A Great Mystery Revealed in the Rod and Rock

One of the main mysteries of God to Westerners is His use of types and figures to unfold truth. In our U.S. culture, we say it straight. But God orchestrated the events of time to picture what was to come. In plain Christian terms, much of the Old Testament is prophetic, and when fully grasped, we see that it pictures not only what is yet to happen, but what happened in Christ’s life on earth.

After his resurrection, Jesus himself explained some of it to the two guys on the road to Emmaus. “And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.” (Luke 24:27)

For the past four blog posts, we have been looking at that rod in Exodus and discovered that it represents Christ. It may have even been one of the things Jesus explained to the guys on the road to Emmaus.

In Exodus 17:5-6 the rod, still representing Christ, crosses paths with the rock from which sprung drinking water for the complaining Israelites. If there is a picture of Christ in the Old Testament that many Christians already grasp, it’s that rock.

Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner,  And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed. (1 Peter 2:7-8)

Now, here is the interesting passage in Exodus where the rod (Christ) is used to get water out of the rock (also Christ):

And the LORD said unto Moses, Go on before the people, and take with thee of the elders of Israel; and thy rod, wherewith thou smotest the 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 Moses did so in the sight of the elders of Israel. (Exodus 17:5-6)

God’s way to get water out of that rock was to “smite” it.  That means to hit or beat it. And that’s what happened to Christ.

Then did they spit in his face, and buffeted him; and others smote him with the palms of their hands. (Matthew 26:67)

Here is the question. If Christ is the rod and Christ is also the rock, why was it required in the Exodus passage that Christ smite Christ in order for the water to come out?

The answer to that amplifies a truth about Christ you already know. See if this passage doesn’t look a whole lot brighter now:

As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep. …  Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again.  No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father. (John 10:15-18)

And so, let’s think this through a little further. Who killed Jesus? It’s the one question that divides Christians and Jews. It even divides and offends Christians and saved Jews.

The question may even offend Christ, because he laid down his life willingly. No one took it from him.

In fact, those who sanctimoniously say they killed Jesus or that their sin was responsible for his death are not so accurate. Let’s not take credit for something that Christ did himself in obedience to God’s command for him.

Stay tuned for more lessons on the rod as Christ. It’s a fascinating study.

Jody