Speak to the Rock
Speak to the Rock
By Apostle AJE PELSER
HARVESTER REFORMATIONAL CHURCH, CAPE TOWN, SEPT 2023.
God told me to “speak to the Rock.”
“Speak to the rock”
The first time Moses had to strike the rock. And water flowed. It was in Horeb, the mountain of God.
Water from the Rock
Exo 17:5 And the LORD said to Moses, “Go on before the people, and take with you some of the elders of Israel. Also take in your hand your rod with which you struck the river and go.
Exo 17:6 Behold, I will stand before you there on the rock in Horeb; and you shall strike the rock, and water will come out of it, that the people may drink.” And Moses did so in the sight of the elders of Israel.
Exo 17:7 So he called the name of the place Massah and Meribah, because of the contention of the children of Israel, and because they tempted the LORD, saying, “Is the LORD among us or not?”
God stands before Moses on the rock of Horeb where He appeared to Moses in the burning bush, Exodus 3.
Horeb is called “the mountain of God,” it means “desert or desolate” (H2722 Strong’s Concordance), and it the exact opposite of what the people we needing: water! (Ex. 3:1; 1 Kings 19:8).
Horeb is where God made a covenant with his people at Horeb (Deut. 5:2; 2 Chron. 5:10) which is reflected in God giving the two tablets of the testimony to Moses on Mount Sinai (Ex. 31:18).
Horeb is where the Israelites made the golden calf (Psalm 106:19) and we know that they did this at Mount Sinai (Ex.32:8; 34:2).
Jesus was struck once for us all!
We see a parallel here, Jesus had to be struck on the cross for our sins. Blood and water flowed from his side. Jesus said that we should come to him for living water.
Joh 19:34 But one of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear, and immediately blood and water came out.
Power of Water
A friend recently spoke to me about God uncovering old pathways of water and restructuring the flow of rivers. The recent floods in the Western Cape have reminded us of the power of water to shape landscapes.
Water is a powerful force, spiritually speaking. Water sweeps away the refuge of lies. Water cleanses. Water nourishes and nurtures souls.
Isa 28:16 Therefore thus says the Lord GOD: “Behold, I lay in Zion a stone for a foundation, A tried stone, a precious cornerstone, a sure foundation; Whoever believes will not act hastily.
Isa 28:17 Also I will make justice the measuring line, And righteousness the plummet; The hail will sweep away the refuge of lies, And the waters will overflow the hiding place.
Sharing the revelation of the Word is like the washing of water:
Eph 5:25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her,
Eph 5:26 that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word,
Following up in ministry is equivalent to watering a plant:
1Co_3:6 I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase.
The second instance of water flowing from the rock is described in the International Bible Encyclopaedia commentary on Numbers 20:2
The Waters of Meribah
Num 20:2 Now there was no water for the congregation; so they gathered together against Moses and Aaron.
Num 20:3 And the people contended with Moses and spoke, saying: “If only we had died when our brethren died before the LORD!
Num 20:4 Why have you brought up the assembly of the LORD into this wilderness, that we and our animals should die here?
Num 20:5 And why have you made us come up out of Egypt, to bring us to this evil place? It is not a place of grain or figs or vines or pomegranates; nor is there any water to drink.”
Num 20:6 So Moses and Aaron went from the presence of the assembly to the door of the tabernacle of meeting, and they fell on their faces. And the glory of the LORD appeared to them.
Num 20:7 Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying,
Num 20:8 “Take the rod; you and your brother Aaron gather the congregation together. Speak to the rock before their eyes, and it will yield its water; thus you shall bring water for them out of the rock, and give drink to the congregation and their animals.”
Moses got angry
Unfortunately, Moses got angry and struck the rock twice. This was not in line with God’s plan: Jesus would only be struck once on the Cross for us. God had mercy on Moses but did not allow him to enter with the children of Israel into the promised land. This is a good warning not to try and strike something with our own strength to make it happen. We speak the name of Jesus – speak to the rock – and the living water flows freely. Num. 27:13
Things to say to the Rock!
Let’s find things to say to the rock of Jesus in our lives, to make the water flow!
Speak to the Lord. Seek the Lord and get council from Him.
Request Council. Take the elders with you. Acknowledge the elders in your circles and wage war with wise counsel.
Listen to the Rock speak back – obey the instructions you get when you speak to the Rock!
Take the rod in your hand, but do not strike the rock again. Jesus has been struck on the cross already. The rest we do is dead works. The rod speaks of authority and to be counted worthy of God’s calling. That should be enough substance for us to speak with faith and authority for the waters to flow in our midst.
Use faith in Jesus’ name to Speak to the Rock. The name of Jesus makes the water flow in any situation. Speak with faith and by the power and inspiration of the Holy Spirit.
When you are face to face with the Rock of revelation, the rock of ages, Jesus Christ the chief cornerstone of the church, one of the best things to speak is a request:
Joh 4:10 Jesus answered and said to her, “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is who says to you, ‘Give Me a drink,’ you would have asked Him, and He would have given you living water.”
Joh 4:14 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.”
Joh 14:10 Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me? The words that I speak to you I do not speak on My own authority; but the Father who dwells in Me does the works.
Testifying of the Rock also releases the living water:
Act_4:20 For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.”
Praying also releases boldness to speak the Word
Act_4:29 Now, Lord, look on their threats, and grant to Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your word,
Act_5:20 “Go, stand in the temple and speak to the people all the words
The rock will speak back to you and strengthen your faith, encourage you for the task ahead:
Act 18:9 Now the Lord spoke to Paul in the night by a vision, “Do not be afraid, but speak, and do not keep silent;
Act 18:10 for I am with you, and no one will attack you to hurt you; for I have many people in this city.”
of this life.”
As you speak on behalf of the rock, the Holy Spirit will release the living water in those who hear you!
Act_11:15 And as I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell upon them, as upon us at the beginning.