Water That Flowed From a Rock – Exodus 17:5-6
Jul 10, 2026 9
What if the water that flowed from a rock thousands of years ago is still the only water that can truly satisfy today?
“The LORD said to Moses, ‘Walk out in front of the people… I will stand before you on the rock at Mount Sinai. Strike the rock, and water will come gushing out. Then the people will be able to drink.’ So Moses struck the rock as he was told, and water gushed out as the elders looked on.” — Exodus 17:5–6 (NLT)
The Water from the Rock
As we continue our journey through Scripture seeking to see Jesus more clearly, we come to God’s people wandering through the wilderness. They had been rescued from slavery in Egypt, but now they faced another life-threatening problem. There was no water. Once again, they grumbled. Once again, God graciously provided exactly what they needed.
When God’s people cried out in their thirst and distress, the God of all compassion heard them. He instructed Moses to strike the rock, and from that unlikely place, water gushed out. God did what only God could do. In the middle of a barren wilderness, He provided abundant water for everyone.
Centuries later, the apostle Paul revealed that this miracle had been pointing to Jesus all along: “They all drank the same spiritual water. For they drank from the spiritual rock that travelled with them, and that Rock was Christ” (1 Corinthians 10:4, NLT).
Jesus is the true Rock from whom living water flows. Struck for us at Calvary, He now offers the water of eternal life to everyone who comes to Him. Jesus said, “Those who drink the water I give will never be thirsty again. It becomes a fresh, bubbling spring within them, giving them eternal life” (John 4:14, NLT).
But Jesus doesn’t simply promise eternal life in the future. He satisfies us today. At the Feast of Tabernacles, He proclaimed, “Anyone who is thirsty may come to me! Anyone who believes in me may come and drink! … Rivers of living water will flow from his heart” (John 7:37–38, NLT). John explains that Jesus was speaking about the Holy Spirit, who comes to dwell within every believer. Through His Spirit, Christ fills us with His presence, His peace, His joy and His love, whatever our circumstances.
Where are we looking to quench the deepest thirst of our hearts? We search for satisfaction in success, achievement, relationships, possessions and pleasure. Yet none of these can quench the thirst God has placed within us. Only Jesus can.
The Good News Is…
And the good news is that the water from the rock helps us see Jesus clearly. Christ is the Rock who was struck for us so that living water might flow to everyone who believes. He alone satisfies our deepest thirst, both now and forever.
Further reading: Exodus 17:1–7; John 4:13–14; John 7:37–39; 1 Corinthians 10:1–4
Elenne Ford
Chair, Good News Unlimited