Why is understanding the smiting of the rock significant?

Understanding the smiting of the rock is crucial because it symbolizes the death of Christ on the cross. In Exodus 17, God commanded Moses to smite the rock, which represented Christ being struck for the sins of His people. This event illustrates that just as the rock was smitten to provide water, Christ was smitten to provide salvation. The once-only act of smiting emphasizes that Christ's sacrifice is sufficient for all believers—there is no need for repeated sacrifices, as His death fully satisfied the demands of God’s justice.