Lesson 59 - Senior

Memory Verse

Cross References

I The Chiding of the Israelites

1. The next step of the Israelites journey brings them to Rephidim, near Mt. Sinai [EXO:17:1].

2. The absence of water causes them to murmur against Moses, [EXO:17:1-3]; [EXO:15:24].

3. Since God had promised to bless Israel, Moses reminds them that their complaint is against God, [EXO:17:2]; [EXO:l6:8]; [1CO:10:13]; [1KG:8:56].

4. Moses prays for help and advice, [EXO:17:4]; [EXO:15:25].

5. God commands Moses to strike the rock in the presence of the elders of Israel, [EXO:17:5-6]; [EXO:15:25]; [PS:62:1-8]; [PS:78:15-20]; [PS:105:41]; [DEU:32:3-4], [DEU:32:18], [DEU:32:30-31]; [1SM:2:2]; [1CO:10:1-4]; [JHN:7:37].

6. Moses names the locality Massah, and Meribah (Temptation and Strife), to remind the Israelites of their failure, [EXO:17:7].

II The Battle with the Amalekites

1. The Amalekites make a treacherous attack on the rear ranks of the Israelites' marching column, [EXO:17:8]; [DEU:25:17-18]; [NUM:24:20].

2. Joshua, the soldier of the Lord and minister of Moses, leads an army to battle, [EXO:17:9-10]; [EXO:24:13].

3. Moses, with Aaron and Hur, two trusted assistants, intercedes in prayer for Israel's armies, [EXO:17:9-10]; [EXO:24:14].

4. Moses' intercession, and Aaron and Hur's support, give us a valuable lesson in prayer, [EXO:17:9-12].

5. The victory is won over Amalek because of the faithfulness of God's leaders, [EXO:17:12-13].

6. Moses is commanded to record the treachery of the Amalekites, [EXO:17:14]; [DEU:25:19]; [1SM15:2-3]; [2SM:1:1]; [CH:4:42-43].

7. Another revelation of God is given through the introduction of the sacred name, Jehovah nissi, [EXO:17:15-16]; [EXO:6:3]; [EXO:15:26].

Notes

Complaint Instead of Trust

Every morning the Children of Israel left their tents before the sun arose to its height, and gathered a supply of heavenly bread sent by God for their physical nourishment. So recent also was the miraculous provision of quails for meat that they could not possibly have forgotten how God had provided for their needs. In complaining against Moses when they had no water to drink, they were unreasonable, ungrateful, and unbelieving.

They were unreasonable, for Moses was only God's lieutenant and was likewise a sharer of their afflictions. They were ungrateful, since Moses had, from the very first, done everything in his power for them -- not for any personal gain or glory but only for their good. They were unbelieving, because they could easily have reasoned that Moses again would be able to intercede for their needs.

Did God or Moses Deliver Israel?

But their complaint was, in reality, not against Moses. It was against God, their Deliverer from Egypt and their Guide, Protector, and Provider heretofore. The Israelites had been told by Moses that their complaints were against God, no matter against whom else they were directed. There was contained in these murmurings an element of unbelief, its entry into their hearts being so subtle that they probably were not aware of its presence. "Wherefore is this that thou hast brought us up out of Egypt?" as spoken to Moses, would indicate that they did not believe God had delivered them but that it was entirely by the plan and ingenuity of their humble leader. Simple logic would have told them that their deliverance was a supernatural one, entirely by the hand of God. Had it been a scheme invented by the head of their nation, some provision would have been made for such emergencies as these.

"By faith he forsook Egypt"

Moses had lived in the wilderness for 40 years and he certainly knew what was before them. He knew that without a miracle it would be impossible to feed such a multitude in the desert. But he was willing to go forward at the command of God in spite of the difficulties he knew were ahead, which is a demonstration of the greatness of his faith. Abraham left his native land and went out not knowing whither he went, but Moses left knowing what was ahead and what would be necessary for the people whom he led. And these necessities were not in evidence. Such faith should have inspired the Israelites to trust in the God Who had never failed them. We have seen before and we shall see many times in our future study, the source of Moses' faith, strength, and courage: whenever he faced an emergency he "cried unto the LORD." And we shall see that God never failed him; for as often as Moses interceded for the Israelites, God delivered them! This time was no exception. God gave Moses a command and Moses obeyed. With the elders of Israel he went to a certain rock and smote it with his rod. Immediately water came out of the rock.

Christ Our Rock

This rock is a remarkable type of our Lord and Saviour. Jesus came to deliver us from certain death, but it was necessary that He first be smitten before eternal life could be given to us. Water is emblematic of the spiritual nourishment and soul satisfying blessings of the Gospel. In several passages it is especially typical of the blessings of salvation ([ISA:55:1]; [JHN:4:14]). In [1CO:10:4], the Apostle tells us that the Israelites of the Old Testament were given the same salvation which we obtain, for "that Rock was Christ."

History tells us of providential deliverances by God of people who called on Him in trouble. In the Civil War when a large number of Union soldiers were confined in a military stockade at Anderson Ville, Georgia, God performed a miracle that saved the lives of thousands of those suffering men. These prisoners of war were without water to drink and were rapidly dying from the effects of thirst, hunger, disease, and exposure. In that condition many of them prayed for help, and God sent a severe storm that started a spring of water flowing, which exists to this day, and is called Providence Spring.

The Treachery of the Amalekites

The first people the Israelites met were the Amalekites ([NUM:24:20]). These people were the posterity of Amalek, one of the dukes of Eliphaz, the son of Esau, Jacob's brother, and in that way they were related to the Israelites ([GEN:36:15-16]). One would think they would have helped the Israelites instead of opposing them in the mean and coward y way, which they did. They were probably moved by suspicion and jealousy, together with a natural fear of such a great multitude of people in the wilderness, and were determined to prevent their passage through it. They first carried out a campaign of harassment, but finally came in a pitched battle with the newly appointed armies of Israel. But Amalek did not yet realise the source of Israel's strength nor did they yet realise the fact that opposition to God's chosen people would mean certain defeat.

Joshua, the Minister of Moses

Here, at a time of crisis, a new person is introduced. Joshua, beyond all doubt, was not new to the Israelites; for he is spoken of as occupying a very important place in relation to their leader, Moses. And from the language of our lesson we see that God had already marked him as the successor to Moses. He was now instructed to select an army and engage the Amalekites in combat. We know from the history of the years in the wilderness that he was a man of faith. He must also have been capable of inspiring courage and faithfulness in others.

Joshua is pointed to, by some, as being a very expressive type of Jesus, since Joshua fought against and conquered the enemies of the people whom he brought into the Promised Land. His name literacy means a saviour, and is translated in the New Testament "Jesus" ([ACT:7:45]).

Victory came to Israel because of the courage of Joshua, backed up by the intercessory prayer of Moses. Moses went to the top of the hill with two of his faithful men, Aaron and Hur, and there he lifted up the rod of God toward Heaven, in prayer. As long as he continued in prayer the Israelites prevailed, but when his hands grew heavy and fell down from physical fatigue the Amalekites prevailed. Courage in the face of trouble and trial is commendable, but courage is not enough. In those times we must enlist the help of a Power greater than ourselves, and that is done through prayer.

A Greater Revelation of God

The "rod of God" ([EXO:17:9]) was the physical instrument to be used to give help and courage to Israel at this time. The Hebrew name, which is translated God here is the name that denotes God's creative power, might, and sovereignty -- the general name of God. It is used especially in His relationship to the nations as distinguished from Jehovah (LORD), which is used in His relationship to Israel. We have already seen that there is great significance in the Holy Spirit's selection of the divine names and that they often have a deep spiritual application.

At the burning bush God made Himself known to Moses as Jehovah; at the Red Sea as Jehovah, my strength; and at Marah, Jehovah heals Now, at Rephidim, God reveals another aspect of His character and greatness! When the victory was won Moses erected an altar and there, God was revealed as Jehovah nissi, which is translated The LORD my banner. He is the Captain Whom we follow and the Leader of the army in which we have enlisted!

We come out of every trial and difficulty with some new and deeper conception of what God is to us, and what He can do for us. Each difficulty brings us nearer to God, if we turn to God in the right way during that time of crisis. Every time we receive a deeper revelation of the God we love we are obligated all the more to yield Him willing obedience. And every act of obedience brings its added reward in eternity. So we see that they know God best who have been most frequently delivered by Him in time of trial; and because they do know Him best they are required to serve Him best.

Questions

1. What was the name of the locality where the Israelites camped at this time?

2. What physical need did they experience here?

3. What attitude did they take in regard to that need?

4. What lesson can we learn, in regard to our ministers and leaders, from the conduct of Israel here?

5. What did Moses do that is so commendable?

6. Why did Moses name their encampment Massah, and Meribah?

7. How were the Amalekites and Israelites related?

8. Are we always to expect wholehearted co operation in the things of God from our relatives?

9. What part did Aaron and Hur play in the battle against the Amalekites?

10. What greater revelation of Himself did God give at this time?