Jesus in the Old Testament 017: Jesus, the Living Water

Jesus in the Old Testament 017:

Jesus, the Living Water

Thesis: The Hebrews wandering in the desert are fed miraculously but run out of water.  Dying of thirst is incredibly painful, and they grumble again.  Again, God provides for their needs.  This miracle is meant to be a picture of the means by which God will meet a much more profound need, salvation, in Christ.  Jesus references this miracle and clarifies that it was about himself.

1. Nutshell with Kids (<5 min)
1. Have you ever been thirsty?  Tell me about it.
2. Summarize Ex 17. Why do you think they got so mad?
3. God met their needs in a unique way.  Striking a rock is not normally how you get water.
4. Picture of Jesus.
5. Jesus said he is the living water.  What do you think this means?
6. What kinds of needs has Jesus met for us?

2. Deeper with Adults
1. Mike’s Mountain story
2. Exodus 17: Hebrew Mike’s Mountain
1. Rephidim, modern Wadi Reyfayid. Nothing much there.
2. "They are almost ready to stone me!" (Ex 17:4). 
3. God’s instructions (vs 5-7)

a)      Go ahead (walking in pain)

b)      Follow me.

c)      God will stand on the rock.

d)     Moses strikes the rock.

e)      Water will come out, and the people will drink.

f)       Their needs are met when God is symbolically struck

(1)    1 Cor 10:1-5:

(2)   The rock is Christ

4. Again, the people grumble and doubt God’s presence, and again He demonstrates that He is with them.
2. A repeat of the miracle in Num 20
1. Similar setting (Wilderness of Zin)
2. Similar complaining (vs 2-5)
3. (vs 6-9)Moses and Aaron come to God, and he again answers, but with different instructions.

a)      Take the staff, but speak to the rock.

b)      Jesus was struck once for the forgiveness of our sins

(1)   Romans 6:10

(2)   Heb 9:26-28

(3)   1 Pe 3:15

c)      After this, only our confession is needed for forgiveness (1Jn 1:9-10)

4. (vs 10-13) Moses’ disobedience

a)      Struck the rock twice after an angry outburst.

b)      Water comes out.  People drink, cattle are saved. It works, but it isn’t God’s desire.

c)      The picture of sanctification was ruined.

d)     Moses’ punishment was that he would not enter the land. (brought behind the barn).

e)      Shocking.  God worked through Moses for so long in so many ways, but this outburst of anger disqualifies him.

f)       Water still named Meribah, quarreling

4. In John 4:13-14,
1. Speaking of the offering of his life to the woman at the well
2. The waters of Meribah satisfied momentary, physical thirst.
3. The water that flows from Jesus (his blood) gives eternal life.
5. John 7
1. Vs 1, Feast of Tabernacles.
2. Jesus doesn’t go up with his family as expected.  He sneaks in.
3. Lots of references to it not yet being his time (vs 6, 8, 30, 34).
4. Vs 37-38. On the last great day (explanation)

a)      During the water libation ceremony, Jesus steals the show.

b)      The water being poured out on the altar had several meanings:

(1)   Cleansing the altar: Jesus brings real cleansing (Heb 9:11-14).

(2)   A thanksgiving in advance for the rains which are about to come.  Jesus’ sacrifice was already promised, and it was appropriate to give thanks in advance (Mike’s Sermon upcoming).

(3)   Water and Wine to symbolize abundance supply for the crops (water) and an abundance of completed harvest (grapes, wine).  Jesus’ water and blood at the cross.

c)      Immediate context references the Holy Spirit, who comes at Christ’s bidding (Jn 14:25-26)

6. Invitation to come and drink. 
1. Jn 4 and 7 both include invitations.
2. Both also include parameters. 
3. Moses rejected for going outside the parameters.
4. God invites us to know him and to be satisfied within the terms He has set forth.
5. He has worked salvation once.  You cannot work it any other way. 
6. All that is left for you is to speak to the rock and be saved (Romans 10:9-10).

Discussion Questions:

1. God had a picture he wanted Moses to present to the Israelites about how He meets our needs through Jesus.  Moses messed that up.  As a consequence, he didn’t get to enter the Promised Land.  What does that show about how much God cares about us presenting Him well to others?
2. This whole story revolves around a basic need for life: water.  Do you trust God to meet your basic needs?  Or do you find yourself grumbling like the thirsty Israelites?
3. Jesus says that He is the living water.  What does that mean to you?
4. God is inviting you to trust Him to meet your deepest needs, including the need for forgiveness.  What needs do you need to let Him meet for you today?