LESSONS FROM MERIBAH

“For they drank of that spiritual Rock

that followed them, and that Rock was
Christ.” I Cor.10:4
 I. Stroked Rock in Horeb
Moses was told by the
Lord to strike the rock
in Horeb, then water w
ill come out of it. And
people may drink.
Exodus 17:6

All drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank of th

at spiritual Rock that followed them, and that Rock was
Christ. I Cor.10:4
 1. Jesus was smitten by God for our
transgressions. .
By His stripes we are healed.

Surely He has borne our griefs. And carried our

sorrows; Yet we esteemed Him stricken, Smitte
n by God, and afflicted.
But He was wounded for our transgressions, He
was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement
for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes
we are healed. Isaiah 63:4-5
 2. "Come!" And let him who thirsts come.
Whoever desires, let him take the water of l
ife freely. Rev. 22:17

"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 4:13-14
 II. Rock of Meribah
1. Complaining unfaithful Israel and God’s
patience and mercy. Num.20:2-5
Our Lord knows what we need and supplies us without our
complaining and worry.
Matt.6:24-33
"Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what
you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body,
what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body
more than clothing? For your heavenly Father knows that
you need all these things.
The Lord gave them water not because they complained, but he
knows our needs even before we ask him. Because of His mercy.
 2. Why Moses was led to disobey His ins
truction and he did it by his own way?
He struck the rock twice.
His commandment was to speak to the rock, not
to strike it this time. Num.20:8
(1) He became mad and emotional toward unfaithful
Israel. And he forgot His commandment. Lack of his
patience.
Cease from anger, and forsake wrath;Do not fret-it only
causes
(2) He forgot to rest uponharm. Psalm
the Lord for this37:7-8
problems and ac
ted by himself. He said to them, "Hear now, you rebels! Mu
st we bring water for you out of this rock?“ Num.20:10
Even great man of God makes a big mistake as a leader.
 3. Why God did not allow Moses to
strike the rock to get water like before?
Reason: This rock is a type of Jesus. J
esus is the spiritual rock.
All drank the same spiritual drink. For they dra
nk of that spiritual Rock that followed them, an
d that Rock was Christ. I Cor.10:4
Jesus was stricken only once on the cross for our
sins, and that is enough.

So Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. Hebrew 9:28
For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are
being sanctified. Hebrew 10:14
 4. Why God gave water to Israel from the r
ock even after Moses’ disobedience?
(1) It is because of God’s mercy and kindness knowing our weekne
ss.
The Lord gave them water not because they complained, but he
knows our needs even before we ask him. Because of His mercy.
(2) It does not teach us that the good result justifies the means.
This idea is very common among many compromised protest
ant churches and preachers today.
Woman preacher, sprinkling baptism, infant baptism, pentec
ostal churches, baptismal salvation, ecumenical church, unive
rsal church idea, ….
1. Salvation truth plus many wrong do
ctrines.
Result: some saved believers and many unsaved so-call
Christians. No true New Testament churches. No crown.
Gal. 1:6-10, II Tim.2:5

2. Salvation truth plus all Biblical doc

trines.
Result: Many true believers and true New Testament
churches. They will be called “Great in Heaven”
Matt.5:17-19, Rev.21:9-10
 5. What was Moses’ result for his
disobedience?
He lost Great privileges and blessing to enter
the promised land. He died in front of the
land. Although he was saved and one of
great men of God.
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 assembly into the land which
I have given them.“ Num. 20:12