Oh, how quickly we humans are to forget things! I am not referring to anyone who might have some type of dementia. That would be a legitimate excuse to forget some things that occurred just a few weeks earlier. However, when folks with otherwise no memory problems conveniently forget some fantastic events and blessings in their lives, even becoming ill-tempered and ornery when similar situations arise, that is a problem. Today’s Old Testament Scripture recounts just such an occurrence. Let’s see what we can learn from God’s Word.
As our Scripture begins, the people of Israel had arrived at a place called Rephidim. God had done a lot in their lives in the last few weeks. First, He parted the waters of the Red Sea for them to cross and escape from Pharaoh’s army (Exodus 14:10-31). Then a few days later He turned the bitter waters at Marah sweet so they could drink (Exodus 15:22-25). Then, a few days after that, God miraculously provided manna and quail for the people to eat (Exodus 16:11-15). God was visibly, miraculously, and consistently providing for the people, yet in our Scripture today, just another few days later in Exodus 17, the people had forgotten and were full of unbelief, and were testing God.
In chapter 17, the Israelites were in the deserts of Rephidim and they were running low on water and were thirsty (vs. 1). As they traveled towards the Promised Land, God had been leading them by the pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night. It was no accident that they had arrived there, a place with no water, as it was the Lord who had led them there. God often leads His people into situations where their faith must be exercised. A Christian can be in the center of God’s will and still face hardships. Obedience to the Lord does not always exempt us from facing trials.
When the people found no water there, rather than remembering all of the times God had previously provided for them, instead they were angry with Moses (vs. 2). They quarreled against him, angrily complaining and striving with him. They blamed Moses for this situation, demanding water, and not trusting God. The people even went so far as to accuse Moses of bringing them to this place to kill them! (vs. 3). They had so conveniently forgotten when God sent the plagues in Egypt, how not one of those fell on them, along with the deliverance at the Red Sea, and the manna they were still receiving. How often when we face a dilemma in our path do we likewise forget all that the Lord has previously done for us, and start complaining, whining, and become filled with fear and worry?
So what did Moses do when the people started ganging up on him? He did what the Israelites should have done at the beginning. He turned to the Lord in prayer (vs. 4). Moses cried out to Him, as the crowd was beyond angry and he rightly feared for his life. The Lord then told him to go before the crowd, along with some of the elders, and to bring his rod. He was to stand before a large rock and to strike that rock with his rod, and water would come forth (vs. 5-6). God told Moses that He would be standing there with him before that rock.
This is a typology of the Lord Jesus, the Smitten Rock. The Apostle Paul explicitly identified the rock as Jesus (I Corinthians 10:4). The rock is Jesus Christ, the rod is the judgment of God. Moses striking the rock is a picture of God pouring His wrath against sin upon Jesus while on the cross. The water that came forth from the rock is a picture of the life-giving Holy Spirit and salvation that comes from Christ. All spiritual life flows from the once-for-all sacrifice of Jesus Christ.
Israel’s sin is summarized in one question “Is the Lord among us or not?” (vs. 7). This was not a request for reassurance. Instead it was a rebellious accusation. They denied God’s presence despite overwhelming evidence. They wanted proof of His presence on their terms, which is the opposite of faith.
Moses believed the Lord’s Word, obeyed Him, and struck the rock, and the water poured forth. However, Israel would not consistently follow Moses’ example of faith (Hebrews 4:2). Our life can be like an arid desert. God, though, can quench our spiritual thirst. When by faith we believe the promises of God’s Word, we can experience rivers of living water and grace for our daily needs.
Looking back over this Scripture, we can learn several things. One, ending up at Rephidim was not a mistake. Sometimes God will lead His people into trials. Another lesson is that forgetfulness fuels unbelief. We need to rehearse God’s faithfulness and remember His past mercies. Complaining is a form of unbelief. Grumbling is not a small sin. It is a lack of faith in God’s love and His character. However, God’s grace will exceed our failures. Israel deserved God’s judgment, but instead, He gave water. His grace triumphed.
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