Exodus 17:1-16
17:1 The children of Israel reach Rephidim but find that there is no water to drink. As we grow, we venture into new spheres of society: school, work and other social engagements. As we go out into the world we might find that we develop a thirst: a thirst for understanding. The children of Israel's physical thirst is representative of this.
17:2 The children of Israel exhibit the same frustrations we often do. They turn to anger and desperation before turning to prayer and God. Their fallback is fear rather than faith. Moses confronts their tendency to do that: "Why do you contend with me? Why do you tempt the Lord?" The question begs us to answer also. Why are we contending with physical things when through God we have power over them? Why do we not trust Him despite all of the promises He gives? Why do we not remember the ways He is already in our lives?
17:3 They continue to lament and whine. God has promised them a glorious future, has enabled them to make steps toward it and has provided and protected them along the way. Despite all of that, as soon as there is a wrinkle, they abandon the faith that He can iron it out.
17:4 Moses turns to the Lord and because of that, his fears and troubles are immediately heard and answered. The children of Israel were so angry that Moses was afraid they might stone him! One of the most beautiful things about the people we read about in the Bible is how imperfect they are... yet still they retain the love of our Lord. They're relatable!
Our own journey is an echo of theirs. Trust must be developed; faith must be maintained. We're fortunate enough to have the entire story written out for us... we know that God provides for their every need. Yet in the moment, their moment, during the long and arduous trek across the dry and barren region, faith was tremendously tested. Eventually, God's continued hope is that we will realize His consistency. He keeps coming through for us... straight and fiercely through all of our doubts.
17:5-6 God implements a plan for water. He is our living water, therefore He can certainly provide it:
John 4:14 "...but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life.”
John 7:38 "He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.”God instructs Moses to use the rock to strike the rock and He will make water come out of it. If God is your rock, your foundation, the living water will continually flow through you.
17:7 Moses names the place Massah: tempatation, and Meribah: contention after the children of Israel's experience there.
17:8 The people of Amalek came out and started a battle with the children of Israel. Moses did not panic; he gave orders to Joshua to create an army and fight back against the Amalekites.
17:9 Moses' plan is to stand at the top of the hill with the rod of God in his hand. Moses knows that as long as he clings to and relies on the power of God, they will continually prevail.
17:10-11 Moses lifts the rod and when he does, the children of Israel prevail. When he lowers the rod, they begin to lose. This is a metaphor of God's power in our lives. Give Him complete authority and you will win every battle. The less power you give Him, the less power you have over your opposition.
17:12 Moses grows tired from holding the rod up. We cannot fight these battles alone. A stone, a foundation is placed under Moses. It is a place where he can rest. God is our stone, our foundations, the place where we can rest. Even if the battle is long and difficult, He's going to provide us the power and spiritual comfort to overcome.
17:13 And indeed, because of God's direction, Joshua's army defeats the Amalekites.
17:14-16 Upon God's request, Moses builds an altar from which to worship God. It is a memorial of God's promise to fight our wars for us.
