The God Who Stands on the Rock | Exodus 17:1-7

July 30th, 2025

“So Moses cried to the Lord, ‘What shall I do with this people? They are almost ready to stone me.’ And the Lord said to Moses, ‘Pass on before the people, taking with you some of the elders of Israel, and take in your hand the staff with which you struck the Nile, 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 will drink.’ And Moses did so, in the sight of the elders of Israel.”
Exodus 17:4–6

Introduction: When You’ve Come to the End of Yourself
Moses has reached his breaking point.

He’s led faithfully. He’s obeyed. He’s trusted the Lord. But now the people are angry—so angry they’re ready to kill him. And so he cries out to God, “What shall I do with this people?”

Every pastor has felt this at some point. Every parent. Every leader. Every Christian who loves deeply and serves sacrificially. You give everything you have, and it feels like the people you’re trying to serve are turning against you.

But here in Exodus 17, we see something profound. In Moses’ moment of desperation, God steps in. And He does something far greater than just solve the water problem.

He shows us a glimpse of the Gospel.

The Prayer of the Persecuted Servant
Moses doesn’t lash out. He doesn’t quit. He doesn’t fight back.

He cries out to God.

“So Moses cried to the Lord, ‘What shall I do with this people? They are almost ready to stone me.’” (v. 4)

This is the mark of a faithful servant—not perfection, but dependence.

When the weight is too much, Moses runs to the only place strong enough to hold it. This is not just desperation—it is faith.

John Calvin comments,

“True leadership flees to the Lord when men rebel. For the minister of God is not upheld by his own strength, but by divine aid.”

Let us learn from Moses here. When ministry gets heavy, when criticism abounds, when leadership is lonely—run to God. Pour out your soul. And wait for His answer.

God's Response: Leadership, Memory, and Power
God doesn’t rebuke Moses for his prayer. Instead, He gives him instructions:

“Pass on before the people, taking with you some of the elders of Israel, and take in your hand the staff with which you struck the Nile, and go.” (v. 5)

Three commands. Each rich with meaning.

1) “Pass on before the people...”

God calls Moses to stand before the very people who were ready to kill him. Why?

Because leadership is not cowardice—it is courage. The man of God must walk by faith, even when surrounded by opposition. He must obey, even when it's unpopular.

God is not calling Moses to escape—He’s calling him to stand.

2) “Take some of the elders...”

This wasn’t a private miracle. God wanted witnesses—representatives of the people to behold what He was about to do.

This is not just about Moses. It’s about God establishing His power and authority in front of the people.

3) “Take in your hand the staff with which you struck the Nile...”

This is the same staff that turned the Nile to blood. The staff that parted the Red Sea. It is a symbol of God’s power and judgment.

God is saying, “I haven’t changed. I am still mighty. Still present. Still faithful.”

Behold—God Stands on the Rock
Verse 6 is one of the most breathtaking moments in the Old Testament:

“Behold, I will stand before you there on the rock at Horeb…”

God says something utterly astonishing:

“I will stand before you.”

This is the only time in the entire Old Testament where God says He will “stand before” a man. Normally, it is the man who must stand before God. But here, in an act of condescension and grace, God identifies Himself with the rock.

He is not above His people. He is not aloof. He is present. And He is about to be struck.

Martyn Lloyd-Jones writes:

“In that moment, God was not only providing water—He was painting a portrait of Calvary.”

The Rock Was Christ
Paul makes this clear in 1 Corinthians 10:4:

“For they drank from the spiritual Rock that followed them, and the Rock was Christ.”

Jesus is the Rock.

He is the One who stands before the people.

He is the One who is struck so that water—life—can flow.

This is more than a miracle—it is a foreshadowing of the Gospel. On the cross, Christ stood in our place. He bore the blow of divine judgment. And from His wounds flowed the living water of salvation.

Isaiah 53:4–5 echoes through this moment:

“Surely He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows... He was pierced for our transgressions... and with His wounds we are healed.”

Just as Moses struck the rock and water gushed out to give life, so the Father struck the Son—and eternal life flowed for all who believe.

William Perkins wrote:

“The striking of the rock was a shadow of the bruising of Christ. And the water that flowed was the grace that justifies sinners.”

The Water Was Enough

“...and water shall come out of it, and the people will drink. And Moses did so, in the sight of the elders of Israel.” (v. 6)

Despite their rebellion, their accusations, their unbelief—God still provides.

This is grace.

God does not say, “You don’t deserve water.”

He gives it anyway.

He quenches their thirst—not because of their worthiness, but because of His covenant.
This is the Gospel. Jesus dies for the ungodly. He saves rebels. He satisfies the ungrateful.

Romans 5:8 puts it best:

“But God shows His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

This should melt our hearts in worship. If God could give such grace in the wilderness, how much more should we trust Him in every trial?

Applications for Our Lives

1) Run to God when overwhelmed.

When you're at your limit, don’t complain—cry out to the Lord. He hears, He answers, and He provides.

2) Stand firm in obedience.

Leadership requires faith. Obedience is not always applauded. But God strengthens those who walk with Him.

3) Remember the Rock was struck.

Christ bore the blow. You don’t have to. He stood in your place. That is the greatest news in the world.

4) God is present in your wilderness.

He stands on the rock. He’s not far off. He’s near. Trust Him.

5) Drink from the water of grace.

There is life for the thirsty soul. Not in this world—but in Christ. Come to Him and drink.

Conclusion: The Rock Still Flows
Christian, the rock has been struck—and it still flows.

The same Jesus who gave His life at Calvary still gives living water to all who come to Him in faith. No matter your past. No matter your doubts. No matter your dryness.

Come to Him. Trust Him. Drink deeply of His grace.

And let your heart overflow in worship—not because you deserve it—but because He has stood in your place.

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