Did God tell Moses to strike the rock or to speak to it in Numbers 20?
In Numbers 20, God instructed Moses to take his rod, gather the assembly with Aaron, and speak to the rock before the people's eyes. The command was to speak, not strike, and the rock would give forth water, so God's instruction was clear.
Les explains that in Numbers 20, after many years of wilderness journeying and with no water, the congregation complained against Moses and Aaron. Moses and Aaron went to the tabernacle, fell on their faces, and the glory of the Lord appeared. The Lord told Moses to take his rod, gather the assembly with Aaron, and speak to the rock before their eyes. Les emphasizes the word "speak"—underline it—because God commanded Moses to speak to the rock, not strike it. The rock would give forth water. Les also reminds us that the Rock is Christ.
Take the rod, and gather thou the assembly together, thou, and Aaron thy brother, and speak ye unto the rock before their eyes; and it shall give forth his water, and thou shalt bring forth to them water out of the rock: so thou shalt give the congregation and their beasts drink.