Why would God have Moses strike the rock one time and not the next?
Question:
Dear Brother Jeffrey,
I have a question and would appreciate your insights. In Exodus 17, God commanded Moses to smite the rock for water, and then in Numbers 20, He commanded Moses to speak unto the rock for water. We know that Moses smote the rock in Exodus; he did the same in Numbers, smote the rock twice. Due to disobedience, he did not enter the promised land. My questions:
- Is there any explanation in the Bible why God would have Moses strike the rock in the first instance (Exodus), and then speak to the rock on the second occasion (Numbers)?
- Does it appear that Moses was also showing frustration or stress with the children of Israel, resulting in his striking the rock instead of speaking to it?
- Is I Corinthians 10:1-4 making metaphorical linkage between Christ and the rock in Exodus and Numbers? If so, and the rock is Christ Himself, was Moses punished because of disrespecting Christ, or purely for not complying with the exact command of God?
Answer:
God did not tell us why He gave different commands in the two situations. However, we are told why Moses and Aaron were punished. See "Why did Moses strike the rock twice and what was Aaron’s participation?"
Moses was definitely annoyed with the Israelites.
- The Israelites had assembled to oppose Moses and Aaron (Numbers 20:2).
- They argued with Moses, claiming that they would have been better off dead (Numbers 20:3).
- Before striking the rock, Moses called the people "rebels" (Numbers 20:10).
What I can't answer is whether this was the cause of Moses changing God's command.
Emphasis should be on the metaphorical connection. In two instances of the wilderness wanderings, first near the beginning of the journey and the second near the end, God provided water from a rock. Jesus is the source of living water for his followers (John 4:10,13-14). Thus, in the world that is parched from a lack of righteousness, Jesus becomes our refreshing source that sustains and renews us. Multiple rocks are in the account, but Paul said the Rock (singular) was Jesus. Paul also said that the Rock followed the Israelites. In other words, Jesus was with the Israelites during their journey, helping and sustaining them. The point in I Corinthians 10 is that the Israelites had similar advantages to Christians, yet they failed to follow God despite God's aid.
