Consider the Rock
Introduction: The metaphor of the rock has appeared throughout scripture, and I decided to take a more in-depth look. Even a basic form of God’s creation can speak of his nature, so as often as that form is before us, we can consider the represented qualities. All of God’s creation speaks of him, but for our meditation this time, we will consider the rock.
A — Moses Speaks of the Rock
Deuteronomy 32 “15 But Jeshurun waxed fat, and kicked: thou art waxen fat, thou art grown thick, thou art covered with fatness; then he forsook God which made him, and lightly esteemed the Rock of his salvation. 17 They sacrificed unto devils, not to God; to gods whom they knew not, to new gods that came newly up. 18 Of the Rock that begat thee thou art unmindful, and hast forgotten God that formed thee.”
Comments: The majority of chapter 32 contains the song which Moses provided first for Israel, then for all who believe, that we might guard against our own nature and resist the inclination to rebel against our God. The song opens with the opening verse containing our focus word, and closes with it as well. The entire chapter is very profitable, but does not remain restricted to the key word of this study.
B — There Is No Rock Like Our God
1 Samuel 2 “1 And Hannah prayed, and said, My heart rejoiceth in the LORD, mine horn is exalted in the LORD: my mouth is enlarged over mine enemies; because I rejoice in thy salvation. 2 There is none holy as the LORD: for there is none beside thee: neither is there any rock like our God.”
Comments: Hannah is one of the specially blessed women of scripture who was chosen and prepared by God for a key role in the development of the nation Israel. Her words indicate that she gave all the glory to God, as she praised him for what he had accomplished in her behalf. She echoes the metaphor of the rock from Moses, and emphasized that this rock is unique and incomparable.
C — The LORD Is My Rock
2 Samuel 22 “2 And he said, The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; 3 The God of my rock; in him will I trust: he is my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my high tower, and my refuge, my saviour; thou savest me from violence. 32 For who is God, save the LORD? And who is a rock, save our God? 47 The LORD liveth; and blessed be my rock; and exalted be the God of the rock of my salvation.”
Comments: David saw not his own skill and cunning, or chance happenings, which preserved his life; but he knew with certainty that God’s reliability is unchangeable, and that his ability is limitless. This historical record is also contained with very close wording in Psalm 18. David also speaks his last words: “The Rock of Israel spake to me, He that ruleth over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God.” And the Psalms further show that the rock that speaks and hears is a living rock — David cries out to “my rock,” and the rock is a source of refuge, salvation, and comfort.
D — Christ Is Our Rock
1 Corinthians 10 “3 And did all eat the same spiritual meat; 4 And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ. 5 But with many of them God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness.”
Comments: The apostle Paul, the Hebrew of Hebrews, tells us in his letter to the Corinthians that Christ is our rock, as he was the rock for Israel in the Old Testament. The Psalms further demonstrate that using the term rock certainly does not make communication with God, or praise to him, without a lively passion: because he is the rock that lives! Psalms 92, 94, and 95 all echo this theme with joy, culminating in: “O come, let us sing unto the LORD: let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation.”
E — The Stone the Builders Rejected
Psalm 118 “22 The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner. 23 This is the LORD’S doing; it is marvelous in our eyes. 24 This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.”
Isaiah 28 “16 Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste.”
Comments: Perhaps the most meaningful picture of Christ as the rock is presented in the Old and New Testament passages describing the stone which was rejected by Israel — those who were to be builders of God’s kingdom — and in so doing they rejected the very cornerstone of the living building which is Christ’s church. That rejection by Israel, and by all who continue to reject him, result in him becoming for them a stumbling stone and an offense. But for all that accept who he is, his placement as the cornerstone of a living building is truly marvelous in our eyes.
F — Build Only on the Rock
Matthew 7 “24 Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: 25 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.”
Comments: The story of the vineyard in Matthew, Mark, and Luke draws attention to the full meaning of the stone which the builders rejected. The reaction of the elders and rulers of the Jews, was a desire to destroy him. Peter and Paul both further verify how the stumbling stone was loss to those seeking justification by keeping the law, and the cornerstone was gain to those who would seek justification by faith. Paul develops this further in Ephesians, showing that Christians become part of Christ in this spiritual building: “In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord.”
G — The Stone Will Fill the Whole Earth
Daniel 2 “35 And the stone that smote the image became a great mountain, and filled the whole earth. 45 The great God hath made known to the king what shall come to pass hereafter: and the dream is certain, and the interpretation thereof sure.”
Psalm 72 “18 Blessed be the LORD God, the God of Israel, who only doeth wondrous things. 19 And blessed be his glorious name for ever: and let the whole earth be filled with his glory; Amen, and Amen.”
Comments: The stone described by Daniel was cut out of the mountain without hands, and it destroyed the image of man’s rebellion against God. After that, it filled the whole earth. All who are part of the kingdom of God are filling the whole earth, and even more greatly will this filling be manifested at his second coming. There is salvation in none other: for there is no other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
Reflections in Prayer
My precious, solid rock, I tremble at the thought of how I have often reveled in the “Jeshurun fat” of my blessings, and quickly forsook, and lightly esteemed you, my very salvation. Thank you for the scriptural record of saints like Hannah and David, who preceded me in their walk with you. There is truly none to compare with you. You O LORD are my rock, my fortress, my deliverer, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my high tower, and my refuge, my Savior. For who is God, except the LORD, and who is a rock, except our God? Thank you for laying that tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation in Zion: establishing the believer so he shall not be moved. Your rejection by the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem implemented your plan of fulfilling the law in our behalf. This is the LORD’S doing; it is marvelous in our eyes. And our joy is not for Israel’s loss, but rather for gain to all that trust solely in the salvation of the Lord. Blessed be the LORD God, who only does wondrous things! And blessed be his glorious name forever: and let the whole earth be filled with his glory! Amen, and amen.
Published 29 May 2004; first issued 10 February 2000