Numbers - Chapter 20

We have in this chapter more grumbling by the people; this time because there was no water for them to drink.  A similar thing had happened 40 years earlier and at that time God had instructed Moses to strike a rock with his staff and water came out.

In 1 Corinthians 10 we see that the rock and the water represent Jesus:

"Moreover, brethren, I do not want you to be unaware that all our fathers were under the cloud, all passed through the sea, all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea, all ate the same spiritual food, and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them, and that Rock was Christ."

On this second occasion Moses is told to talk to the rock, rather than strike it; but he does not follow these instructions and strikes the rock as he had done before.  Water comes out but God is displeased and tells Moses that he would not lead the people into the promised land.

By striking the rock on the second occasion, Moses does not correctly illustrate Jesus.  Jesus came to the world and was struck down.  He will come again but when he returns he will come in power and glory and will not be smitten a second time.