Exodus 17 – Study

For those who may wish to ‘study’ this chapter, the following simple resources are provided for you. Each passage has a four-Part approach to help you take in and think further about what you have read.

Passage: Exodus 17:1-7

1 The whole Israelite community set out from the Desert of Sin, travelling from place to place as the Lord commanded. They camped at Rephidim, but there was no water for the people to drink. 2 So they quarrelled with Moses and said, ‘Give us water to drink.’

Moses replied, ‘Why do you quarrel with me? Why do you put the Lord to the test?’

3 But the people were thirsty for water there, and they grumbled against Moses. They said, ‘Why did you bring us up out of Egypt to make us and our children and livestock die of thirst?’

4 Then Moses cried out to the Lord, ‘What am I to do with these people? They are almost ready to stone me.’

5 The Lord answered Moses, ‘Go out in front of the people. Take with you some of the elders of Israel and take in your hand the staff with which you struck the Nile, and go. 6 I will stand there before you by the rock at Horeb. Strike the rock, and water will come out of it for the people to drink.’ So Moses did this in the sight of the elders of Israel. 7 And he called the place Massah and Meribah because the Israelites quarrelled and because they tested the Lord saying, ‘Is the Lord among us or not?’

A. Find Out:

1. How did Israel decide where to go? v.1b
2. What was the problem at Rephidim? v.1c
3. What was the reaction of the people? v.2
4. So what did Moses do? v.4a
5. How desperate was the situation? v.4b
6. How was the problem resolved? v.6

B. Think:

1. What does this passage show about Israel?
2. What does it show about Moses?
3. What really was the crux of the problem?

C. Comment:

      First, we observe that the nation was going where God led, and apparently He led them into a place with no water. At such a place you can do one of two things: either a) question whether God led you there or b) ask Him for help in some way thanking Him that He will not let you be tested beyond that which you can bear (see 1 Corinthians 10:13). Second, we see the people going for the first option, they blame Moses (v.7) and query whether the Lord is with them. No, they hadn’t learnt the lesson! Third, we see Moses response, which is to pray. The temptation is very similar for a leader: to respond harshly to the foolish people or to seek God. Fourth, we see the Lord’s response: to give Moses something to DO that will release miraculous provision from natural sources.

      Israel had already had a similar testing, but with impure water at Marah ( 15:23). The Lord had provided an answer for them there, but they apparently hadn’t learnt from that. It is interesting to note that the Lord did not bring judgement on them for their grumbling BEFORE Sinai. They were largely still in a state of ignorance about the Lord. He is quietly giving them lessons about Himself.

D. Application?

1. Do we count it joy (James 1:2) when our loving Heavenly Father allows us to go through a learning time that tests us?
2. The Lord is in control, rest in that.

Passage: Exodus 17:8-16

8 The Amalekites came and attacked the Israelites at Rephidim. 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.’

10 So Joshua fought the Amalekites as Moses had ordered, and Moses, Aaron and Hur went to the top of the hill. 11 As long as Moses held up his hands, the Israelites were winning, but whenever he lowered his hands, the Amalekites were winning. 12 When Moses’ hands grew tired, they took a stone and put it under him and he sat on it. Aaron and Hur held his hands up – one on one side, one on the other – so that his hands remained steady till sunset. 13 So Joshua overcame the Amalekite army with the sword.

14 Then the Lord said to Moses, ‘Write this on a scroll as something to be remembered and make sure that Joshua hears it, because I will completely blot out the name of Amalek from under heaven.’

15 Moses built an altar and called it The Lord is my Banner. 16 He said, ‘Because hands were lifted up against the throne of the Lord, the Lord will be at war against the Amalekites from generation to generation.’

A. Find Out:

1. What “problem” occurred next? v.8
2. Who was to lead the army? v.9,10
3. Who went with Moses where? v.10
4. What seemed to decree Israel winning? v.11
5. How did they ensure that continued? v.12
6. How was this to be remembered? v.14

B. Think:

1. Look up the following: Exo 7:20, 8:5, 8:16, 9:22, 10:13, 10:22, 14:16,26 What was Moses doing, as he stretched forth the staff?
2. Of what do you think this is a picture for us?
3. What does it also teach us about “body” or team ministry?

C. Comment:

      There is no indication that the Lord brought the Amalekites against Israel, they are “just another one of those things that happen in life”! Again it has several important lessons for us.

     First of all, we see that Moses gave them different tasks, Joshua to lead the actual battle, himself to intercede over it, and Aaron and Hur to support him. They each have different things to do. Ream Romans 12:4-8. We aren’t called to do everything!

      Second, we see the importance of Moses’ role. He was to take the place of authority over the situation (with the staff upheld). The key here is that he is exercising faith. While he exercises faith, they prevail. It is sometimes said that this is also a picture of interceding prayer, although in fact there is no mention of Moses calling on God. This picture can provoke us to prevail in prayer but its primarily is of a man of prevailing FAITH holding authority.

      Third, we see he needed help to stand in this place. Normally we are NOT called to stand alone (occasionally, yes). We are to have others close to us who can help, strengthen and encourage us (Eph 4:16 )

D. Application?

1. Are we able to rest in being the person God made us to be, PART (only) of the body of Christ?
2. Faith pleases God (Heb 11:6)