The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him and what came to my heart and mind in Exodus 17:1-2a,
"The whole Israelite community set out from the Desert of Sin, traveling from place to place as the Lord commanded. They camped at Rephidim, but there was no water for the people to drink. So they quarreled with Moses and said, 'Give us water to drink.'"
I'm a slow learner. Often I have to be told things, shown things, more than once before I get a clue. It appears the Israelites had a similar handicap. Just as with the manna and quail, the Israelites grew unhappy with Moses and the Lord for not providing water. In fact, they were ready to stone poor old Moses, "What am I to do with these people? They are almost ready to stone me." Verse 4.
"The whole Israelite community set out from the Desert of Sin, traveling from place to place as the Lord commanded. They camped at Rephidim, but there was no water for the people to drink. So they quarreled with Moses and said, 'Give us water to drink.'"
I'm a slow learner. Often I have to be told things, shown things, more than once before I get a clue. It appears the Israelites had a similar handicap. Just as with the manna and quail, the Israelites grew unhappy with Moses and the Lord for not providing water. In fact, they were ready to stone poor old Moses, "What am I to do with these people? They are almost ready to stone me." Verse 4.
Also, just as with the manna and quail, the Lord knew they needed water, just as they did the food. It wasn't, however, until after they worked themselves into a lynch mob that they approached Moses and asked (had Moses ask) the Lord. Apparently the Israelites assumed everything would be provided them without any outward expression of their need of and reliance upon the Lord.
Anyone who embraces the Lord in faith must manifest in some way their need of and reliance upon the Lord. Once the Israelites did, the Lord provided the water. Later in the chapter, when the Amalekites attacked Israel at the same place, Rephidim, as long as Moses held up his hands, the Lord provided them the upper hand in the fight. When Moses dropped his hands the Israelites started losing to the Amalekites. Israel was entirely dependent upon the Lord. As long as they expressed this, and in doing so, expressing their faith, the Lord provided.
Now that the Israelites were freed from their enslavement in Egypt, they became enrolled into God's practical seminar on faith. A seminar we all are enrolled in when the Lord frees us from our own enslavement to sin. He wants us all strong in faith.
How far have you gotten in God's seminar on faith?
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just respond and let me know.
Trevor Fisk
trevor.fisk@gmail.com
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just respond and let me know.
Trevor Fisk
trevor.fisk@gmail.com
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