Topical Encyclopedia The miraculous provision of water from a rock is a significant event in the biblical narrative, demonstrating God's providence and power in sustaining His people. This miracle is recorded in two primary instances during the Israelites' journey through the wilderness after their exodus from Egypt.1. Rephidim (Exodus 17:1-7): The first occurrence of water being brought from a rock is found in Exodus 17. The Israelites, having departed from the Desert of Sin, camped at Rephidim, where there was no water for the people to drink. The people quarreled with Moses, expressing their fear and desperation, and accused him of bringing them out of Egypt to die of thirst. Moses cried out to the LORD, fearing for his life due to the people's anger. The LORD instructed Moses to take some of the elders of Israel and his staff, with which he had struck the Nile, and go to the rock at Horeb. God promised to stand before Moses on the rock, and Moses was to strike the rock, resulting in water flowing out for the people to drink. Moses obeyed, and water gushed forth, providing for the needs of the Israelites. This place was named Massah (testing) and Meribah (quarreling) because of the Israelites' contentious behavior and their testing of the LORD, saying, "Is the LORD among us or not?" (Exodus 17:7). 2. Kadesh (Numbers 20:1-13): The second instance occurred at Kadesh in the Desert of Zin, during the later stages of the Israelites' wanderings. The community again faced a lack of water, and they gathered in opposition to Moses and Aaron, lamenting their situation and expressing regret for leaving Egypt. The LORD instructed Moses to take the staff and, along with Aaron, gather the assembly. God commanded Moses to speak to the rock before their eyes, and it would yield its water. However, in a moment of frustration, Moses struck the rock twice with his staff instead of speaking to it as commanded. Water still gushed out abundantly, enough for the congregation and their livestock. Despite the provision, Moses' disobedience in not upholding God's holiness before the people resulted in severe consequences. The LORD declared that Moses and Aaron would not lead the assembly into the Promised Land because they did not trust Him enough to honor Him as holy (Numbers 20:12). This place was also called Meribah, reflecting the Israelites' quarreling and the LORD's demonstration of His holiness. These miracles of water from the rock highlight God's faithfulness in providing for His people despite their complaints and lack of faith. They also underscore the importance of obedience and reverence for God's commands, as seen in the consequences faced by Moses and Aaron. The events serve as a testament to God's power and a reminder of the need for trust and obedience in the life of faith. Torrey's Topical Textbook Exodus 17:6Behold, I will stand before you there on the rock in Horeb; and you shall smite the rock, and there shall come water out of it, that the people may drink. And Moses did so in the sight of the elders of Israel. Torrey's Topical Textbook Numbers 20:11 Library The Death and the Raising of Lazarus - the Question of Miracles ... The Government of Nature. The Great Teacher The Life of Christ. A Psalm of Remembrance Perseverance Proved. Jesus at the Well of Sychar The Cavils of the Pharisees Concerning Purification, and the ... Covenanting Provided for in the Everlasting Covenant. Translated from the Greek. Resources What is the water of life? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the meaning of bitter water in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org What does it mean to be born of water? | GotQuestions.org Water: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Water in Times of Scarcity, Sold at an Enormous Price Water of Bitterness or of Jealousy Water of Separation or of Uncleanness Water of the Gifts and Graces of the Holy Spirit Water was Used by Jews for Culinary Purposes Water was Used by Jews for Legal Purification Water was Used by Jews for Washing the Person Water was Used by Jews: As Their Principal Beverage Water: (Covering the Sea) of the General Diffusion of The Water: (Deep) of Counsel in the Heart Water: (Deep) of Severe Affliction Water: (Deep) of the Words of the Wise Water: (Difficulty of Stopping) of Strife and Contention Water: (Its Instability) of a Wavering Disposition Water: (Its Weakness) of Faintness and Cowardice Water: (Many) of a Variety of Afflictions Water: (Many) of Different Nations and People Water: (Noise of Many) of the Word of Christ Water: (Poured Out) Faintness by Terror Water: (Poured Out) the Wrath of God Water: (Pouring, out of Buckets) a Numerous Progeny Water: (Rapidly Flowing Away) the Career of the Wicked Water: (Spilled on the Ground) Death Water: (Still) the Ordinances of the Gospel Water: Artificial Mode of Conveying, Into Large Cities Water: Collected in The Clouds Water: Covered the Whole Earth Water: Drops from the Clouds in Rain Water: Frequently Brackish and Unfit for Use Water: God Originally: Collected Into One Place Water: God Originally: Created Fowls and Fishes From Water: God Originally: Created the Firmament to Divide Water: Kept for Purification in Large Waterpots Water: Miracles Connected With: Brought from the Jaw-Bone of an Ass Water: Miracles Connected With: Brought from the Rock Water: Miracles Connected With: Consumed by Fire from Heaven Water: Miracles Connected With: Divided and Made to Stand on Heap Water: Miracles Connected With: Healing Powers Communicated To Water: Miracles Connected With: Iron Made to Swim In Water: Miracles Connected With: Our Lord Walking On Water: Miracles Connected With: Trenches Filled With Water: Miracles Connected With: Turned Into Blood Water: Miracles Connected With: Turned Into Wine Water: Miraculously Supplied: To Jehoshaphat's Army Water: Miraculously Supplied: To Samson Water: Miraculously Supplied: To the Israelites Water: Necessary to the Comfort and Happiness of Man Water: Necessary to Vegetation Water: One of the Elements of the World Water: Rises in Vapour to the Clouds Water: some Plants Particularly Require Water: The Want of, Considered a Great Calamity Water: The World and Its Inhabitants Once Destroyed By Water: The World not to be Again Destroyed By Water: Wearing the Hardest Substances Related Terms Water-springs (12 Occurrences) |
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