The Israelites traveled as the LORD commanded and camped at Rephidim, but there was no water. They quarreled with Moses, demanding water and expressing their frustration. Moses questioned why they were testing the LORD, but the people continued to grumble, complaining that they were brought out of Egypt only to die of thirst.
The Israelites often experienced momentary deviation in their faith, quickly becoming perplexed and disoriented whenever they didn’t get what they wanted. Despite having visible evidence of God’s presence and provision each day, such as the manna and quail He provided, they still questioned His faithfulness. Their complaints grew louder, revealing how easily they were swayed by immediate needs rather than trusting in the ongoing miracles around them.
Is The LORD For Us?
Even though God was providing manna and quail for them daily, the Israelites failed to recognize how much better their current situation was compared to the years they spent in captivity. They complained to Moses, saying it would have been better if they had remained in Egypt, forgetting the suffering they had endured under slavery. Their complaints mirror a common human tendency: when faced with uncertainty or difficulty, people often look back at their past, idealizing it and forgetting the struggles they once endured.
This mindset can also be seen in people leaving their hometowns to follow God’s leading into new places. They may feel unsettled and uncertain in their new environment, just as the Israelites felt when they left Egypt. It is easy to focus on the discomfort of change and forget that God’s guidance and provision are always present, even in the most challenging moments.
Moses cried out to the LORD, expressing his concern that the people were on the verge of stoning him. The LORD instructed Moses to go ahead of the people, accompanied by some of the elders of Israel, and to take the staff he had used to strike the Nile. God promised to stand before Moses on the rock at Horeb and told him to strike the rock, causing water to flow out for the people to drink. Moses followed these instructions, carrying them out in the presence of the elders of Israel. He named the place Massah and Meribah, as the Israelites had quarreled and tested the LORD, questioning whether He was truly among them.
And he called the place Massah and Meribah because the Israelites quarreled and because they tested the LORD saying, “Is the LORD among us or not?” – Exodus 17:7 (NIV)
We often ask the Lord to prove His loyalty toward us by questioning His presence and involvement in our lives. Like the Israelites, we sometimes challenge God, asking, “If You are there, why am I still struggling?” or “If You are God, why are people not understanding?” We may also make demands such as, “If You are God, let my will be done on earth,” seeking to control outcomes instead of trusting His plan. Additionally, we might ask God to “prove it” to those around us who are questioning us, much like the Israelites questioned God’s presence when they faced hardship. In these moments, we test God, just as they did at Massah and Meribah, rather than trusting in His continual faithfulness and provision, which is shown in His response to their complaints.
Superstitions or Grace
The Amalekites attacked the Israelites at Rephidim, prompting Moses to instruct Joshua to select some men and fight back. Moses told Joshua that he would stand on top of the hill with the staff of God in his hands. The Amalekites, though were the descendants of Esau, had seemingly attacked not out of a historic family rivalry but as opportunistic nomads preying on a vulnerable group crossing their territory.
Joshua led the battle as commanded, while Moses, Aaron, and Hur went to the hill. As long as Moses held his hands up, the Israelites were winning, but when he lowered his hands, the Amalekites began to prevail. As Moses grew tired, Aaron and Hur placed a stone under him for support, and they helped hold his hands up—one on each side—until sunset. With Moses’ hands steady, Joshua defeated the Amalekites.
As long as Moses held up his hands, the Israelites were winning, but whenever he lowered his hands, the Amalekites were winning. – Exodus 17:11 (NIV)
The staff Moses used had become almost symbolic for the Israelites. They had seen the power it wielded, and when Moses lowered it, their hope seemed to falter, causing them to lose the battle. This can be compared to superstitions we see in various aspects of life, like sports, where people believe certain actions will influence outcomes. Similarly, many develop superstitions in their prayer life, such as believing God will hear them more if they pray first thing in the morning or quote long scriptures. These behaviors reflect a misguided trust in rituals rather than a true relationship with God.
Then the LORD said to Moses, “Write this on a scroll as something to be remembered and make sure that Joshua hears it, because I will completely blot out the name of Amalek from under heaven.” – Exodus 17:14 (NIV)
After the battle, the LORD instructed Moses to write the events down as a reminder and ensure that Joshua knew the significance, for the LORD promised to completely erase the name of Amalek from under heaven. Moses then built an altar and named it “The LORD is my Banner,” declaring that because the Amalekites had opposed God’s throne, the LORD would be at war with them for generations to come. This passage is the first recorded instance of Moses writing something down. The LORD’s instruction for Moses to ensure Joshua hears this message highlights the importance of the event, not only for Israel’s history but for Joshua’s leadership.
As the next leader of Israel, Joshua needed to understand how to lead the people of God—not just in military matters but as the one chosen to lead them into the Promised Land. Moses’ action of building an altar and naming it “The LORD is my Banner” further reinforces the idea that the battle was not just about physical victory, but about recognizing God’s sovereignty over all. This was a victory that belonged to the LORD, and it would shape the future relationship between God and Israel, with the Amalekites forever opposed to the LORD’s throne.
Discussion Questions
- How do we ask the LORD to prove His loyalty towards us?
- What motivated the Amalekites to attack the Israelites during their journey?
- Did Moses’ act of raising his hands truly influence the outcome of the battle for the Israelites?
- Why was it important for the LORD’s message to be made known to Joshua?
The Jordan Valley 
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