*Exodus 15:22-27; 17:1-7
The Israelites grumble about a lack of water at Marah and Rephidim, but God miraculously provides sweet water at Marah and water from a rock at Rephidim.
Exodus 15:22-27:
- Arrival at Marah: Following their deliverance from Egypt, the Israelites journeyed into the wilderness and reached the oasis of Marah.
- Bitter Water: However, the water at Marah was undrinkable due to its bitterness, causing distress among the people.
- Moses’ Intervention: The people grumbled against Moses, who, in turn, cried out to the Lord for help.
- Divine Intervention: God directed Moses to a nearby tree, which, when thrown into the water, miraculously made it sweet and drinkable.
- Testing: At Marah, the Lord tested the Israelites, establishing His identity as their healer and provider.
- Promise of Obedience: Following this intervention, God issued a conditional promise of obedience, emphasizing that adherence to His commands would prevent the afflictions they witnessed in Egypt.
Exodus 17:1-7:
- Journey to Rephidim: The Israelites continued their journey and arrived at Rephidim, but again faced a shortage of water.
- Complaints against Moses: The people quarreled with Moses, demanding water to drink, expressing frustration and distrust.
- Moses’ Intercession: Moses, feeling the weight of the people’s discontent, appealed to God for guidance, fearing the people might stone him.
- Divine Instruction: God instructed Moses to strike the rock at Horeb, assuring him that water would flow from it for the people to drink.
- Water from the Rock: Moses followed God’s command, striking the rock, which resulted in an abundant supply of water for the thirsty congregation.
- Testing of Faith: The incident at Rephidim served as another test of the Israelites’ faith and obedience, with God demonstrating His provision in response to their need.
- Naming of the Place: Moses named the place Massah and Meribah, reflecting the testing and quarreling that occurred there, highlighting the Israelites’ lack of faith and trust in God’s provision.
15:22 So Moses brought Israel from the Red sea, and they went out into the wilderness of Shur; and they went three days in the wilderness, and found no water.
15:23 And when they came to Marah, they could not drink of the waters of Marah, for they were bitter: therefore the name of it was called Marah.
15:24 And the people murmured against Moses, saying, What shall we drink? 15:25 And he cried unto the LORD; and the LORD shewed him a tree, which when he had cast into the waters, the waters were made sweet: there he made for them a statute and an ordinance, and there he proved them, 15:26 And said, If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the LORD thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the LORD that healeth thee.
15:27 And they came to Elim, where were twelve wells of water, and threescore and ten palm trees: and they encamped there by the waters.
17:1 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.
17:2 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? 17:3 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? 17:4 And Moses cried unto the LORD, saying, What shall I do unto this people? they be almost ready to stone me.
17:5 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.
17:6 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.
17:7 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?