METAPHOR
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PARALLEL
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| A Rock is a firm and an immovable thing, good for a foundation: “He is like a man which built an house, and laid the foundation on a rock,” Luke 6:48. That which is built upon a Rock, stands sure in a tempestuous and stormy season: “And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock,” Matthew 7:25. |
The Lord Christ is a firm and sure foundation: “and upon this rock I will build my church,” Matthew 16:18. “Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone,” Isaiah 28:16. “For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ,” 1 Corinthians 3:11. The Church being built upon Christ, the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. Whosoever lays the stress and structure of his salvation upon this foundation, the power of hell and rage of devils shall never be able to subvert and destroy. This made the apostle to break forth in that holy triumph, Romans 8:31-39. |
| Rocks in ancient times were made use of for habitations; people dwelt in them, as well as built upon them; they hewed out houses or habitations in Rocks, Isaiah 22:16, Jeremiah 48:28. |
God in Christ is a believer’s spiritual habitation; they, like the dove, make their nest in the cliffs of the rock, Psalms 91:9. “He that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him,” 1 John 4:16. |
| A rock is an high place; though they have their root low and deep, yet their tops being high and soaring, are lifted far above the surface of the earth. |
Christ, our rock, is high in respect of the dignity of his Person; he is the high God. He was lower than men in the state of his humiliation, yet far higher and more glorious than the angels. He is high in respect of his dwelling-place, being exalted far above all heavens; high in respect of his power and sovereignty, having absolute dominion over devils, angels and men. |
| Rocks being high, or eminent places for height, they are exceeding useful to take pleasant prospects; from hence one may see afar off: “For from the top of the rocks I see him,” Numbers 23:9. |
He that by faith ascends upon the top of this spiritual Rock, may take a better prospect and survey of heaven, than Moses could of Canaan, when he stood upon the top of Pisgah. He sees most of god, and the glory of the other world, that stands upon the Rock Christ. |
| Rocks are strong, and were made use of for defense; they are cannon-proof; no fortifications like some Rocks; they are impregnable: David for security came into a Rock, 1 Samuel 13:6. |
God in Christ is the godly man’s refuge. He that makes God his defense, or flies to Christ for refuge, needs not fear devils, nor wicked men, nor what all the powers of hell can do unto him, Psalms 89:26 and 94:22. |
| Rocks are durable, permanent, and lasting; there is no removing a rock; they grow not weak with age, but continue the same from one generation to another. |
The Lord Jesus hath the stability of a Rock in him. He is the Rock of ages; “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever,” Hebrews 13:8. He grows not weak; as in years, so his strength decays not. |
| Rocks yield honey: “and with honey out of the rock should I have satisfied thee,” Psalms 81:16. |
All sweet peace and comfort proceed from the Rock Christ. His promises are “sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb,” Psalms 19:10. |
| Rocks yield the purest water. Most pleasant springs proceed from them. No water, says the naturalist, is so clear, as that which comes crystallized through rocks. |
That celestial stream, spring, and river of comfort, the Spirit, proceeds from the throne of God, and the Lamb, Revelation 22:1. From this Rock, saith a worthy writer, the clear and crystalline streams of living water bubble forth. |
| Precious stones and jewels are but as it were the sweat of rocks. All rich mines of gold and silver (as is evident from that in Job) are in and among Rocks. |
In Christ are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge, all the graces of the Spirit, (which are compared to, but far more excellent than gold, pearl, or precious stones) are only to be found in this spiritual Rock. |
| Rocks yield oil: “and the rock poured me out rivers of oil,” Job 29:6. And in another place it said, God made Israel to “suck honey out of the rock, and oil out of the flinty rock,” Deuteronomy 32:13. |
Christ affords us store of precious oil; the Spirit is so called, with which the godly are all more of less anointed: we have received an unction from the Holy One. No oil like that which comes from this Rock. |
| Rocks afford a very sweet and refreshing shadow in hot countries, to weary travelers. |
Christ is “as the shadow of a great rock in a weary land,” Isaiah 32:2. He keeps off all the hot scorching beams of the wrath of God, and hell. |
| Rocks are dangerous to stumble at, or to fall on, especially to fall from. When men get up almost to the top of a high and mighty rock, and suddenly through want of care fall down, such are broken to pieces, and perish inevitably. |
Christ is a Rock of offence, many stumble at him, and fall on him, and some fall from him, all whose state is very sad: for when men fall from this Rock, having gotten up very high by a speculative knowledge, and profession, they fall suddenly to the lowest hell. |
