PREFERRING THE TOY FOR THE ROCK

"As the rock, He is 'a God of faithfulness,' upon which men may rely and build in all the storms of life..." - Keil & Delitzsch Commentary On The Old Testament

"God's power and promise are a rock that is higher than we." - Matthew Henry

"How is it that men soon forget the solid, the real, the substantial?...We forget the Rock so soon; We prefer the toy; we want something light, something that can be spoken trippingly on the tongue - an easy fluent nothing. We do not care to bow down the head to study, to criticism, to the examination, and estimation of evidence, and commit ourselves to the acceptance of sound conclusions...Let us turn to the real, to the substantial, to the very revelation of God's truth, and abide there..." - J. Parker, D.D.

In Deuteronomy 32:31, we read - "For their rock is not as our Rock, even our enemies themselves being judges."

Here we have "their rock" mentioned in total opposition to "our rock." "Their rock is not as our rock." There are absolutely no similarities between the two. There are no chances of them having any likenesses.

The amazing thing about this Scripture is that the first ones to actually acknowledge this fact are the enemies of Israel. They wholeheartedly agree that Israel's Rock is not like their rock. They know this by experience. They are convinced of it, and hence, they are saying so.

First of all, let's explain what is meant by "rock" in this verse of Scripture.

"Rock" is anything in which a man seeks safety, finds rest, or looks for satisfaction and pleasure. It is that on which he builds his hope. The world has many "rocks." The Kingdom of God has One.

The world's "rocks" are earthy...in the world...of the world...and with the world come to an end. Israel's "Rock" - or that of the Christian - is heavenly and eternal.

The world's "rocks" consist of the many idols, the religious systems, all worldly things, as well as all the lying vanities in which men place their trust and confidence. To the man caught up in this world's system, the golden "rock" of money ... the smooth "rock" of pleasure ... or the proud "rock" of position would be his true "rock." The great man's "rock" would be his power, while the self-righteous man's "rock" would be his assumed goodness.

Throughout the ages, many pagan nations as well as infidels from all walks of life admitted that their "rock" did not offer the security, enjoyment, or happiness that they anticipated. If they were at all honest, they would even go so far as to admit that the "Rock" of Israel or of the Christian was the only One that offered security, strength, and a firm foundation of hope and trust.

Who is this "Rock" that Moses wrote about in the Book of Deuteronomy and is found throughout the Scriptures?

It is none other than the Lord Jesus Christ - the Living and True God. He is every believer's "Rock" for strength, protection, and abundance of supplies.

Deuteronomy 32:4 says from the very start about the God of Israel - "He is the Rock..." In other words, He is the One Who has power and stability ... Who is the faithful covenant-keeper ... Who is an unchangeable refuge and impenetrable shelter ... and Who offers a firm defense and secure resort to His people. He is the origin, fountain, or first cause of their being.

Deuteronomy 32:15 calls Him - "the Rock of his (Israel's) salvation." In other words, He is the author of it.

Deuteronomy 32:18 adds this phrase - "Of the Rock that begat thee..." Here we see - once again - the Lord God as being the first cause or fountain of their being.

In Psalm 62:7, David referred to Him as - "the rock of my strength."
In Psalm 94:22, Moses called Him - "the rock of my refuge."
In Isaiah 32:2, the Prophet described Him as - "the shadow of a great rock in a weary land."

David was depicting Him as the strongest support that a man could ever find - a strong rock on which we can stand firm and defy our enemy.

Moses was referring to "the bosom of omnipotence" (words taken from Charles Spurgeon) where the believer could run for shelter and find safety. It is this place against which the gates of Hell cannot prevail. And Isaiah depicted Him as a great projecting "rock" which offered refreshing coolness and relief to all in the heat of battle.

David went so far as to include two prayers regarding the need of every believer for this "Rock" -

"Bow down Thine ear to me; deliver me speedily: be Thou my strong rock, for a house of defense to save me" (Psalm 31:2).
"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" (Psalm 61:2).

He acknowledged that God - for all generations - had been a "strong rock" for His people. But David wanted to make it personal - "be Thou my strong rock" - the One Who will shelter me from all my enemies who are set on my destruction. In order to do that - he prayed that God would take him to higher ground - to a place out of reach of his troubles, hindrances, and foes.

"For their rock is not as our Rock, even our enemies themselves being judges" (Deuteronomy 32:31).

Even our enemies know that their "rock" - the things in which they are placing their hope and trust - do not have the power and influence like our "Rock."

The question is - how can any Christian become "unmindful" and forget the God Who formed him? (Deuteronomy 32:18). How can he forget that it is from the Lord that all blessings flow?

"How is it that men soon forget the solid, the real, the substantial?...We forget the Rock so soon; We prefer the toy; we want something light, something that can be spoken trippingly on the tongue - an easy fluent nothing. We do not care to bow down the head to study, to criticism, to the examination, and estimation of evidence, and commit ourselves to the acceptance of sound conclusions...Let us turn to the real, to the substantial, to the very revelation of God's truth, and abide there..."

Who is superior?
"Their rock" or "our Rock"?

Never forget - all the "rocks" that the world has to offer bring doubt and confusion. The believer's "Rock" - none other than the Lord Jesus Christ - brings great certainty.

On which "rock" / "Rock" are you building your hope for the future?

Are you preferring "the toy" for "the Rock"?

May God Bless His Word,
Connie

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