Stop The Complaining!

Exodus 17:1-7

Have you ever been on a long road trip with others, and one or more in the group starts to complain and whine?  They’re hot, they're tired, they’re hungry, thirsty, bored, etc., etc. Nothing seems to satisfy them, and the whining continues on.  Very quickly the trip becomes burdensome and unpleasant. Hour after hour, day after day, the complaining goes on and on, and tempers start to flare.  If you’re the leader of the group, if you’re in charge, the complaints are often leveled at you. Depending on who they are, it can even be threatening.  As we read today’s Scripture, we see a scenario that is just like this, and the Lord God’s response.

Not that long after the Israelites left Mt. Sinai, and were traveling in the desert, the Lord led them to Rephidim.  Here again, even though they were following where God led, following the pillar of cloud He provided to guide them, the people started complaining that there wasn’t water.  They complained so strongly against Moses, that he actually started to fear for his safety and his life (vs. 4).

How short was the people’s memory!  It had only been a few months earlier when Yahweh brought the ten plagues upon their Egyptian taskmasters.  Those ten plagues were a fearsome wonder, and it would seem very hard for someone who had witnessed them to forget so quickly.  Then there was their dramatic rescue from the Egyptians when the Lord God parted the waters of the Red Sea for them to cross on dry ground, and then closed them again over the Egyptians so they could not follow.  How could they so quickly forget that? Did they not remember that Yahweh had provided for them from that first day until now? Now they had arrived at the location the Lord had led them to, and they suddenly forgot all He had done.  When we face troubles, often we get spiritual amnesia, forgetting all that God has done for us. We need to reestablish a thankful heart, and remember His past provisions, remembering specific ways He has provided for us in the past.

Complaining only raises the level of stress one has (vs. 2 - 3).  It doesn’t solve anything. Prayer to the Lord God will help to quiet our thoughts and emotions.  It brings us into the presence of God. When we come upon trials or hardships in our life, what is our reaction?  The people of Israel started complaining, but Moses turned to God in prayer (vs. 4).

Moses didn’t even pray for water.  He came to God in concern and fear of the people, and how angry and violent they had become.  Despite all of the complaining, whining, and unbelief of the people, God loved them, and came to the aid of Moses.  He would provide the water they needed, provide it in a miraculous way, showing them that nothing is too hard for Him.  God would bring water in the desert, where no natural source of water existed anywhere around. As the people looked around, there was nothing but dry dirt and rocks, and God used a rock to bring forth water.   Moses obeyed the Lord, and struck the rock with his rod, and water poured forth (vs. 5 - 6). In spite of what would seem to be an impossibility, Moses had faith, believed God, and there was water coming out of the rock.  There are two things needed for every fruitful work - willing workers, and the faithfulness of God. We do whatever God has asked, such as striking the rock. God’s work is to make the water flow. When we do our part, God will do His.

The name of this place was called Massah and Meribah, which means testing and contending (vs. 7).   After all that God had done for them, this place and its name were to become a very poor testimony for the people.  The question the people asked in verse 7, “Is the Lord among us or not?” casts doubt on His truthfulness, and is not one believers should ever have.  God has promised to be with those who have placed their faith and trust in Him.

Only Jesus, the Living Water, can satisfy our thirst for God.  Many of the Israelites would not believe God, and had no faith (Hebrews 4:2).  When, by faith, we believe the promise of God’s Word, we can experience rivers of living water, and grace for our daily needs.