One of the things I like most about the Bible is that it often uses common objects to illustrate Biblical truth. In scripture, rock is often used as a metaphor for God in several passages such as:
He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress where I will not be shaken. Psalm 62:5-7
My victory and honor come from God alone. He is my refuge, a rock where no enemy can reach me. Psalm 62:6-8
But the LORD is my fortress; my God is the mighty rock where I hide. Psalm 94:21-23
No one is holy like the LORD! There is no one besides you; there is no Rock like our God. 1 Samuel 2:1-3
For who is God except the LORD? Who but our God is a solid rock?
2 Samuel 22:31-33
Obviously, He is trying to teach us something about his nature through the word rock. When I think of the word rock, a small piece of hard substance is what comes to mind. Yes, I’m acquainted with rocks. They are what are piled into a hole in my driveway. It’s a rock that I quickly grab to scare away an encroaching dog. Rocks are what my car drives over to get into my yard. Yep, they are what little visiting hands toss across the yard during play. Those rocks are easily moved by human manipulation but offer little height to stand upon and little protection.
Now that can not be the rock that is synonymous with God. But is that the picture of rock you see when speaking of God? A quick dictionary check for the word rock reveals that it is a large mass of stone forming a hill, cliff, promontory, or the like. Through some additional research, I discovered two Hebrew words that are used for rock in the Bible:
tsur: massive rock. This word is used for boulders or formations of stone and for materials which composes mountains.
sela: “split-rock”, cleft rock.
Now we see a better view of just who God is saying that He is. The rocks my natural mind conceive are better considered pebbles than rocks. He is one who is:
- Solid substance
- A place of hiding/protection
- Higher than I
- Eternal
- The chief cornerstone
- A stone which causes some to stumble
- Foundation of our salvation
photo credit: ecstaticist via photo pincc
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Yes, HE is, our ROCK! What an inspirational post! Praises!
Every so often, I need the reminder that He alone is my rock. Throughout our lives, things/stuff has a way of being moved about but the Lord our rock stands forever.
Hello Wanda,and what a good word this is!God is our rock,I love it!
Thanks for your visit love you 🙂
Hi Ms Pat, love you. Always a pleasure to stop in to your place. Have a great weekend.
This is a perfect ending to this day, Wanda. It is my reminder that He is my ever-secure, ever-steady foundation, and makes me call to mind a verse speaks to my heart and always remove my fears: Trust in the Lord always, for the Lord God is the eternal Rock. – Isaiah 26:4. I thank You, Lord, and praise You, for being my rock, my shelter, my protection.
LaVonne, you’re like a treasure trove girl you find and share some of the richest scriptures. Lately He’s the truth of His steadfast and lasting qualities have been rooted in heart more and more.
God’s word speaks to us and gives us strength.
Indeed it does Wanda!
Hi Wanda –
Thank you. I enjoyed reading this piece, especially the descriptions that you cited for our Lord.
Yes, this piece rocked me steady.
Thank you Sandra. Love your play on the rock 🙂
Excellent post, Wanda. I have to admit, the rock I envisioned was bigger than a pebble but not as big as a the foundation of a mountain. You paint us an unforgettable mental picture of God. Blessings!
That’s great Pam that you envisioned more than a pebble and in truth I did too but they way I behaved when encountering certain circumstances in life showed that I treated God like he was a pebble at times instead of massive and unmoveable like the mountain.
Amen and Amen…on Christ the Solid Rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand.
I had never heard the Hebrew words for rock. It does help give us a better picture of God. I especially like knowing God is solid and He can not be moved. He is like a protective cleft where I can find protection.
Yes, He is finding those two definitions really helped me to the faucets of Him differently. Like you said, I can stand on Him but I also have access into the rock which hides and protects me.
Truthful specie of the god is always best !
Having a proper view of God matters for sure Keaton.
The images are powerful and make the message hit home. That’s the best.
Thank you Nikki. Isn’t it amazing that God takes the time to use such imagery to cement who He is into our hearts and minds?
I’m so thankful for God my Rock, especially when I am about to crumble!!
Hi Jarm, even when we and everything around us is crumbling, He remains our eternal rock.