0 0

By William Van Zyl

Published on 25 September 2024

David refers to the Rock—his Rock and Fortress—in the Psalms. Where did he get this idea from? 

The Rock is the Lord Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 10:4; Psalm 89:26), and He is that same Rock yesterday, today, and forever, He does not change (Hebrews 13:8).

Where does this concept of THE ROCK come from? 

Did David read the Torah while in the field looking after the sheep? Did he hear the stories from his mother and father, who most probably homeschooled him? Remember, he was a significant reader, writer, and poet. He must have been educated in reading and writing during his childhood.  

Did David understand The Rock concept while reading about the miracles in the desert during Moses’ time? While Moses led the Israelites out of Egypt into the desert to the Promised Land, remember the supernatural provision: the manna, the quail, the water from a Rock, the column of fire by night, and the cloud by day. David refers to these stories in the Psalms continuously. He reminds us, and at the same time, he builds his faith. Remember: ‘Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.’

Also, when he saw Goliath, the giant Philistine, he asked, ‘Who is this ‘uncircumcised Philistine?’ He understood the concept of covenant. He must have read about God’s covenant with Abraham in the scrolls. He also said: ‘I have put YOUR WORD in my heart so that I will not sin against THEE.’ It is clear that he read the scriptures and meditated on it day and night:

Psalms 1:2-3 King James Version (KJV). But his delight is in the law of the LORD; And in His law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, That bringeth forth his fruit in his season; His leaf also shall not wither; And whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.

Did you know that the Chabad says that the Rock, Jesus, followed the Israelites in the desert? 

The Chabad and the Apostle Paul refer to a miraculous Rock that provided water to the Israelites in the desert, symbolising Jesus. According to this belief, the Rock followed the Israelites and, when spoken to, would rise and gush out water (like water flowing from a ‘sieve’). This Rock is seen as a representation of Jesus, who was present with the Israelites, providing for their needs. While roaming the earth, Jesus later declared, “If you are thirsty, come to Me,” highlighting His role as the spiritual source of life. Paul also identifies Jesus as the Rock that accompanied the Israelites during their journey in the desert.

This is what the Rock could have looked like. We have yet to learn what the rock in the desert looked like. In September 2024, I asked AI-Midjourney to create a Rock that provided water to the Israelites in the desert to give an image of the ‘Rock.’ AI-inspired photos using my own prompts (September 2024).

This brings us to Paul’s explanatory comment in 1 Corinthians 10:4b: “For they drank from the spiritual Rock that followed them, and the Rock was Christ.”

Here is the famous verse written by David.

‘He only is my rock and my salvation: He is my defence; I shall not be moved. In God is my salvation and my glory: The rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God. Trust in him at all times; ye people, Pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us.’ Selah. Psalms 62:6-8 King James Version (KJV)

I include some more poetic scriptures that refer to the ROCK. Yeshua, our Rock. 

These verses beautifully capture the symbolism of God as a steadfast and unchanging rock, offering protection, strength, supernatural provision, and refuge.

1. Psalm 61:2 (KJV):
   “From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I.”
2. Psalm 18:2 (KJV):
   “The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.”
3. Psalm 62:7 (KJV):
   “In God is my salvation and my glory: the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God.”
4. Psalm 94:22 (KJV):
   “But the Lord is my defence; and my God is the rock of my refuge.”
5. Deuteronomy 32:4 (KJV):
   “He is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he.”
6. 2 Samuel 22:2 (KJV):
   “And he said, The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer;”

I include these stunning pictures of David symbolically looking up at the Rock. He knows the Rock’s power, provision, and safety.  

He says: ‘Lead me to the Rock higher than I.’ 

David looks up at The Rock. He understands the concept. ‘He is my refuge and strength.’

David says: ‘He, The Rock, is my shield and buckler (a small round shield held by a handle or worn on the forearm).’ When the enemy shoots arrows at him, he will run to find shelter behind the large shield – carried by a weapon bearer (He is my Rock and Fortress, my High Tower, and my Deliverer; in Him, I will trust’). See the cross motif on the shield in the background and the buckler on his forearm. AI interprets my thoughts in this article. NOTE: AI-inspired images using my prompts (September 2024). AI-PROMPT: From the Bible, David holds a small shield on his forearm. In the background is a massive shield with a cross motif on it. He has a sword in his hand. He is wearing sandals. Dressed in ancient battle array. He is ready for battle.

David looks up at the Rock, which is higher than himself—his Rock and Fortress. He says to Yeshua, “Lead me up; lead me to Yeshua, who is higher than I. Lead me up.” AI-inspired images using my prompts (September 2024).

What a beautiful and comforting thing to say and to know. He is our ROCK.

He is always with us. He is for us. We are safe and secure with Him. He will supernaturally provide for us. He will quench our thirst. He will protect us. He will give us the victory. He is our solid foundation. If the enemy shoots fiery arrows at us, he is our Shield and Buckler. We are safe and secure and will not be moved.

————0————-

Do you want to read more about the Sliding-Walking Rock providing supernaturally for the Israelites in the desert? Some references to the Chabad, which uncover more revelations, are included in the article. Here is the link:

Copyright © 2024 by William Van Zyl

Lead me to the Rock Higher than I.

All rights reserved. This eBook/article or any portion

thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner

without the publisher’s permission, except for using brief quotations in a book review.

Published by Five House Publishing (New Zealand)

First Publishing, September 2024

More eBooks and articles are available at https://fivehousepublishing.com/

More about the author at http://williamvanzyl.com/

About Post Author

admin

Happy

2 100 %

Sad

0 0 %

Excited

0 0 %

Sleepy

0 0 %

Angry

0 0 %

Surprise

0 0 %