Rock
“Rock, cliff, crag”
Summary
Rock in Scripture frequently serves as a metaphor for God as a secure refuge and foundation, and for Christ as the spiritual rock from which living water flows.
☩God as the Rock
The title 'Rock' (Hebrew tsur, sela) is one of the most frequent and significant designations of God in the Old Testament. Moses' song declares, 'He is the Rock, his work is perfect; a God of faithfulness and without iniquity.' David frequently calls upon God as his rock and fortress, his high tower and deliverer. The imagery speaks of immovability, stability, strength, and security—God as the unchanging foundation upon which His people may safely stand.
☩Christ the Spiritual Rock
Paul identifies Christ with the rock from which water flowed for Israel in the wilderness: 'They drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.' This interpretation sees the miraculous provision of water as a type of Christ, the source of living water for His people in all ages. Jesus applied the rock imagery to Himself when He promised that whoever believes in Him would have rivers of living water flowing from within.
☩Building on the Rock
Jesus concluded the Sermon on the Mount with the parable of two builders: the wise man who built his house upon the rock, and the foolish man who built upon sand. The rock represents hearing and doing Christ's words; the sand represents hearing without obedience. When Peter confessed Jesus as 'the Christ, the Son of the living God,' Jesus declared, 'Upon this rock I will build my church.' Whether the rock refers to Peter, his confession, or Christ Himself has been debated, but all agree the foundation is the revealed truth of Christ's identity.
Related Verses129 mentions
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Rock," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. IX (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.James Orr (ed.), "Rock," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. IV (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).
- 3.George Morrish, "Rock," in Morrish's Concise Bible Dictionary (George Morrish, 1898).