Rephidim And Massah-Meribah Series

Exodus 17:1–7 Rephidim & Smitten Rock

Rephidim:

Now, Exodus 17:1-7 explains the problems of scarcity of water or the issue is water. The Rephidim and Smitten Rock show the ‘un-excusableness on Man’s part and the infinite mercy on God’s part’ (Dr Pink). The word Rephidim means the resting places but the Israelites became restless (Austin Precept). The Israelites were exhibiting carnality, ingratitude, and insensibility to all the goodness, faithfulness, and mighty acts, we may blame them but most of the time we behave in this manner. Nothing can exceed the desperate unbelief and wickedness of the human heart save the super abounding grace of God (Charles H Stevens). God’s presence was with them, not only in the form of verbal promises but visually and tangibly such as Pillars of cloud and fire. Israel had still not learned a crucial lesson: where God leads, God provides. (Michael J Chan). God takes care of his people in every situation with all they need.

When the Israelites shouted saying ‘give us water’ shows their sinful ungrateful humanness (Exodus 17:3-4). The three million of them forgotten the miracles of God in Egypt and now from Egypt to thus far. They have seen the pillars of cloud and fire; they had tasted the sweet waters of the Life. But again, tested the Lord. As Matthew Henry said,’ man’s extremity becomes God’s opportunity.’ Grace operates when everything fails. man’s murmurings, rebellion, and complaint are exhibited through the highlights of divine benevolence. God told Moses to smite the rock at Horeb in the presence of the elders of the Church (psalm 105:41).

Just as He did for Israel, God still guides our Starts and our Stops! (Austin Precept). We may be in the way of our duty, and yet may meet with troubles, which Providence brings us into for the trial of our faith, and that God may be glorified in our relief. So, Natural desires, and those that are most craving, need to be kept under the check and control of faith. (Matthew Henry).

Horeb:

The point is that this rock was in the region of Horeb, but not actually at Mount Horeb (Sinai). Horeb means ‘dry, desert, and barren.’ The rod which was used to smite the Rock refers to the divine punishment (Exodus 17:5). The Rod was his confidence in God. God turned the ordinary staff of Moses into an extraordinary with his divine Power (Exodus 4:1-5). The Lord said that he would stand before Moses upon the rock (Exodus 17:6, Deuteronomy 32:15, 2 Samuel 22:2-3, Psalm 95:1). The Rock was Christ (1 Corinthians 10:4). The smiting event refers to the judgment fell on Christ as our substitute (Isaiah 53:4-5). The death of Christ brings blessings upon us. No smiting no water, without cross no salvation.

Massah and Meribah:

Is the LORD among us or not? This attitude among the Israelites was their great sin. In this time of difficulty, the children of Israel directly or indirectly doubted the loving presence and care of God among them. God remembered the way Israel tested Him at Massah and Meribah, recalling it in several passages. He said that they shall not tempt the LORD, not provoked the LORD to wrath, not contend at the waters of Meribah (Deuteronomy 6:16, 9:22, 33:8). The sin of their murmuring was called Massah, (tempting God) and Meribah, (strife with Moses) (Matthew Henry). Massah means an attempt to learn the nature or character of something. But unfortunately, they tested God. The names speak of the sinful, rebellious acts of Israel. Names were very important in the OT and undoubtedly Moses wanted the people to hear these names and be reminded of their rebellious hearts, ultimately with the hope that such faithless actions would be avoided in the future. Meribah means railing or abuse (Austin Precept).

Israel’s real problem was unbelief and a desire to go back to the old life. Every difficulty you meet is an opportunity for testing yourself and trusting your Lord, for going forward or going backward (Warren Wiersebe). God leads us to dry places in our Life to know him better. The desert we are walking through gives us the experience of dryness and devastation but God leads to it, so there is provision.