THEOSISCyrill of Alexandria
Israel struggled to respond with courage and valor against the onslaught of their inner passions, as this strength is not meant for those living under the law, but rather for those who dwell in Christ. While it would have been just for the wrathful God to withhold the gift of water, He sought to lead those who had fallen into despair back to faith through further miracles. Thus, He instructed Moses to strike the rock with his staff. God was aware that even Moses, who showed signs of fear amidst the people's unrest, was weak in his faith.
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Therefore, in Exodus, it is stated: "Take some of the elders of Israel with you, and take your rod with which you struck the water in your hand, and go; behold, I will stand before you there on the rock at Horeb, and you shall strike the rock, and water shall come out of it, and the people shall drink" (Exodus 17:5-6).
In Numbers, the directive continues: "Thou shalt take the rod, and gather the company, thou and Aaron thy brother, and shalt say in their eyes to the rock, and it shall give forth water out of itself: and so thou shalt bring forth water out of the rock unto them, and thou shalt make the company and their cattle drunk." Here, God reminds Moses of the miracle in Egypt, instructing him to take "Thy rod, with which thou hast struck the water, take it in thine hand, and go" (Ex. 17:5). It is as if God were indicating that the rod, which transformed the great river into blood by His unfathomable power, will easily elicit water from the rock. Furthermore, He reassures Moses, adding: "I will stand before thee there" (Ex. 17:6). He is saying that Moses will not be alone; he will not perform the miracle by himself. Instead, God will reveal the rock that holds many waters, prepare the miracle, and be present when it is executed. Moses will speak to the stone, and God will be the force behind his words.