So much more to Moses and the Rock
In Exodus 17:6 God tells Moses to strike the rock at Horeb so that the Israelites may have water to drink. He does so, and water runs out of the rock.
Jesus is the rock; it is mentioned in 1 Corinthians 10:4. Jesus, the rock, was also struck, and water ran out of His side while he was on the cross. Jesus is life-giving water John 4:10.
Later, God showed Moses again how to get water from the rock. I've often heard that Moses wasn't allowed to enter the Promised Land because he didn't obey God, hitting the rock twice instead of once. That is wrong. God never told him to hit the rock in the first place; He said to speak to the rock. Numbers 20:8, 11.
Moses did not follow God's instructions, showing a lack of reverence and misrepresenting what God had in mind.
If striking the rock foreshadowed Christ, surely speaking to the rock could also be! God created the picture of Christ being struck to give life-giving water, the foreshadowing in Exodus 17:6. Why shall we not see Numbers 20:8 in the same light?
After the cross, we are empowered through the Holy Spirit to speak healing, destroy strongholds, work in God's kingdom, be God's ambassadors, and all through prayer and words! Speak to the mountain, it says in Mark 11:23 I believe Moses was supposed to create the picture of showing the power of the spoken word. It is also mentioned in Matthew 21:21-22
The power of the tongue already existed in the Old Testament; for example, when Ezekiel talked life into dry bones in Ezekiel 37:4. It was not Ezekiel's power; it was God's power through Ezekiel at work. It’s the same way today when we speak according to the examples that Jesus gave us. It is not our power that changes things, but God's power through us. Under His guidance, the Holy Spirit provides (after Jesus got struck as the rock got struck). Moses was supposed to speak to the rock to get water, was to speak to bring life. In the same way, we are to speak life today.
Proverbs 18:21 says death and life are in the power of the tongue and they that love it shall eat of it (this goes both ways), and brings me back to John 7:38, which says that rivers of living water will flow out of our hearts and out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks Matthew 12:34.
Words are a tree of life Prov.15:4, a fountain of life Prov. 10:11, and bring healing Prov. 12:18, even to the bones Prov.16:24
May our words give grace Eph. 4:29, and may God confirm our words with signs. Mark 16:20
Moses messed up
So Moses' sin was even more significant because he messed up God's plan and perfect picture for us. Surely, God is bigger than that, but I think this might be why Moses did not enter the Promised Land. He had a plan to fulfill but got carried away by doing his own thing and following his flesh.
Moses' actions seen in the New Testament
Miracles happen
Moses did not follow God's instruction, and still, the miracle happened. In Matthew 7:21-22 Jesus speaks about doing the will of the Father, and He goes on about the people saying, "did we not perform miracles in your name"? God's response is, "I never knew you." I am not saying God said this to Moses because we are shown differently in the New Testament when he meets Jesus and Elijah in Matthew 17. But I'm talking here about pictures. Did we not perform miracles? Yes, the rock did bring forth water. Miracles are a sign of power, not necessarily a sign of agreement with God.
Do not judge
Moses judged the people. Moses calls them rebels, but he himself is the one in rebellion by striking the rock twice. Matthew 7:2: The way you judge, you will be judged.
The way you are is how you see others; it is a common scheme of the enemy. Add-on: We are able to judge others 1Cor. 5:12, after we have been delivered in a particular area and can clearly see, after the log has been removed. Matthew 7:5
Moses also spoke out of anger. Matthew 12:36 warns us that we will give account for it.
Crucify Him again
Another picture is seen in Hebrews 6:6. Someone who falls away can't be restored because it would be as if to crucify Jesus again. Striking the rock two times is like crucifying Jesus again. Jesus died once and for all.
We were given a spirit of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
May we use it wisely and not end up like Moses. 2 Tim. 1:7
Please consider reading the follow-up article, a Scripture collection about the power of the spoken word. It speaks for itself!