Exodus - an Authentic Record of Events

The Bible is the inspired word of God. This page is a continuation in a series of articles about the Bible as God’s word.

Part 22  Exodus - an Authentic Record of Events

Two more parables of Christ’s work occurred while Israel was traveling towards the promised land.

1. Sustained by the manna - Israel under Moses

“And the children of Israel ate manna forty years, until they came to an inhabited land; they ate manna until they came to the border of the land of Canaan” - Exodus 16:35.

“Moreover, brethren, I do not want you to be unaware that all our fathers ate the same spiritual food....” - 1 Corinthians 10:3.

2. Sustained by the manna - The Ecclesia of Christ

“ ‘The bread of God is He who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world’....And Jesus said to them, ‘I am the bread of life....For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me....’ The Jews then murmured against Him, because He said, ‘I am the bread which came down from heaven’ ” - John 6:33.

3. The rock which poured out water - When Moses was to strike the rock

“And the Lord said to Moses, ‘Go on before the people, and take with you some of the elders of Israel. Also take in your hand your rod with which you struck the river, and go. Behold, I will stand before you there on the rock in Horeb; and you shall strike the rock, and water will come out of it, that the people may drink.’ And Moses did so in the sight of the elders of Israel” - Exodus 17:5. The upholders of the law of Moses “struck” Jesus at his first coming with death by crucifixion, whose death brings everlasting life to those who believe in him.

4. The rock which poured out water - “that Rock was Christ”

“Moreover, brethren, I do not want you to be unaware that all our fathers... drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them, and that Rock was Christ” - 1 Corinthians 10:4.

“Jesus answered and said to [the Samaritan woman], ‘Whoever drinks of this water will thirst again, but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life’ ” - John 4:13. But there is more to notice concerning the rock -

5. The rock which poured out water - When Moses was to speak to the rock

“Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying...‘Speak to the rock before their eyes, and it will yield its water...Then Moses lifted his hand and struck the rock twice with his rod; and water came out abundantly, and the congregation and their animals drank...

“Then the Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron, ‘Because you did not believe Me, to hallow Me in the eyes of the children of Israel, therefore you shall not bring this congregation into the land which I have given them’ ” - Numbers 20:7.

According to God’s purpose, no one is to strike Jesus at his second coming, but only speak to him, when he will give immortal life to all those who are found worthy at the judgment. Next time, God willing, a serpent on a pole.