And a man shall be as a hiding place from the wind, and a covert from the tempest; as rivers of water in a dry place, as the shadow of a great rock in a weary
land (Isaiah 32:2). The Lord Jesus Christ is the Rock of Ages. He is the Man who is the shadow of a Great Rock. 'The Picture of the Pinnacle' is a familiar with believers who have searched into its scriptural significance.
1. Jesus Christ is a High Rock. In a desperate yet delightful prayer David called out 'Lead me to the Rock that is higher than
I' (Psalm 61:2). When our feet are set on this Rock (Psalm 40:3) there is safety, security and we can sing! 'He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a Rock, and established my goings. And He put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God. When the redeemed of the Lord are on the Rock we are raised above the world, Satan, and even ourselves. Beyond the reach of doubt and destruction.
2. Jesus Christ is the Smitten Rock. 'Behold, I will stand before thee there upon the rock in Horeb; and thou shalt smite the rock, and there shall come water out of it, that the people may
drink' (Exodus 17:6; 1 Corinthians 10:4). This Rock was smitten with Moses' rod instead of the people. 'By His stripes we are healed'
(Isaiah53:3). These 'clefts in the rock' (Song of Solomon 2:14) are the hiding places of the Lord's doves! Living water to satisfy the thirst and to wash and cleanse from dirt and defilement flows freely from the wound of the Rock. (Psalm
78:15,20) 'He clave the rocks in the wilderness, and gave them drink as out of the great depths…. Behold, He smote the Rock, that the waters gushed out, and the streams overflowed.'
3. Jesus Christ is the Great Rock (Isaiah 32:2). As our Rock Jesus Christ is great in might, great in glory, great in beauty, great in stability and extent. His is a great Salvation and is available to the entire world. This Gospel is Great.
4. Jesus Christ the Rock is a Sure Foundation. Immovable, stable, eternal, trustworthy, strong, attractive and glorious, on which the Church is securely
built (Isaiah 18:16; 1 Corinthians 3:2; 1 Peter2:10).
5. Jesus Christ is the Rock of Refuge. He is our place of complete safety
(Psalm71). The rocks of Canaan provided a ready means of cover and shelter in times of danger. (Exodus
33:22; Psalm 27:5). Our Lord Jesus Christ is our Refuge and Strength, a very present help in
trouble (Psalm 46:1).
6. Jesus Christ is the Shadow of a Great Rock. The Rock is an emblem of Eternity and so sets forth the Saviour of Men. Also a beautiful shade and shadow in a weary and troublesome land. Come near to Me and I will give you rest.
The nearer to Him we are, the more of self is in the 'Shadow'.