How do we know the rock in Exodus represents Christ?

In Exodus 17, Moses strikes the rock to provide water, which is a direct foreshadowing of the sacrifice of Christ. Paul explicitly states in 1 Corinthians 10:4 that 'that rock was Christ,' elucidating that the rock not only served a physical purpose during the Israelites' journey but also symbolized Christ, who would be struck for our redemption. This typology underscores the interconnectedness of the Old and New Testaments, illustrating that God's redemptive plan was evident long before Christ manifested in the flesh.