And all the congregation of the children of Israel journeyed from the wilderness of Sin, after their journeys, according to the commandment of the Lord, and pitched in Rephidim: and there was no water for the people to drink.
Wherefore the people did chide with Moses, and said, Give us water that we may drink. And Moses said unto them, Why chide ye with me? wherefore do ye tempt the Lord?
And the people thirsted there for water; and the people murmured against Moses, and said, Wherefore is this that thou hast brought us up out of Egypt, to kill us and our children and our cattle with thirst?
And Moses cried unto the Lord, saying, What shall I do unto this people? they be almost ready to stone me.
And the Lord said unto Moses, Go on before the people, and take with thee of the elders of Israel; and thy rod, wherewith thou smotest the river, take in thine hand, and go.
Behold, I will stand before thee there upon the rock in Horeb; and thou shalt smite the rock, and there shall come water out of it, that the people may drink. And Moses did so in the sight of the elders of Israel.
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?
Then came Amalek, and fought with Israel in Rephidim.
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.
So Joshua did as Moses had said to him, and fought with Amalek: and Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill.
And it came to pass, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed: and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed.
But Moses’ hands were heavy; and they took a stone, and put it under him, and he sat thereon; and Aaron and Hur stayed up his hands, the one on the one side, and the other on the other side; and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun.
And Joshua discomfited Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword.
And the Lord said unto Moses, Write this for a memorial in a book, and rehearse it in the ears of Joshua: for I will utterly put out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven.
And Moses built an altar, and called the name of it JEHOVAH–nissi:
For he said, Because the Lord hath sworn that the Lord will have war with Amalek from generation to generation.
Exodus 17 presents a powerful narrative, showcasing Israel's journey through trials, their struggle to trust God, and ultimately, God's provision and protection. This chapter is a rich tapestry woven with threads of complaint, miraculous intervention, spiritual warfare, and divine judgment, offering timeless lessons for believers today.
Murmuring at Massah and Meribah (Exodus 17:1-7)
The Israelites, continuing their journey (Exodus 17:1), arrived at Rephidim only to find no water. Instead of remembering God's faithfulness in delivering them from Egypt and providing for them thus far, they immediately turned to complaining and testing the Lord (Exodus 17:2). Their grumbling escalated to the point of threatening to stone Moses (Exodus 17:4), revealing a profound lack of trust in God's provision.
Moses, in desperation, cried out to the Lord. God, in His grace and mercy, instructed Moses to strike a rock at Horeb with his staff (Exodus 17:5-6). Miraculously, water gushed forth, quenching the people's thirst. Moses named the place Massah ("Testing") and Meribah ("Quarreling") to commemorate Israel's faithless testing of the Lord (Exodus 17:7). This event serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of doubting God's promises and testing His patience. Psalm 95:7-11 and Hebrews 3:7-19 later reference this event, warning future generations against hardening their hearts and testing God. 1 Corinthians 10:11 reminds us that these historical accounts were written for our instruction.
Victory Over Amalek Through Intercession (Exodus 17:8-16)
With the water crisis resolved, a new threat emerged: the Amalekites attacked Israel (Exodus 17:8). The Amalekites, descendants of Esau (Genesis 36:12), were distant relatives of the Israelites. Yet, familial ties meant nothing; they sought to destroy Israel.
Moses, recognizing the gravity of the situation, instructed Joshua to lead the Israelite army into battle (Exodus 17:9). Meanwhile, Moses ascended to the hilltop, holding the staff of God in his hand. This was no ordinary staff; it was the instrument God had used to perform miracles in Egypt (Exodus 14:16, 21-22, 26-28).
As the battle raged below, Moses' actions on the hilltop proved decisive. When he raised his hand holding the staff, Israel prevailed. But when his arms grew weary and he lowered them, Amalek gained the upper hand (Exodus 17:10-11). This reveals the crucial role of spiritual intercession in times of conflict. The battle's outcome was directly linked to Moses' posture of prayer and faith.
Recognizing the significance of Moses' role, Aaron and Hur stepped in to support him. They placed a stone for him to sit on and stood on either side of him, holding up his arms (Exodus 17:12). Their support enabled Moses to keep the staff raised, and Joshua ultimately defeated Amalek (Exodus 17:13). This highlights the importance of community and mutual support within the body of Christ. We are not meant to fight our battles alone; we need others to lift us up when we are weary.
God then declared that He would completely blot out the memory of Amalek (Exodus 17:14). This was due to their unprovoked and wicked attack on Israel. This divine judgment was to be carried out later, first by King Saul (though incompletely, see 1 Samuel 15:1-3), and then finally by Samuel himself (1 Samuel 15:32-33). The story of the Amalekites serves as a warning that God's judgment, though sometimes delayed, is certain.
In response to this victory, Moses built an altar and named it "The Lord Is My Banner" (Exodus 17:15). A banner represents allegiance and commitment. Moses wanted to remind Israel that their victory came from the Lord and that they should give Him their unwavering loyalty. He alone is our banner, our protector, and the source of our triumph over adversity.
Lessons for Today
Exodus 17 offers several valuable lessons for believers today:
- Trust in God's Provision: Even in the face of seemingly impossible circumstances, we must trust that God will provide for our needs.
- The Power of Intercession: Prayer is a powerful weapon in spiritual warfare. We must engage in fervent intercession for ourselves and others.
- The Importance of Community: We are not meant to walk this journey alone. We need the support and encouragement of fellow believers to help us stay strong in our faith.
- God's Justice: God will ultimately judge those who oppose His people and His purposes.
- God is Our Banner: We must give our allegiance to the Lord and rely on Him for victory in all areas of our lives.
By learning from the Israelites' experiences in Exodus 17, we can cultivate a deeper trust in God, strengthen our prayer lives, and build stronger communities of faith. May we always remember that the Lord is our banner, our source of strength and victory. This chapter is a great reminder that both military force and spiritual commitment are needed. We must avoid the extremes of thinking that either we’ll simply pray and let God take care of the life battles we face or that we must assume all responsibility and solve each problem in our human capacities alone. To prevail against enemy attack, you must both make contact with heaven and take responsibility for your actions.
And all the congregation of the children of Israel journeyed from the wilderness of Sin, after their journeys, according to the commandment of the Lord, and pitched in Rephidim: and there was no water for the people to drink.
Wherefore the people did chide with Moses, and said, Give us water that we may drink. And Moses said unto them, Why chide ye with me? wherefore do ye tempt the Lord?
And the people thirsted there for water; and the people murmured against Moses, and said, Wherefore is this that thou hast brought us up out of Egypt, to kill us and our children and our cattle with thirst?
And Moses cried unto the Lord, saying, What shall I do unto this people? they be almost ready to stone me.
And the Lord said unto Moses, Go on before the people, and take with thee of the elders of Israel; and thy rod, wherewith thou smotest the river, take in thine hand, and go.
Behold, I will stand before thee there upon the rock in Horeb; and thou shalt smite the rock, and there shall come water out of it, that the people may drink. And Moses did so in the sight of the elders of Israel.
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?
Then came Amalek, and fought with Israel in Rephidim.
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.
So Joshua did as Moses had said to him, and fought with Amalek: and Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill.
And it came to pass, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed: and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed.
But Moses’ hands were heavy; and they took a stone, and put it under him, and he sat thereon; and Aaron and Hur stayed up his hands, the one on the one side, and the other on the other side; and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun.
And Joshua discomfited Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword.
And the Lord said unto Moses, Write this for a memorial in a book, and rehearse it in the ears of Joshua: for I will utterly put out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven.
And Moses built an altar, and called the name of it JEHOVAH–nissi:
For he said, Because the Lord hath sworn that the Lord will have war with Amalek from generation to generation.
Exodus 17 presents a powerful narrative, showcasing Israel's journey through trials, their struggle to trust God, and ultimately, God's provision and protection. This chapter is a rich tapestry woven with threads of complaint, miraculous intervention, spiritual warfare, and divine judgment, offering timeless lessons for believers today.
Murmuring at Massah and Meribah (Exodus 17:1-7)
The Israelites, continuing their journey (Exodus 17:1), arrived at Rephidim only to find no water. Instead of remembering God's faithfulness in delivering them from Egypt and providing for them thus far, they immediately turned to complaining and testing the Lord (Exodus 17:2). Their grumbling escalated to the point of threatening to stone Moses (Exodus 17:4), revealing a profound lack of trust in God's provision.
Moses, in desperation, cried out to the Lord. God, in His grace and mercy, instructed Moses to strike a rock at Horeb with his staff (Exodus 17:5-6). Miraculously, water gushed forth, quenching the people's thirst. Moses named the place Massah ("Testing") and Meribah ("Quarreling") to commemorate Israel's faithless testing of the Lord (Exodus 17:7). This event serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of doubting God's promises and testing His patience. Psalm 95:7-11 and Hebrews 3:7-19 later reference this event, warning future generations against hardening their hearts and testing God. 1 Corinthians 10:11 reminds us that these historical accounts were written for our instruction.
Victory Over Amalek Through Intercession (Exodus 17:8-16)
With the water crisis resolved, a new threat emerged: the Amalekites attacked Israel (Exodus 17:8). The Amalekites, descendants of Esau (Genesis 36:12), were distant relatives of the Israelites. Yet, familial ties meant nothing; they sought to destroy Israel.
Moses, recognizing the gravity of the situation, instructed Joshua to lead the Israelite army into battle (Exodus 17:9). Meanwhile, Moses ascended to the hilltop, holding the staff of God in his hand. This was no ordinary staff; it was the instrument God had used to perform miracles in Egypt (Exodus 14:16, 21-22, 26-28).
As the battle raged below, Moses' actions on the hilltop proved decisive. When he raised his hand holding the staff, Israel prevailed. But when his arms grew weary and he lowered them, Amalek gained the upper hand (Exodus 17:10-11). This reveals the crucial role of spiritual intercession in times of conflict. The battle's outcome was directly linked to Moses' posture of prayer and faith.
Recognizing the significance of Moses' role, Aaron and Hur stepped in to support him. They placed a stone for him to sit on and stood on either side of him, holding up his arms (Exodus 17:12). Their support enabled Moses to keep the staff raised, and Joshua ultimately defeated Amalek (Exodus 17:13). This highlights the importance of community and mutual support within the body of Christ. We are not meant to fight our battles alone; we need others to lift us up when we are weary.
God then declared that He would completely blot out the memory of Amalek (Exodus 17:14). This was due to their unprovoked and wicked attack on Israel. This divine judgment was to be carried out later, first by King Saul (though incompletely, see 1 Samuel 15:1-3), and then finally by Samuel himself (1 Samuel 15:32-33). The story of the Amalekites serves as a warning that God's judgment, though sometimes delayed, is certain.
In response to this victory, Moses built an altar and named it "The Lord Is My Banner" (Exodus 17:15). A banner represents allegiance and commitment. Moses wanted to remind Israel that their victory came from the Lord and that they should give Him their unwavering loyalty. He alone is our banner, our protector, and the source of our triumph over adversity.
Lessons for Today
Exodus 17 offers several valuable lessons for believers today:
- Trust in God's Provision: Even in the face of seemingly impossible circumstances, we must trust that God will provide for our needs.
- The Power of Intercession: Prayer is a powerful weapon in spiritual warfare. We must engage in fervent intercession for ourselves and others.
- The Importance of Community: We are not meant to walk this journey alone. We need the support and encouragement of fellow believers to help us stay strong in our faith.
- God's Justice: God will ultimately judge those who oppose His people and His purposes.
- God is Our Banner: We must give our allegiance to the Lord and rely on Him for victory in all areas of our lives.
By learning from the Israelites' experiences in Exodus 17, we can cultivate a deeper trust in God, strengthen our prayer lives, and build stronger communities of faith. May we always remember that the Lord is our banner, our source of strength and victory. This chapter is a great reminder that both military force and spiritual commitment are needed. We must avoid the extremes of thinking that either we’ll simply pray and let God take care of the life battles we face or that we must assume all responsibility and solve each problem in our human capacities alone. To prevail against enemy attack, you must both make contact with heaven and take responsibility for your actions.