“Spring Up, O Well”

“The Lord answered Moses, ‘Go out in front of the people. Take with you some of the elders of Israel and take in your hand the staff with which you struck the Nile, and go. I will stand there before you by the rock at Horeb. Strike the rock, and water will come out of it for the people to drink.’ So Moses did this in the sight of the elders of Israel” (Exodus 17:5,6, cp., Numbers 20:11).

Some of the subtlety of the original command was lost on Moses the second time around (Numbers 20:10-12). The rock had already been broken. There was no need to strike it again.

Missing from both accounts is the rousing tune that the congregation sang that accompanied Moses’ actions: When he struck the rock, “Israel sang this song: ‘Spring up, O well’” (Numbers 21:17). 

The New Testament unpacks the metaphor revealing that the rock is Christ (1Corinthians 10:4), and the “water” is that sense of blessedness (wholeness and spiritual well-being) that brings satisfaction and joy to our days. Jesus said, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to me. And let him who believes in me drink. As  Scripture has said, ‘Out of His (Christ’s) heart will flow rivers of living water’” (John 7:38). 

So…when the days get dreary, sing out again and again to the rock: “Spring up, O well!” Rivers of living water will flow (John 4:14). 

David Roper

4.13.20