14 day plan

If rocks could talk, if stones could speak...

Day 9 of 14

NIV

1 Corinthians 10:1, 5-6 

"For I do not want you to be ignorant of the fact, brothers and sisters, that our ancestors…drank from the spiritual rock that accompanied them, and that rock was Christ. Nevertheless, God was not pleased with most of them; their bodies were scattered in the wilderness. Now these things occurred as examples to keep us from setting our hearts on evil things as they did." 1 Corinthians 10:1, 5-6, NIV   

Reflection: Christ the Rock 

The Lord answered Moses, “Go out in front of the people. Take with you some of the elders of Israel and take in your hand the staff with which you struck the Nile, and go. 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.” (Exodus 17:5-6) 

 The richest rock metaphor in the Bible is God our Rock. As a pupil of his word, you had to see that one coming. But not so the rescued Israelite mob in their miserable wilderness wandering. No shortage of rock reminders all around them there. And yet it was their very disbelief in God as their steady, strong, protective and providing rock that kept them there for 40 long years.  

I imagine it must be at least a little bit fun for God to reveal himself to us in ways that make sense. Poets, artists, preachers, philosophers, star-gazers…are always on the lookout for metaphors. This inspired one suits the Almighty who blesses you, the Mighty One of Jacob,* the holy and unique one who delivers.** There is no Rock like our God, the Rock of Israel.  

Furthermore, the Rock (the one that Moses whacked and it flowed with abundant refreshing water) is symbolic of Christ. Christ the Rock who was smitten once to bring us life and continues to gush with soul-quenching living water. (Notice that the rock Moses later whacked two times was blurred of its spiritual significance, and for that, Moses was severely grounded.)  

 Christ the Rock is our salvation. That’s rich and comforting: the eternal rock who will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast and forever trusting (Isaiah 26:3-4).  

But, WARNING: don’t forget the unfaithful, ungrateful wanderers. 

 

Prayer: 

I love you, Lord, my strength. Listen to my prayer, oh God. From the ends of the earth I call to you, I call as my heart grows faint; lead me to the rock that is higher than I. For you have been my refuge, a strong tower against the foe (Psalm 18:1; 61:1-3).  

 Footnotes

*Jacob speaking in Genesis 49:24-25 

**Hannah praying in 1 Samuel 1:1-2 

 

Days

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