Exodus 17:6Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Concerning the struck rock mentioned in Exodus 17:1, Jesus urged His followers to enter through the narrow gate (Matthew 7:13). This narrow gate and the difficult path (v. 14) symbolize the perseverance in hardships and a commendable patience that enables those determined to aspire to higher ideals to attain profound glory and discover joy in acts of bravery and righteousness. Just as triumph in warfare demonstrates the valor of the soldier, so too does the capacity to bear the burdens of temptation with grace reflect a glorious, admirable quality deserving of praise. The disciple of the Lord reassures us that such individuals are worthy of admiration, declaring: "Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life" (James 1:12).

When the people found themselves in need of water once again, a particular rock, struck on its summit by the rod of Moses, yielded a plentiful and refreshing supply of sweet water that greatly exceeded the needs of the multitude.

In this journey, it seems essential to express thoughts quickly; for from the few insights we have adapted for the diligent, a broader perspective on other lands can be gathered. These encampments represent the virtues where the people, guided by the pillar of cloud, establish themselves and find peace and rest.

The ancestors were parched, and Moses struck the rock, causing water to spring forth. Was this not grace operating independently of natural law, as the rock released water it did not inherently possess?

It is not beyond faith to believe that the Virgin bore a child, especially when we recall that the rock also produced water, and the sea’s waters parted as a solid wall (Exodus 14:22). It is not implausible that humanity emerged from the Virgin (Matthew 1:25-26, Luke 2:7). Furthermore, when the rock overflowed with divine abundance, iron floated upon the surface, and a person tread upon the waters (Matthew 14:25-29).

How should we interpret the words of the apostle: "All were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea, and they all ate the same spiritual food and drank the same spiritual drink, for they drank from the spiritual rock that followed them, and that rock was Christ" (1 Cor. 10:2-4)? The Old Testament serves as a foreshadowing of the New Testament; the Mosaic law is but a shadow, while grace represents the substance. Consequently, just as the Egyptians oppressed the Israelites, their passage through the Red Sea symbolizes liberation from the bitter yoke of the Egyptians.

Behold a rock, from which water resides. Yet, this rock remains dry unless it is struck; when struck, it will yield forth springs and rivers, as stated in the Gospel: “Whoever believes in me, out of his womb will flow rivers of living water” (John 7:38). Christ, suspended on the cross, released the fountains of the New Covenant; thus, His crucifixion was essential. Had He not been nailed to the cross, and if the blood and water from His sacrifice had stayed concealed, the cosmos would have faced demise from the drought of the Word of God.

When Moses, Your servant, struck the rock with his staff, Your life-giving side was opened, from which we all receive the refreshing waters of life, O Savior. In this act, Moses, Your servant, symbolically foreshadowed Your life-giving side, O Savior, from which we all draw the sustenance of life, O Savior.

The extraordinary event, which was unseen by the entire community as suggested by Cook (A. C. B.), occurred purposefully in the presence of the elders of the people. The term Horeb signifies ‘dry, parched,’ emphasizing the miraculous nature of the event rather than a natural occurrence: “I will stand before thee upon the rock,” declares the Lord. Otto Gerlach posits that the cloud which consistently accompanied Israel, symbolizing God’s presence, indicated to Moses and the elders the rock that Moses was to strike with his staff. The presence of the Lord served once again as a reminder to Israel that He alone was the Source of their salvation and the Fountain of all blessings.