Êxodo 17
F.B. Meyer · Citado em PreceptAustin
Êxodo 17
Meyer wrote - IF you essay to lead men, you will sooner or later come to a Rephidim. We are distinctly told that it was according to the commandment of the Lord that the children of Israel journeyed by stages from the wilderness of Sin, and pitched in Rephidim. The character of the worker is as dear to God as the work he is doing; and no pains must be spared by the Divine Artificer to complete the design to which He has set his hand. Do not be surprised then, Christian worker, if you find yourself landed in Rephidim. There are lessons to be learnt there of incalculable worth. (See the full chapter in Moses: Servant of God) A NO WATER TEST At Marah there was at least water for God to sweeten, but now the people see no water anywhere! Note that they are in the will of God in the sense they journeyed where He led. One can be in the center of His will and still be in the center of a trial! And there was no water for the people to drink - We do not want to underestimate their situation -- this is a serious trial to be in a desert and have no water. At Marah (Ex. 15:23+), the waters were bitter - they learned that they must trust the healing power of the LORD (Ex 15:26+) (Jehovah Rapha: (Jehovah Rophe) The LORD our Healer). At Rephidim, there was no water at all, and they must learn to trust the provision of the Lord for their needs.This was not an accident as if God had made a mistake in leading them by the pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night! (THOUGHT - Aren't we all just like Israel many times? God is clearly leading us step by step and yet in our self-centeredness we are sadly blind to His "pillars of fire"!) No, this was God purposefully, providentially directing Israel into a difficult, trying situation. And why was He doing this? One reason was that they would come to understand His power and provision in times of need or stress. This is a lesson we all need to learn and so clearly sometimes God allows testing circumstances in our life so that He might test us. How do we respond? Do we respond like Israel did when tested with bitter water, no food and now no water? Undoubtedly Israel was parched after journeying by stages in a relatively arid land. When I visited Israel, they warned you to stay hydrated lest you be adversely affected by dehydration and heat.
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Meyer - Hunger is bad enough to bear, but it affects only one organ of the body, whereas thirst sets the whole being on fire. It mounts to the brain and burns like fever in the blood. The little children were drooping like flowers; the cattle were on the verge of exhaustion, and lay panting on the ground. The scouts searched everywhere for water in vain, and came back with but one report, that there was no water anywhere to be found. (Exodus Commentary) David Thompson - According to verse 3, they started making up a crazy scenario that Moses had brought them out of Egypt to kill them and their children and their livestock with thirst. How bizarre is that? Do you really believe God delivered Israel from Egypt to take them to the wilderness so they could all die of thirst? This is theological lunacy. When people are out of fellowship with God, they typically end up saying and doing things that do not make anything better. In fact, they make things worse. God is leading these people to a land flowing with milk and honey, but before He would take them into that land, they needed to learn an important lesson; we can always depend on God. Before God pours out His ultimate blessings on His people, He wants them to learn this very important lesson.(Sermon) Robert Rayburn - Southerners say, “There ain’t much education in the second kick of a mule.” That is, if you didn’t learn the first time you are likely too dense to learn it the second. Recall the first time Israel grumbled against Moses (although "grumble" is not actually used that was the effect) after Pharaoh responded to Moses' appeal to let Israel go by intensifying the pressure on the Hebrew workers. When they (HEBREWS APPEALING TO PHARAOH TO LESSEN THE LOAD) left Pharaoh’s presence, they met Moses and Aaron as they were waiting for them. They said to them, “May the LORD look upon you and judge you, for you have made us odious in Pharaoh’s sight and in the sight of his servants, to put a sword in their hand to kill us.” (NOTE MOSES "REFLEX" WAS CRY OUT!) Then Moses returned to the LORD and said, “O Lord, why have You brought harm to this people? Why did You ever send me? (Ex 5:20-22+) They grumbled/complained against Moses again at the Red Sea and this time when Moses cried out, the LORD told him to "move out!" As Pharaoh drew near, the sons of Israel looked, and behold, the Egyptians were marching after them, and they became very frightened; so the sons of Israel cried out to the LORD. 11 Then they said to Moses, “Is it because there were no graves in Egypt that you have taken us away to die in the wilderness? Why have you dealt with us in this way, bringing us out of Egypt? 12 “Is this not the word that we spoke to you in Egypt, saying, ‘Leave us alone that we may serve the Egyptians’? For it would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the wilderness.” 13 But Moses said to the people, “Do not fear! Stand by and see the salvation of the LORD which He will accomplish for you today; for the Egyptians whom you have seen today, you will never see them again forever. 14“The LORD will fight for you while you keep silent.” 15 Then the LORD said to Moses, “Why are you crying out to Me? Tell the sons of Israel to go forward. (Ex 14:10-15+) And they grumbled against Moses - Or "Murmured". So just as with the first divine "water test" "the people grumbled at Moses, saying, “What shall we drink?” (Exodus 15:24+) The pattern of complaining is developing among the people of Israel (cf Ex. 14:11-12; Ex 15:24; Ex 16:2-3, 7, 12; Ex 17:3) Is this not a trap we all fall into and yet Paul gives us a clear command in the New Testament. But in the following passages notice first Paul gives us the provision of power which will enable us to obey the command and he also gives us a motivation we should seek to obey this command. THE PROVISION/POWER - So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out (present imperative - including obeying the command in Phil 2:14) your salvation with fear and trembling; 13 for (EXPLAINS HOW IT IS EVEN POSSIBLE TO WORK OUT OUR SALVATION) it is God Who is at work in you (THE HOLY SPIRIT CONTINUALLY SUPERNATURALLY ENERGIZING), both to will (HE GIVES US THE DESIRE) and to work (HE GIVES US THE POWER TO WORK) for His good pleasure. (Phil 2:12+, Phil 2:13NLT+) THE COMMAND - Do (present imperative - only possible as we rely on Phil 2:13NLT+. It is IM-possible, but is HIM-possible!) ALL (no exceptions!) things without grumbling (goggusmos) or disputing (dialogismos)(Phil 2:14+) THE MOTIVATION - So that you will prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world, (HOW DO WE SHINE IN CONTEXT? NOT GRUMBLING IN SITUATIONS MOST PEOPLE WOULD GRUMBLE - THEY WILL SEE IT AND WONDER "HOW CAN HE/SHE KEEP FROM GRUMBLING?!) (Phil 2:15+, cf Mt 5:14-16+) Tony Merida - They questioned God’s protection (Ex 17:3). They asked why God brought them out of Egypt. Was it to watch them die? We do this when we accuse God of trying to harm us in our trial. We should remember that He has brought us through a greater exodus; He is worthy of total trust. (Ibid) Matthew
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Meyer - I will stand before thee upon the rock in Horeb, and thou shalt smite the rock. Here is a beautiful example of the co-operation between God and his servants in providing for the needs of his people. Clearly the smiting of the rock was a very small item in this incident, the main consideration was what God was doing in the heart of the earth. But the two wrought together: Moses in the eyes of the people, God in hidden depths. Similarly we are fellow-workers with God. One of the greatest revelations that can come to any Christian worker is the realization that in every act of Christian ministry there are two agents, God and man: that God does not need to be implored to help us, but wants us to help Him; that our part is the very unimportant and subsidiary one of smiting the rock, whilst his is the Divine and all important part of making the waters flow. Did Moses go to the rock that day weighted with care, his brow furrowed with the anxiety of furnishing a river of which his people might drink? Certainly not; he had only to smite: God would do all the rest, and had pledged Himself to it. So, Christian worker, you have been worrying as though the whole weight of God’s inheritance were upon you, but you are greatly mistaken; smiting is very easy work. In every congregation and religious gathering the Holy Spirit is present, eager to glorify Christ, and to pour out rivers of living water for thirsty men; believe this. See that you are spiritually in a right condition, that He may be able to ally you with Himself. Keep reckoning on Him to do his share; and when the river is flowing, be sure not to take the praise. “We are workers together with God.” Exodus 17:1-7 Life to All Who Drink by Theodore Epp The water flowing from the rock indicates the provision for life. The psalmist said, "Behold, he smote the rock, that the waters gushed out, and the streams overflowed" (Ps. 78:20). The smitten rock pointed to the smitten Christ who paid the penalty of sin. The gushing streams of water picture the gracious supply of life through the Holy Spirit. God smote His Son and raised Him from the dead, thereby sending forth the life-giving stream, but man must come and drink. Although Jesus Christ has paid the penalty of sin for all (1 John 2:2), only those who personally receive Him as Saviour have forgiveness of sin and eternal life (John 1:12; 5:24). When God provides, He provides abundantly. When God provided water for the Israelites, the psalmist said, "He opened the rock, and the waters gushed out; they ran in the dry places like a river" (Ps 105:41). Concerning the life that the Lord Jesus Christ provides, He said, "I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly" (John 10:10). This coincides with the way Jesus compared the Spirit to the abundance of running water (John 4:14; 7:37,38). So the rock in the wilderness prefigured Jesus Christ. "But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life" (John 4:14). Exodus 17:1-7 Desert Pete The word which they heard did not profit them, not being mixed with faith. —Hebrews 4:2 In the 1960s, the Kingston Trio released a song called “Desert Pete.” The ballad tells of a thirsty cowboy who is crossing the desert and finds a hand pump. Next to it, Desert Pete has left a note urging the reader not to drink from the jar hidden there but to use its contents to prime the pump. The cowboy resists the temptation to drink and uses the water as the note instructs. In reward for his obedience, he receives an abundance of cold, satisfying water. Had he not acted in faith, he would have had only a jar of unsatisfying, warm water to drink. This reminds me of Israel’s journey through the wilderness. When their thirst became overwhelming (Ex. 17:1-7), Moses sought the Lord. He was told to strike the rock of Horeb with his staff. Moses believed and obeyed, and water gushed from the stone. Sadly, Israel would not consistently follow Moses’ example of faith. Ultimately, “the word which they heard did not profit them, not being mixed with faith” (Heb. 4:2). Drink deep of God’s goodness, His faithfulness too, Leave no room for doubting and fear; His Word is the water of life pure and true, Refreshing and cooling and clear. —Hess Only Jesus, the Living Water, can satisfy our thirst for God. Fellow Workers - We are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, you are God’s building. —1 Corinthians 3:9 When the time came for Moses to strike the rock in the desert to get water for the thirsty Israelites, his part was very small—just strike the rock. Anyone in Israel could have done it. The main thing was what God was doing in the heart of the earth to provide a bountiful river of water. But the two worked together: Moses before the people; God in the hidden depths of the earth. Moses and God were fellow workers. There are always two agents in every fruitful work: willing workers and a faithful God. The human part is to do whatever God has asked us to do—we are to strike the rock. God’s work is to make the water flow. Was Moses weighed down with anxiety that day as he approached the rock, thinking that he might fail? I doubt it. He had only to follow the Lord in obedience. God had promised to do the rest. And Moses had seen God work mighty miracles in the past. Just do your part and He’ll do His. “APART FROM ME, YOU CAN DO NOTHING.” —JESUS THE SMITTEN ROCK Exodus 17:1–7 - James Smith Paul says, “That Rock was Christ” (1 Cor. 10:4). So the type is clear. This was a rock in a wilderness, Christ is a rock in a weary land (Isa. 32:2). A rock speaks of shelter, safety, durability, strength. A careful examination of this portion reveals— I. A Condition of Desperate Need. 1. THEY DWELT IN A BARREN PLACE. “There was no water” (v. 1). This world of itself can never supply the wants of a human soul. All its cisterns are broken. Separated from the Cross of Christ, our abode is in “waste places.” The rebellious dwell in a dry land (Psa. 68:6). 2. THEIR SOULS WERE THIRSTY. “The people thirsted” (v. 3). When the thirst came the barrenness of the land was felt. When the Spirit of conviction and dearth takes possession of the soul, then the emptiness of the world’s pleasure wells is realised. This water of satisfaction cannot be got by digging; such work is worthless. Blessed are they that thirst after righteousness. II. An Unexpected Source of Supply. “There shall come out water” (v. 6). 1. IT CAME FROM A ROCK. Worldly wisdom could not by searching find out this method. Men can more easily expect fire from a rock. “Can any good thing come out of Nazareth” (John 1:46). My ways are not as your ways, saith the Lord (Isa. 55:8). 2. IT CAME FROM A GOD-POSSESSED ROCK. “will stand upon the rock” (v. 6). Pause and think of this. How very suggestive of the great Incarnation. God was in Christ (2 Cor. 5:19). The rock in Horeb of itself could do nothing, but God in the rock could do anything. The rock represents the human nature of the Lord Jesus, God on the rock, His divine power and Godhead. The source of our salvation is in God, the channel of communication is Jesus. He is “both Lord and Christ” (Acts 2:36). III. An Unlikely Means Used. 1. THE ROCK WAS TO BE SMITTEN. “Thou shalt smite the rock” (v. 6). This thought never originated in the heart of man, that salvation could be brought forth by smiting the anointed of God. “But He was wounded for our transgressions, with His stripes we are healed” (Isa. 53:5). The sword must awake against the man that was God’s fellow. Oh, worship the Lord! 2. THE ROCK WAS TO BE SMITTEN WITH A ROD. “Thy rod, wherewith thou smotest the river, take in thine hand” (v. 5). This was the rod of judgment that turned the river into blood, and the sign of God’s authority and power. “It pleased the Lord to bruise Him; HE hath put Him to grief” (Isa. 53:10). Concerning the sufferings of Christ we may truly say, “This is the Lord’s doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes” (Psa. 118:23). IV. A Merciful Provision Made. 1. THE SUPPLY WAS ABUNDANT. “The waters gushed out, and the streams overflowed” (Ps 78:18–20). “They did all drink the same spiritual drink.” When Christ, our Rock, was smitten, “forthwith came there out blood and water,” emblems of a full salvation, atonement, and cleansing. “We have redemption through His blood,” and cleansing through the washing of the Word. “Whosoever will may come and take of the water of life freely” (Rev. 22:17). 2. THE SUPPLY WAS FREE. “Ho, everyone that thirsteth, come ye” (Isa. 55:1). It was “without money and without price.” Thirst is the only condition, but it is indispensable to the enjoyment of the God-given waters of salvation. The apostle declares that the spiritual rock “followed them.” The Salvation of God in Christ is not only perfect in its character, but continuous in its application. The power of His atoning blood still follows the generations of men. Let us thank God that this saving rock has followed us. It is following you—drink and live! (Handfuls of Purpose) GOD MY ROCK - A E Phillips IN A WORLD of uncertainty and instability, nothing can be more precious than knowing and believing that God is one’s Rock. He only is the Rock, Ps. 18:31; 62:2. No other foundation is laid, 1 Cor. 3:11, for our souls’ salvation, and for faith to build upon, Mt 7:24. The world has its bogus rock-foundations, but “their rock is not as our Rock”; eventually this will be admitted by our enemies, Dt. 32:31. On their rock is the subtle serpent who can persuade his dupes that incohesive sand is solid rock, Pr. 30:19, but God will lay bare such a foundation, Mic. 1:6. Our Rock is our fortress, saving us from the assaults of our enemies, Ps 18:2–3, and causing us to stand upon the Rock while He makes all His goodness panoramically to pass before our souls, Ex 33:19–23. This is mercy from first to last. In the fearsome gales, we hide in the cleft of the rock, His hand covering us with warmth and tenderness, Ex. 33:22. In perplexity, it is well to utter our questionings to God, who is the Rock higher than we, Ps 42:9; 61:2. Then our hearts will confess, “He only is my Rock … I shall not be greatly moved”, Ps 62:2. Paul sees the Rock smitten in the wilderness as prefiguring Christ: “that Rock was Christ”, 1Cor. 10:4; Ex 17:6. It was consequent on the Lord’s being smitten for our sins, and being glorified, that the streams of the Spirit’s blessing came to us, John 7:39. Of the wilderness rock it is testified that “He opened the rock, and waters gushed out” as streams, Ps 105:41; 78:16. Of the Spirit’s effusion, it is asserted that He was poured forth, Acts 2:17–18, 33; 10:45; Titus 3:6. What fruitfulness is brought into the life, when the Spirit is allowed to minister Christ to the heart, Gal. 5:22. Yea, what sweetness is found in the Rock which is Christ, Ps 81:16. On the Rock, the Son of the living God, confessed by those who believe in Him, His church is founded, Matt. 16:16–18, so “Unto you therefore which believe he (the Stone) is precious”, 1 Pet. 2:7. (Day by Day in the Psalms) Exodus 17:7 He named the place Massah and Meribah because of the quarrel of the sons of Israel, and because they tested the LORD, saying, “Is the LORD among us, or not?” NET Exodus 17:7 He called the name of the place Massah and Meribah, because of the contending of the Israelites and because of their testing the LORD, saying, "Is the LORD among us or not?" NLT Exodus 17:7 Moses named the place Massah (which means "test") and Meribah (which means "arguing") because the people of Israel argued with Moses and tested the LORD by saying, "Is the LORD here with us or not?" KJV Exodus 17:7 And he called the name of the place Massah, and Meribah, because of the chiding of the children of Israel, and because they tempted the LORD, saying, Is the LORD among us, or not? ESV Exodus 17:7 And he called the name of the place Massah and Meribah, because of the quarreling of the people of Israel, and because they tested the LORD by saying, "Is the LORD among us or not?" NIV Exodus 17:7 And he called the place Massah and Meribah because the Israelites quarreled and because they tested the LORD saying, "Is the LORD among us or not?" He named the place Massah: Temptation, Nu 20:13 De 9:22 Meribah: Chiding or Strife, Ex 17:2 Ps 81:7 because of the quarrel of the sons of Israel: Ex 17:2 because they tested the LORD: Ps 95:8 Heb 3:8,9 Is the LORD among us, or not: Ex 34:9 De 31:17 Jos 22:31 Isa 12:6 Mic 3:11 Joh 1:14 Ac 7:37-39 Exodus 17 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries MOSES NAMES THE PLACE MASSAH AND MERIBAH Note one place with two names! This is very unusual and surely was to be a double reminder to Israel of the sin against Jehovah at Rephidim. In his final instructions before they entered the promised land Moses warned the congregation "“You shall not put the LORD your God to the test (nasah), as you tested Him at Massah." (Dt 6:16) He named the place Massah and Meribah because of the quarrel of the sons of Israel - The names speak of the sinful, rebellious acts of Israel. Names were very important in the OT and undoubtedly Moses wanted the people to hear these names and be reminded of their rebellious hearts, ultimately with the hope that such faithless actions would be avoided in the future (e.g., Moses alluded to Massah by name in his farewell address to the generation of Israel that would enter the promised land of Canaan - Dt 6:16, Dt 9:22, Dt 33:8). Unfortunately Israel did not do well at remembering because some 37 years later as the second generation was preparing to enter Canaan, they had another "no water" test at Kadesh (first was at Rephidim) and they failed again, so the place was called Meribah of Kadesh (cf Nu 27:14, Dt 32:51)! Memorial names don't work if we don't remember them and/or don't act in obedience! As described below quarrel can even mean a lawsuit. Imagine Israel bringing a "lawsuit" against the One "Who is to judge the living and the dead!" (2 Ti 4:1+)