use the text as an illustration of divine love in other cases, for from one deed of grace we may learn all. As God dealt with his people Israel after the flesh, in the same manner he dealeth with his people Israel after the spirit; and his mercies towards his saints are to be seen as in a mirror in his wondrous lovingkindness towards the seed of Abraham. I shall take the text to illustrate--first, the conversion of the sinner; and secondly, the reclaiming of the backslider; and I pray, …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 18: 1872 "Thou Shall Keep Him in Perfect Peace, Whose Mind is Stayed on Thee, Because He Trusteth in Thee. "
Isaiah xxvi. 3.--"Thou shall keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee, because he trusteth in thee." Christ hath left us his peace, as the great and comprehensive legacy, "My peace I leave you," John xiv. 27. And this was not peace in the world that he enjoyed; you know what his life was, a continual warfare; but a peace above the world, that passeth understanding. "In the world you shall have trouble, but in me you shall have peace," saith Christ,--a peace that shall make trouble …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning Peace in the Soul
Peace I leave with you: my peace I give unto you.--ST. JOHN 14:27. Peace is one of the great words of the Holy Scriptures. It is woven through the Old Testament and the New like a golden thread. It inheres and abides in the character of God,-- "The central peace subsisting at the heart Of endless agitation." It is the deepest and most universal desire of man, whose prayer in all ages has been, "Grant us Thy Peace, O Lord." It is the reward of the righteous, the blessing of the good, the crown …
Henry Van Dyke—What Peace Means After the Scripture.
"In the day that God created man, in the likeness of God created He him."--Gen. v. 1. In the preceding pages we have shown that the translation, "in Our image," actually means, "after Our image." To make anything in an image is no language; it is unthinkable, logically untrue. We now proceed to show how it should be translated, and give our reason for it. We begin with citing some passages from the Old Testament in which occurs the preposition "B" which, in Gen. i. 27, stands before image, where …
Abraham Kuyper—The Work of the Holy Spirit Man's Chief End
Q-I: WHAT IS THE CHIEF END OF MAN? A: Man's chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy him for ever. Here are two ends of life specified. 1: The glorifying of God. 2: The enjoying of God. I. The glorifying of God, I Pet 4:4: That God in all things may be glorified.' The glory of God is a silver thread which must run through all our actions. I Cor 10:01. Whether therefore ye eat or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.' Everything works to some end in things natural and artificial; …
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity Christ's Prophetic Office
'The Lord thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet,' &c. Deut 18:85. Having spoken of the person of Christ, we are next to speak of the offices of Christ. These are Prophetic, Priestly, and Regal. 'The Lord thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet.' Enunciatur hic locus de Christo. It is spoken of Christ.' There are several names given to Christ as a Prophet. He is called the Counsellor' in Isa 9:9. In uno Christo Angelus foederis completur [The Messenger of the Covenant appears in Christ alone]. …
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity Gifts Received for the Rebellious
Thou hast ascended on high, thou hast led captivity captive: Thou hast received gifts for men; yea, for the rebellious also, that the LORD God might dwell among them. W hen Joseph exchanged a prison for the chief honour and government of Egypt, the advantage of his exaltation was felt by those who little deserved it (Genesis 45:4, 5) . His brethren hated him, and had conspired to kill him. And though he was preserved from death, they were permitted to sell him for a bond-servant. He owed his servitude, …
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 2 "Thou Shall Keep Him in Perfect Peace, Whose Mind is Stayed on Thee, Because He Trusteth in Thee. "
Isaiah xxvi. 3.--"Thou shall keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee, because he trusteth in thee." All men love to have privileges above others. Every one is upon the design and search after some well-being, since Adam lost that which was true happiness. We all agree upon the general notion of it, but presently men divide in the following of particulars. Here all men are united in seeking after some good; something to satisfy their souls, and satiate their desires. Nay, but they …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning Extent of Atonement.
VI. For whose benefit the atonement was intended. 1. God does all things for himself; that is, he consults his own glory and happiness, as the supreme and most influential reason for all his conduct. This is wise and right in him, because his own glory and happiness are infinitely the greatest good in and to the universe. He made the atonement to satisfy himself. "God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." …
Charles Grandison Finney—Systematic Theology Blasphemous Accusations of the Jews.
(Galilee.) ^A Matt. XII. 22-37; ^B Mark III. 19-30; ^C Luke XI. 14-23. ^b 19 And he cometh into a house. [Whose house is not stated.] 20 And the multitude cometh together again [as on a previous occasion--Mark ii. 1], so that they could not so much as eat bread. [They could not sit down to a regular meal. A wonderful picture of the intense importunity of people and the corresponding eagerness of Jesus, who was as willing to do as they were to have done.] 21 And when his friends heard it, they went …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel Isaiah
CHAPTERS I-XXXIX Isaiah is the most regal of the prophets. His words and thoughts are those of a man whose eyes had seen the King, vi. 5. The times in which he lived were big with political problems, which he met as a statesman who saw the large meaning of events, and as a prophet who read a divine purpose in history. Unlike his younger contemporary Micah, he was, in all probability, an aristocrat; and during his long ministry (740-701 B.C., possibly, but not probably later) he bore testimony, as …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Isaiah 48:21 NIVIsaiah 48:21 NLTIsaiah 48:21 ESVIsaiah 48:21 NASBIsaiah 48:21 KJV
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