BibleTools
Exodus 17:4
Compare all
2 aTherefore the people contended with Moses, and said, “Give us water, that we may drink.” So Moses said to them, “Why do you contend with me? Why do you btempt the Lord?”  
3 And the people thirsted there for water, and the people acomplained against Moses, and said, “Why is it you have brought us up out of Egypt, to kill us and our children and our blivestock with thirst?”  
4 So Moses acried out to the Lord, saying, “What shall I do with this people? They are almost ready to bstone me!”  
5 And the Lord said to Moses, a“Go on before the people, and take with you some of the elders of Israel. Also take in your hand your rod with which byou struck the river, and go.  
6 aBehold, I will stand before you there on the rock in Horeb; and you shall strike the rock, and water will come out of it, that the people may drink.” And Moses did so in the sight of the elders of Israel.  
7 So he called the name of the place aMassah and Meribah, because of the contention of the children of Israel, and because they3 tempted the Lord, saying, “Is the Lord among us or not?”  

Victory over the Amalekites

8 aNow Amalek came and fought with Israel in Rephidim.  
9 And Moses said to Joshua, “Choose us some men and go out, fight with Amalek. Tomorrow I will stand on the top of the hill with athe rod of God in my hand.”  
Commentaries:
Forerunner Commentary
What is the Forerunner Commentary?
<< Exodus 17:3   Exodus 17:5 >>

What Does Exodus 17:4 Mean?



Exodus 17:2-4

The Israelites were only too happy to receive liberty from their bondage to Egypt. But were very unwilling to obey God, complaining loudly, even rebelling in the wilderness, accusing Moses, Aaron, and by extension, God Himself, for the hardships in the wilderness despite the liberty they received from God through these men.

Being in the church is no different, in that sense. We have become part of a body, a nation, the body of Christ, a royal priesthood. God looks at us both as individuals and as a body, and He leads and guides that entire body. He expects those who are now part of the body through baptism and the receipt of His Holy Spirit to be willing to endure whatever the body goes through. Israel was unwilling to do that.

John W. Ritenbaugh
What Is the Work of God Now? (Part Two)

Related Topics: Church as Body | Complaining | God looks at us as individuals and a body | Israel's Rebelliousness | Rebelling | Royal Priesthood | Unwillingness to Obey God




Other Forerunner Commentary entries containing Exodus 17:4:

Exodus 15:26


 
<< Exodus 17:3   Exodus 17:5 >>

Join 137,350+ readers

A Verse and a Thought,
Every Morning

Consistent Bible study is hard to start.

The Berean gives you the starting point: one scripture and a focused commentary in your inbox each morning — read it in minutes, or go as deep as you like.

Free, daily, and spam-free. We never share your address. Unsubscribe anytime.

Close
E-mail This Page