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Warren Wiersbe · Citado em PreceptAustin
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Wiersbe - On the map of our lives, how many places ought to be named "Testing and Quarreling" because of the way we've complained about our circumstances and failed to trust God? It's one thing to sit comfortably in church and sing "All the way my Savior leads me, what have I to ask beside?' and quite something else to be confronted with distress and disappointment and meekly say, "Not my will but Thine be done." Corrie ten Boom used to say, "Don't bother to give God instructions; just report for duty." (Ibid) Phillip Ryken - This is something else we have seen before: All our dissatisfaction shows that we are disappointed with God. To put it another way, all our complaints go straight to the top, where God rules the universe by his sovereign power. Whatever the reason for our discontent, what it really shows is that we are not satisfied with what God has given us. This is a great sin. It is not wrong to take our troubles to God, talking them over with him in prayer. In fact, the Bible encourages us to be honest about our doubts and difficulties. But God does not accept open revolt against his holy will or the refusal to trust in his perfect word. (PW-Ex) G Campbell
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Wiersbe notes: It’s sad when a nation (or a church) forgets its heroes and the providential events that have kept it alive. How easy it is for a new generation to come along and take for granted the blessings that previous generations struggled and sacrificed to attain! The Jews didn’t make that mistake but established the Feast of Purim? (see note) to remind their children year after year that God had saved Israel from destruction. There’s nothing wrong with meaningful tradition. The church is always one generation short of extinction; and if we don’t pass on to our children and grandchildren what God has done for us and our fathers, the church will die of apathy and ignorance. “Come, you children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of Jehovah” (Ps 34:11+ - Ed note: Have you ever prayed "Lord, teach me the fear of Jehovah? Consider making this a prayer as you ponder the spiritual fruit that such a prayer will surely yield considering God's promise in 1 Jn 5:15,16+ - Pr 1:7, 9:10, Job 28:28, Eccl 12:13, 14, Ps 111:10+; Ps 25:14+, etc). It’s when tradition gradually becomes traditionalism that we get into trouble. Theologian Jaroslav Pelikan said, “Tradition is the living faith of the dead; traditionalism is the dead faith of the living. (from his commentary long and take for granted the blessings that previous generations struggled and sacrificed to attain! The Jews didn’t make that mistake but established the Feast of Purim to remind their children year after year that God had saved Israel from destruction (Be committed. An Old Testament Study. Ruth and Esther. Wheaton, Ill.: Victor Books) Related Resources: Who was Haman the Agagite? What is the Feast of Purim? Note this principle is commanded by God Himself in (Ex 17:14). Pastor Ray Stedman has some thought provoking comments on Queen Esther and Haman in a sermon entitled The Price of Survival. See also Ray Stedman's nine part sermon series on Esther: A Pair of Queens Esther 1 - 2 The Struggle for Power Esther 3 Good Grief Esther 4 Soul and Spirit Esther 5 The Price of Survival Esther 6 Haman's Last Supper Esther 7 The Law of the Spirit Esther 8 The Sweet Taste of Victory A Day to Remember Esther 9:17-10:3 Exodus 17:8 When Life Isn't Fair by Dr. Woodrow Kroll Now Amalek came and fought with Israel in Rephidim. Chris was a young father of four. He had grown up in a Christian home, received Christ as his Savior at a young age, lived a healthy lifestyle and demonstrated a consistent Christian testimony. It was a complete shock when he was diagnosed with cancer. There was no reason for this to happen...except that life isn't fair. The Israelites also found themselves being treated unfairly. For no apparent reason, a nomadic tribe known as the Amalekites chose to attack them. They had no quarrel with these people, yet for the next several hundred years, off and on, Israel was the object of the Amalekites' hatred and harassment. Life isn't fair. Fortunately, we have a sovereign God who is able to overrule all circumstances (Rom. 8:28). After three years of treatments, Chris finally recovered. Israel eventually destroyed the Amalekites. Life is not fair, but God is. Sooner or later, God will see that justice is served. It may not be as soon as we would like; it may not be in the way we expect; but God will never be unfair. David declared, "Upon the wicked He will rain coals, fire and brimstone and a burning wind; this shall be the portion of their cup" (Ps. 11:6). Perhaps you also are experiencing unfair treatment. It might be a coworker who delights in making life difficult for you. It may be a health problem that is keeping you from reaching your fullest potential. Maybe it's an automobile the garage has "fixed" a dozen times, and yet it still doesn't run right. Trust God with your situation. Be patient and let Him work out a solution to your predicament. You may find life unfair, but God never is. Life is not fair, but God is. Exodus 17:9 So Moses said to Joshua, “Choose men for us and go out, fight against Amalek. Tomorrow I will station myself on the top of the hill with the staff of God in my hand.” Amplified: And Moses said to Joshua, Choose us out men and go out, fight with Amalek. Tomorrow I will stand on the top of the hill with the rod of God in my hand. NET Exodus 17:9 So Moses said to Joshua, "Choose some of our men and go out, fight against Amalek. Tomorrow I will stand on top of the hill with the staff of God in my hand." NLT Exodus 17:9 Moses commanded Joshua, "Choose some men to go out and fight the army of Amalek for us. Tomorrow, I will stand at the top of the hill, holding the staff of God in my hand." KJV Exodus 17:9 And Moses said unto Joshua, Choose us out men, and go out, fight with Amalek: to morrow I will stand on the top of the hill with the rod of God in mine hand. ESV Exodus 17:9 So Moses said to Joshua, "Choose for us men, and go out and fight with Amalek. Tomorrow I will stand on the top of the hill with the staff of God in my hand." NIV Exodus 17:9 Moses said to Joshua, "Choose some of our men and go out to fight the Amalekites. Tomorrow I will stand on top of the hill with the staff of God in my hands." Numbers 31:3,4 The staff - Ex 4:2,20 Exodus 17 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries See Joshua - Portrait of the Man God Uses Joshua Fighting Amalekites in Exodus 17 JOSHUA TO FIGHT MOSES TO SIT Choose men for us and go out, fight against Amalek - Choose is a command to take a keen look and make a careful, well-thought out choice, in this context choosing men who were capable of fighting. Why would such discernment be necessary? At this stage, Israel could hardly be described as a seasoned fighting force., for Israel had lived hundreds of years as slaves in Egypt. And when the Egyptians came to destroy them, God fought and they watched in amazement! Morgan in fact says that "“In their first movement God led them in such a way as to avoid the possibility of war (Ex 13:17). Now they were involved in war.” So the "odds" of finding battle ready Israelis was basically "zero" which would have weighed the balance of power even more in Amalekites favor. The Septuagint adds the adjective dunatos (mighty, possessing inherent ability to perform some task - i.e., in this case to fight) as a qualification for the men Joshua is to choose..."choose mighty men for us". Joshua's assignment was to muster a task force. Clearly this was part of God's way of grooming Joshua to be the future military leader of Israel as they entered the promised land where warfare would be necessary to possess their possessions. To be a leader Joshua needed the ability to discern qualities in others that would be of value in completing the task (in this case war). What principle do we see in this request? Moses is "mentoring" or better discipling Joshua, preparing him to take over as leader of Israel. A mentor/disciple maker is a "trusted counselor or guide" who comes alongside not to control, but to advise and to serve as a source of wisdom and counsel gently guiding one through the obstacles of the Christian life. The Church today needs to heed the command of Jesus to make disciples (aorist imperative - Just do it!!!) (Mt 28:19+). Paul was a the spiritual father to such young men as Timothy and Titus, both of whom he referred to as "sons" and in the classic Pauline passage on making disciples exhorted young Timothy "You therefore, my son, be strong (present imperative = continually be enabled by the Spirit Who dispenses) the grace that is in Christ Jesus. The things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust (aorist imperative - Just do it!!!) these to faithful (pistos - trustworthy) men who will be able (hikanos = meet the standard) to teach others also. (2 Ti 2:1-2+) THOUGHT - Dear reader, if you a mature believer, perhaps you need to find someone to disciple Or if you are a new Christian, you would be well advised to seek out the companionship of a believer who demonstrates by the fruit in his life that he has a dynamic relationship with Christ. This has always been God's pattern for Spiritual Leadership 101. What a dynamic body the Church of Jesus Christ would be if all the "Moses" sought out the "Joshuas" to mentor and disciple. In short, every Christian should either be mentored or be a mentor (disciple maker). How are you doing? Related Resources: Make Disciples 1 Make Disciples 2 - Begins study of Five Most Important Passages for Believers Make Disciples 3 - Chart comparing Filled with the Spirit and the Word Make Disciples 4 Make Disciples 5 Make Disciples 6 Make Disciples 7 Make Disciples 8 Back again to Exodus 17 we find that when Moses was faced with a deadly enemy, he responded quickly, giving commands and instructions to his trusted servant Joshua. THOUGHT - When we are confronted by sudden, unexpected attack from our mortal enemies, the world, the flesh and the devil, do we respond by quickly seeking our "Joshua", our Jesus? Ligon Duncan makes an excellent observation and application - Now, in this passage if you look at verse 9 you’ll note that unlike at the Red Sea, God instructs the people to play an active role in their own defense. At the Red Sea, the people of God were to stand still and see the salvation of the Lord (Ex 14:13+) Here at Rephidim the people are to have an appointed army to respond to the Amalekites and they themselves must be faithful in defending Israel against the attackers. Isn't it interesting how even in the Pentateuch, even in the Torah, even in the first five books of the Bible, there is a nice balance between the active and the passive elements of the believing life. There is the passive element of depending upon the Lord, trusting in the Lord, resting in the Lord, watching the Lord work, depending on His power, and there is the active element of doing the responsible things that God calls us to do. Both of those elements are part of healthy Christian growth. If you have a totally passive approach to the Christians life, you’ll be in "the let go and let God" camp (ED: A better and balanced "camp" is "Let God and let's go"). You will sort of sit in the pew and see what He's going to do. If you’re in the totally active camp, then you will have a hard time trusting on Him to do it and you will be trying to figure out the way you are going to do it for Him. There is a balance in the Christian life between depending on God and on acting in accordance with those things He has called us to do, and you see that balance even here as the children of Israel are called to play an active roll in their own defense. (Sermon) Joshua means "Jehovah is salvation" or "Jehovah is Help" and the Septuagint translates the Hebrew with Iesous the NT word for Jesus. Ex 17:9 marks the first mention of Joshua in Scripture. He would have been about 45 years of age and had served as Moses’ aide-de-camp (Ex 24:13, 33:11; 32:17; Josh 1:1). It should be noted that at this time in Israel's sojourn Joshua's name was still Hoshea, (variously defined as "to give deliverance or help" or as "salvation") and was later changed to Joshua at Kadesh (Kadesh-Barnea) just before the 12 spies were sent on a reconnaissance mission into the promised land of Canaan (Nu 13:16). We know that Joshua was a man of faith, for he and Caleb were the only two of the twelve spies who brought back an encouraging report of the promised land they were sent to spy out. This field training against the Amalekites was undoubtedly preparation for Joshua as he led the Israelites against the pagan enemies in Canaan. Even as God had trained Moses for his work, He was now training Joshua to succeed him. THOUGHT - What is God training you for right now remembering that you are His workmanship created in Christ Jesus for good works which He prepared beforehand that you should walk in them (Eph 2:10+)? Do the trials seem to never end, to be without an obvious purpose? Could it be that God is training you in and through the trial? (cf Jas 1:2-4,12+) God does not waste the obstacles in our lives but desires that we might see them as opportunities to grow in grace and the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be (present imperative = command to make this our lifestyle attitude to be) steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord. (1Co 15:58+) Adam
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Wiersbe adds) "Israel had a long way to go before they would qualify as a godly nation. So far, every new trial they experienced only brought out the worst in them." (The Bible Exposition Commentary – Pentateuch) Rod Mattoon - Since their departure from Egypt, the Hebrews have faced several trials. They needed to learn that their extremities were God's opportunities. A Blocking Sea was parted (ED: God sovereignly hardened Pharaoh's heart to pursue Israel - Ex 14:4-10, 16-20, 21, 22, 23-30, 31). Bitter water was purified (ED: Ex 15:22, 23, 24, 25, 26 = Jehovah Rapha = The LORD your Healer). Bread from Heaven was provided for their hunger (ED: Ex 16:3-30, 31) . God has enrolled His people into the School of Hard Knocks to knock off the rough edges in their lives. Their classes are in Faith 101, and Trials & Tribulations 401. So far, they are not making very good grades. They are not learning their lessons well. Are you? God's people are faced again with another assignment, another trial and problem. They are running on empty. Wiersbe - The congregation had thirsted before (Ex 15:22+) and God had met their needs, but, like people today, they forgot God’s mercy. After all, if they were in the place of God’s leading, it was His responsibility to take care of them. The people criticized Moses and murmured against God, a sin about which we are warned in 1 Cor. 10:1–12. They were actually “tempting (testing) the Lord” by their attitude, for they were saying that God did not care and that He would not help them. They were trying His patience by their repeated complaints. (Wiersbe Expository Outlines of the Old Testament) Then all the congregation of the sons of Israel journeyed by stages from the wilderness of Sin (Wikipedia article; See Map - mentioned 4x = Ex 16:1, 17:1, Nu 33:11, 12) - They did not just pack up and make one major trip to Mount Sinai; they moved and camped at various places. In these stages Israel had "a pillar of cloud by day to lead them on the way, and in a pillar of fire by night to give them light, that they might travel by day and by night", which was a manifestation of God's Shekinah glory (Ex 13:21, 22+). In Ex 14:19+ the pillar is identified with God Himself, Moses recording that "The Angel of God (Whom I believe was the preincarnate Christ - see Angel of the LORD), who had been going before the camp of Israel, moved and went behind them; and the pillar of cloud moved from before them and stood behind them." God had freed them from slavery and now was guiding them to the inheritance He had prepared for Israel, the same pattern He uses in our lives beloved. Are you letting Him guide you as the hymn writer says "Out of my bondage, sorrow, and night, Jesus, I come! Jesus, I come! Into Thy freedom, gladness, and light, Jesus, I come to Thee!" Jehovah gave Israel these visible signs, just as He has given us His visible Word to show us the way as we trust and obey, for there is no other way to be happy in Jesus than to trust and obey! THOUGHT - Just as He did for Israel, God still guides our Starts and our Stops! (especially if we yield to His Spirit). So now as believers we have the Spirit of Christ within us to lead us, Paul writing that "all who are being led (present tense = continually; passive voice = we must choose to yield to His leading = divine passive) led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God" (Ro 8:14+) and "if you are led (present tense = continually; passive voice again = divine passive) by the Spirit, you are not under the Law." (Gal 5:18+). In need of God's guidance today? Confess any known sins that might quench the Spirit (1 Th 5:19+) or grieve the Spirit (Eph 4:30+) Then take a moment and sing the great hymn Guide me, O Thou great Jehovah as your earnest prayer to God... Guide me, O Thou great Jehovah, Pilgrim through this barren land. I am weak, but Thou art mighty; Hold me with Thy powerful hand. Bread of heaven, Bread of heaven, Feed me now and evermore; Feed me now and evermore. Open now the crystal fountain, Whence the healing waters flow; Let the fire and cloudy pillar Lead me all my journey through. Strong Deliverer, Strong Deliverer, Be Thou still my Strength and Shield. Be Thou still my Strength and Shield. When I tread the verge of Jordan, Bid my anxious fears subside; " Bear me thro’ the swelling current, Land me safe on Canaan’s side; Songs of praises, songs of praises I will ever give to Thee, I will ever give to Thee. NET Note on journeyed by stages - Since the verb form (and therefore the derived noun) essentially means to pull up the tent pegs and move along, this verse would be saying that they traveled by stages, or, from place to place. Stages (04550)(massa from nasa = to pull out tent pegs, break camp) breaking camp, a pulling up, setting out, a journey. The main idea of massaʿ is that of a group of people gathering up movable property (perhaps with the picture of pulling out tent stakes) and setting out for a new geographical location. This is a permanent move of the household and property, as opposed to travel in general. It can denote the seasonal cyclic travel of pastoral nomads or the movement of a more sedentary population. Massa - 12x in 11v - journey(1), journeys(7), order of march(1), set(2), stages(1). Gen. 13:3; Ex 17:1; Ex 40:36; Ex. 40:38; Nu 10:2; Nu 10:6; Nu 10:12; Nu 10:28; Nu 33:1; Nu 33:2; Dt. 10:11 According to the command of the LORD - In Ex 15:22 it says "Moses led Israel" but led there carries the sense of "caused" so there stop at Marah was no accident. Men's extremities are God's opportunities -- to show Himself faithful, good and kind to His creatures. Here it says command of the LORD, not at the command of Moses, their leader. Not after a vote of the elders. But based on the wisdom of Jehovah, period! Literally this reads "at the mouth of Yahweh." (Septuagint has rhema for command). The text does not tell us exactly how this command was manifest -- was it an audible voice or was it the leading of the pillar by day and fire by night? Either way the Israelites were clearly directed here by the LORD. God led them to Rephidim, and knew along what was going to happen - so it is with our lives as well. Some of the places to which God brings us in our journey are difficult (even places that are named "rests" as was Rephidim!) Israel was truly following the leading of God. THOUGHT - While all Israel clearly was not saved, here we see an important principle in their lives, one we all do well to imitate and emulate. Paul alludes to this in Ro 8:14+ writing that "all who are (continually) being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God." In Galatians he says "t if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law.." (Gal 5:18+) Who is your leader in your day to day journey by stages? And camped at Rephidim - Note that Rephidim was near the wilderness of Sinai as discerned from Exodus 19:2 ("they set out from Rephidim, they came to the wilderness of Sinai") and Nu 33:15 ("journeyed from Rephidim and camped in the wilderness of Sinai") and the Horeb (Sinai) range of mountains as noted in Ex 17:6 "I will stand before you there on the rock at Horeb." We know from a more detailed itinerary in Numbers 33 that Israel also camped at Dophkah and Alush before they camped at Rephidim They journeyed from the wilderness of Sin and camped at Dophkah. 13 They journeyed from Dophkah and camped at Alush. 14 They journeyed from Alush and camped at Rephidim; now it was there that the people had no water to drink. (Nu 33:12-14) Mattoon has an interesting note - Notice the meaning of these three places. They remind us of the deeds of a baker as he prepares his bread. In this case, a Divine Baker. Dophkah = to knock or beat. Alush = to knead as dough. Rephidim = to spread out, to rest or support. God wanted Rephidim to be a place of rest and resting in His care. Beloved true rest comes from within and it is a gift from the Lord...As a baker prepares pies, bread, cakes, or cookies, God was preparing His people for the sweetness of His blessings. When the baker prepares to cook, he will pound the dough, knead it, roll it out flat and cut it. It is interesting to note that before the Hebrews arrived at Rephidim they went to Dophkah, then Alush, and then Rephidim. (Treasures from Exodus, Volume 2) In providentially presenting Israel with a "no water test" God’s design was to wean them of every earthly dependence, to teach them to trust Him, but sadly their response was one of murmuring and of questioning the faithfulness of God. In Deuteronomy Moses writes “He led you through the great and terrible wilderness, with its fiery serpents and scorpions and thirsty ground where there was no water; He brought water for you out of the Rock of flint. (Dt 8:15) Rephidim (07508)(rephidim) means resting place or camping place and was a station in the wilderness between the Wilderness of Sin and the Wilderness of Sinai. Rephidim has been variously identified with the locations Wadi Refayid and Wadi Feiran, but this is speculation. Rephidim - 5x in OT - Exod. 17:1; Exod. 17:8; Exod. 19:2; Num. 33:14; Num. 33:15 Related Resources: Wikipedia on Rephidim F B
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Wiersbe says they were quarrelling with Moses "Because their hearts were still in Egypt! They were guilty of ingratitude and unbelief, wanting to go back to the old life; and as a result, they again failed to pass the test." (Ibid) Tony Merida - They demanded water to drink. We do this when we make demands on God at home or in the church, insisting that He work on our terms. There are times we must wait on the Lord patiently. (Exalting Jesus in Exodus) ESV Study note observes that "After experiencing the plagues, the crossing of the Red Sea, and the Lord’s provision of both water (Ex 15:25, 27) and food (Ex 16:13-14), the people of Israel show a hardness of heart like Pharaoh and the Egyptians, which is precisely how Ps 95:7-9 describes these events." (ESV Study Bible, The: English Standard Version) David Thompson - The Israelites had a faith in God that said unless we can see it right now, we don’t believe it and we won’t believe it. Now let’s remember Paul in 1 Corinthians 10:6,11; these things are given as examples to us because we are just like Israel. We see God provide things and do good things for us time and time again and then something comes up and we doubt God and fret and start grumbling and stop trusting. In verse 2, Moses said, “why are you quarreling with me?” “Why do you test the LORD?” He is reminding the Israelites that again they have fallen into the same rut in that they are complaining against God because Moses was simply following the direction of God. Now by this point in their relationship with God, Israel should have known God never has let us down. When we were backed up against the Red Sea, God delivered us. When we were without food, God provided for us. They should have reasoned now that we are out of water we know God will take care of that, too. But that is not how these people responded. (Sermon) Quarreled (07378)(riyb) means to strive, plead, contend, conduct a lawsuit, make a charge. It is interesting that most uses of this verb have a legal setting, such as when someone feels wronged and accuses another of breaking an agreement or going against the community standards in some way. In the present context it is as if the nation is bringing a legal case against Moses, contending with him as one would do in a lawsuit. It is interesting that riyb is a prominent word in the prophets' declarations describing God's litigation against Israel! Here they are doing the litigating so speak against His leader and thus against God. Riyb is the origin of the related noun (riv/rib/riyb) which described disputes like the one between Jacob and Laban (Ge 13:7-8; Ge 26:20-21; Ge 31:36). Later in Exodus riyb describes interpersonal conflict that might lead to blows between two men (Ex 21:18). It is also notable that riyb forms the basis of the name Meribah (see note below) used in Ex 17:7. So the name of the place "Meribah" was a wordplay on strive or quarrel The Septuagint (Lxx) translates riyb) with the verb loidoreo which means to rail at someone, to revile them and thus depicts the Israelites as hurling verbal abuse (can even mean curse, speak evil) at Moses. The imperfect tense indicates they were reviling him again and again, over and over. Imagine how Moses must have felt! QUARRELING WITH MOSES IS TESTING THE LORD And Moses said to them, “Why do you quarrel with me? Why do you test the LORD?” - We discover in Ex 17:7 that one aspect of their "test" was their question "Is the LORD among us, or not?" They were quarreling with Moses who was the intermediary with God, but their real problem was with Moses' God! Israel was in essence putting God on trial for abandoning them and breaking His promises (which of course was totally untrue).
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Wiersbe put it this way, "When God permits His children to go through the furnace of affliction, He keeps His eye on the clock and His hand on the thermostat." An old seaman said, "In fierce storms we can do but one thing. There is only one way (to survive); we must put the ship in a certain position and keep her there." Commenting on this idea, Richard Fuller wrote: "This, Christian, is what you must do. Sometimes, like Paul, you can see neither sun nor stars, and no small tempest lies on you. Reason cannot help you. Past experiences give you no light. Only a single course is left. You must stay upon the Lord; and come what may -- winds, waves, cross seas, thunder, lightning, frowning rocks, roaring breakers -- no matter what, you must lash yourself to the helm and hold fast your confidence in God's faithfulness and His everlasting love in Christ Jesus." Christ is to be the pilot of our lives.Beloved, if you are waterless in the wilderness, running on empty, or on the verge of a panic attack, the Lord has allowed this in your life to teach you that He can supply your every need no matter what circumstances you are in right now. (Treasures from Exodus, Volume 2) Saying, “What shall I do to this people? A little more and they will stone me.” - ESV, NIV = "they are almost ready to stone me." Moses is not exaggerating, for the situation is a clear and present danger. This is the first mention of stoning a person in Scripture. Stoning is a horrible way to die. J
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Wiersbe adds that "The rock pictures Jesus Christ who was smitten for us (1 Cor. 10:4) that we might have the living water of the Holy Spirit within (John 7:37–39+). He was smitten on the cross that the Spirit of life might be given to save and satisfy thirsty sinners. In the Bible, water for cleansing symbolizes the Word of God (John 13:1–17; Jn 15:3); water for drinking represents the Spirit of God (John 7:37–38+). The people could not live without water, nor can we live today without the water of life (John 4:13–14+; Jn 7:37–39+). This Rock is Christ (1 Cor. 10:4), and the smiting of the Rock speaks of Christ’s death on the cross, where He felt the rod of the curse of the law. (It was this same rod, you will recall, that turned into a serpent, Ex. 4:2–3, and that helped to bring the plagues on Egypt.) The order here is wonderful: in Exodus 16 we have the manna, illustrating Christ’s coming to earth; in Exodus 17 we see the smiting of the rock, which pictures His death on the cross. The water is a symbol of the Holy Spirit, who was given after Christ had been glorified (John 7:37–39+). (from With the Word Bible Commentary and Wiersbe's Expository Outlines of the Old Testament) Related Resource: Many of the preceding notes are from Christ Our Rock - see that topic for much longer discussion Rock (06697)(tsur) is used a few times to describe a literal rock (usually a large rock or boulder), but the figurative uses are more common and usually descriptive of Jehovah. Tsur in this verse is translated in the Septuagint with the Greek word petra. Here are all the uses of tsur in the Pentateuch - Exod. 17:6; Ex 33:21; Ex 33:22; Nu 23:9; Dt. 8:15; Dt. 32:4; Dt. 32:13; Dt. 32:15; Dt. 32:18; Dt. 32:30; Dt. 32:31; Dt. 32:37 O safe to the Rock that is higher than I My soul in its conflicts and sorrows would fly; So sinful, so weary -- Thine, Thine would I be; Thou blest "Rock of Ages," I'm hiding in Thee. - Cushing WATER FROM THE ROCK WHO WAS CHRIST And water will come out of it, that the people may drink - It is easy to read this too fast. Water out of a rock! There is no natural explanation. This is clear evidence of the supernatural power of God. It should have stunned and awoken the nation of Israel out of their indifference toward Jehovah and it should have the same effect on the slumbering church in America! THOUGHT - I am reminded of Paul's exhortation to the church at Ephesus = "But all things become visible when they are exposed by the light, for everything that becomes visible is light. For this reason it says, “Awake (present imperative) sleeper, And arise from the dead, And Christ will shine on you.” (Eph 5:13-14+) And then Jesus' words to the church at Ephesus one generation later "But I have this against you, that you have left your first love. Therefore remember (present imperative) from where you have fallen, and repent (aorist imperative) and do the deeds you did at first; or else I am coming to you and will remove your lampstand out of its place–unless you repent." (Rev 2:4-5+) The psalmist records... He opened a rock, and water gushed out; it flowed like a stream in the desert. (in the dry places like a river) (Ps 105:41)
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Wiersbe - You never solve your problems by blaming other people. Israel’s real problem was unbelief and a desire to go back to the old life. Every difficulty you meet is an opportunity for testing yourself and trusting your Lord, for going forward or going backward. The rock pictures Jesus Christ who was smitten for us (1 Cor. 10:4) that we might have the living water of the Holy Spirit within (John 7:37–39). (With the Word) Exodus 17:5-6 Water From the Rock by Dr. Woodrow Kroll And the Lord said to Moses, "Go on before the people, and take with you some of the elders of Israel. Also take in your hand your rod with which you struck the river, and go. Behold, I will stand before you there on the rock in Horeb; and you shall strike the rock, and water will come out of it, that the people may drink." And Moses did so in the sight of the elders of Israel. Water From the Rock - The importance of water can never be underestimated. Sixty percent of a lean, adult body is composed of water. A person can fast from food for 40 days or longer, but the human body can go only for about 7 days without water even under ideal circumstances. It's no wonder, then, that the Israelites were getting desperate. The wilderness was far from ideal. It was a hot, desert-like stretch of land dotted with huge rocks but little vegetation. Without water they would quickly perish. So God instructed Moses to strike a rock, and out of this flinty hardness flowed sufficient water to meet the needs of all the people and their livestock. The Bible writers later saw this rock as a symbol of Christ (1 Cor. 10:4). In the midst of a sin-parched life, Christ offers a well of living water that never runs dry, no matter how often we drink from it. Have you received Christ as your Savior? If not, trust Jesus today and you will never thirst again. If you want eternal water, come to Jesus who said, "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 4:14). The world offers a cistern; Christ offers a well. Our Daily Homily - F B
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Wiersbe - The Jews had not yet learned that God tests His people in the everyday experiences of life. He uses the difficult experiences of life to strengthen our faith and mature our character. But Israel's faith in God was very weak, for they thought their God had led them to a place where He couldn't care for them! The trouble with the Israelites was that they had hard hearts that wouldn't submit to the Lord, so they rebelled against His will. (The Bible Exposition Commentary – Pentateuch) HCSB Study Bible says "The name Massah is closely related to the verb translated "tested," and the name Meribah is cognate to the verb translated complained (see Ps 95:8-9). So the new name was something like "Testing and Complaint" or "Quarrelsome Trial." The Israelites' question expressed their impatience with what they considered unsatisfactory performance." Massah (04532)(massah from nasah = to test by trial, to prove) means testing. The Septuagint (Lxx) translates the proper name with the noun peirasmos which BDAG defines as "an attempt to learn the nature or character of something." Sadly, Israel was not sincerely seeking to learn the nature or character of God, but to put His character to their test! Massah - 5x in OT. 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?” Deuteronomy 6:16 “You shall not put the LORD your God to the test, as you tested Him at Massah. Deuteronomy 9:22 “Again at Taberah and at Massah and at Kibroth-hattaavah you provoked the LORD to wrath. Deuteronomy 33:8 (Of Levi he said, “Let Your Thummim and Your Urim belong to Your godly man, Whom You proved at Massah, With whom You contended at the waters of Meribah; Psalm 95:8 Do not harden your hearts, as at Meribah, As in the day of Massah in the wilderness, (See Spurgeon's note below) David Thompson - The Hebrew word “Massah” means testing, trial, temptation. The Hebrew word “Meribah” means protest, quarrel, contention and strife. Why did Moses use two names? Probably the answer is because Moses is recognizing the depth of the rebellion of the nation Israel. Time and time again God provided for Israel in pure grace, and time and time again she protested against the provision. Think for a moment about the contention and strife that she has had with Jesus Christ for over 2000 years. God provided for her salvation and she totally rejects it. These Israelites were beginning to develop a pattern of not trusting God. They were developing a pattern of failing tests and contending against God. This attitude is still operative and never was that more evidenced than when Jesus Christ came to Israel as her King/Savior. Israel’s track record is one of not submitting to God. (Sermon) Meribah (04809)(meribah from riyb = to strive, contend) means place of strife or quarreling. This name is used of two places, both sites of Moses' striking a rock, the first being at the beginning of the 40 years of wandering and at the foot of Mount Horeb (Sinai) (Ex 13:7, Nu 20:13, Nu 20:24) and the second place also called Meribah (Meribah of Kadesh or Meribah-Kadesh - see notes above on Nu 20:1-13) in the desert of Zin near Kadesh, (map) near the end of the 40 years of wilderness wandering when Moses disobeyed God and instead of speaking to the rock (Nu 20:8), in anger struck the rock twice. Because of Moses' disobedience at Meribah-Kadesh God said he would not enter the promised land (Aaron was also included in this punishment - Nu 20:24). The Septuagint (Lxx) translates the proper name Meribah in Ex 17:7 with the noun loidoreo (not found in NT but related to verb loidoreo) which means railing or abuse. Meribah - 11x in the OT - 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?” Numbers 20:13 (see context of Nu 20:1-13 above) Those were the waters of Meribah, because the sons of Israel contended with the LORD, and He proved Himself holy among them. Numbers 20:24 “Aaron will be gathered to his people; for he shall not enter the land which I have given to the sons of Israel, because you rebelled against My command at the waters of Meribah. Numbers 27:14 for in the wilderness of Zin, during the strife of the congregation, you rebelled against My command to treat Me as holy before their eyes at the water.” (These are the waters of Meribah of Kadesh in the wilderness of Zin.) Deuteronomy 32:51 because you broke faith with Me in the midst of the sons of Israel at the waters of Meribah-kadesh, in the wilderness of Zin, because you did not treat Me as holy in the midst of the sons of Israel. Deuteronomy 33:8 Of Levi he said, “Let Your Thummim and Your Urim belong to Your godly man, Whom You proved at Massah, With whom You contended at the waters of Meribah; Psalm 81:7 “You called in trouble and I rescued you; I answered you in the hiding place of thunder; I proved you at the waters of Meribah. Selah.