The Spiritual Rock Was Christ
At Horeb God commands Moses to strike the rock, bringing water for Israel in the wilderness.
Exodus 17:1–6
1And all the congregation of the children of Israel journeyed from the wilderness of Sin, after their journeys, according to the commandment of the LORD, and pitched in Rephidim: and [there was] no water for the people to drink.
2Wherefore the people did chide with Moses, and said, Give us water that we may drink. And Moses said unto them, Why chide ye with me? wherefore do ye tempt the LORD?
3And the people thirsted there for water; and the people murmured against Moses, and said, Wherefore [is] this [that] thou hast brought us up out of Egypt, to kill us and our children and our cattle with thirst?
4And Moses cried unto the LORD, saying, What shall I do unto this people? they be almost ready to stone me.
5And 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.
6Behold, 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.
The Old Testament pattern and its New Testament application
New Testament fulfillment
Jesus' public ministry, commonly dated to the late AD 20s
Sources & further reading
Historical facts and interpretive background are kept as structured citations so links can be checked and maintained over time.
The sources establish the historical record and provide background on the biblical passage. The conclusion that these events fulfill prophecy is the stated interpretation of Watchman 33.