1 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.
2 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?
3 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?
4 And Moses cried unto the LORD, saying, What shall I do unto this people? they be almost ready to stone me.
5 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.
6 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.
7 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?
8 Then came Amalek, and fought with Israel in Rephidim.
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.
10 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.
11 And it came to pass, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed: and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed.
12 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.
13 And Joshua discomfited Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword.
14 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.
15 And Moses built an altar, and called the name of it Jehovahnissi:
16 For he said, Because the LORD hath sworn that the LORD will have war with Amalek from generation to generation.
Chapter 17 of the book of Exodus in the KJV Holy Bible continues the story of the Israelites' journey through the wilderness after their escape from Egypt. This chapter focuses on their struggle for water and the battle against the Amalekites. It also highlights the importance of trusting in God and the consequences of doubting His power and provision.
The chapter begins with the Israelites' arrival at the Desert of Sin, where there was no water for them to drink. This was a significant problem as water is essential for survival, especially in the desert. The people complained to Moses, questioning why he had brought them out of Egypt only to die of thirst in the wilderness. This was not the first time the Israelites had grumbled and doubted God's plan for them. However, instead of getting angry or frustrated, Moses turned to God for help.
God instructed Moses to strike a rock at Horeb, and miraculously, water gushed out for the people to drink. This event is known as the "water from the rock" and is a powerful demonstration of God's power and provision for His people. It also serves as a reminder to the Israelites that their ultimate trust and dependence should be on God, not on their own abilities or resources.
After the Israelites' thirst was quenched, they continued their journey, and they camped at Rephidim. However, their peace did not last long as the Amalekites, a fierce and hostile tribe, attacked them. This was a test of the Israelites' faith and trust in God. The Amalekites were a powerful enemy, and the Israelites were not trained warriors. However, Moses knew that their victory did not depend on their strength or weapons, but on God's power and presence.
Moses commanded Joshua to choose some men to go and fight against the Amalekites while he went up to the top of the hill with Aaron and Hur. As long as Moses held up his hands, the Israelites had the upper hand in the battle. But when his hands grew tired and fell, the Amalekites gained the advantage. Aaron and Hur supported Moses by holding up his hands until sunset, and the Israelites were victorious.
This battle against the Amalekites teaches us that even when we face seemingly insurmountable challenges, we can have victory when we rely on God's strength and help. It also reminds us that we are not meant to face our battles alone, but God provides us with people to support and encourage us.
After the battle, God instructed Moses to write down the account of the Amalekites' defeat and to read it to Joshua. God wanted the Israelites to remember this event and how He had given them victory over their enemies. This was to serve as a reminder of God's faithfulness and power, especially in times of doubt and struggle.
God also declared that He would completely blot out the memory of the Amalekites from under heaven. This was because the Amalekites had attacked the Israelites when they were weak and vulnerable, showing no fear or reverence for God. This serves as a warning to us that there are consequences for those who oppose and rebel against God.
Chapter 17 of Exodus holds several significant lessons and teachings for us as believers. Firstly, it reminds us of the importance of trusting in God and His provision. The Israelites' journey through the wilderness was a test of their faith, and time and time again, God proved His faithfulness and care for His people. This chapter also shows us that God can provide for our needs in the most unexpected ways, just like the water from the rock.
The battle against the Amalekites teaches us that our ultimate victory comes from God, not from our own strength or abilities. It also shows us the importance of having a community of believers to support and encourage us in our spiritual battles. We were not meant to face our struggles alone, and God provides us with people to walk alongside us.
The command to remember and record the account of the Amalekites' defeat serves as a reminder to us to never forget God's faithfulness and power in our lives. In times of doubt and struggle, we can look back on these moments and be reminded of how God has come through for us. It also serves as a warning to us to never rebel against God and His plans, as there are consequences for those who oppose Him.
Overall, chapter 17 of Exodus highlights the importance of trusting in God, remembering His faithfulness, and relying on His strength in our lives. It also serves as a reminder that God is with us in our struggles, and He will provide for us in unexpected ways. As we continue our own journey through the wilderness of life, may we learn from the Israelites' experiences and trust in God's power and provision for us.
Share this page