Exodus Chapter 17 Water at Rephidim and War against the Amalekites

Exodus 17:1-16 – Water from the Rock at Horeb and War against the Amalekites at Rephidim

Background

40 years ago. Moses met God in the burning bush at Mount Horeb (Exod 3:1). Horeb means dry place or glowing heat. The Amalekites lived there. They were descendants of Amalek, the son of Eliphaz and grandson of Esau (Gen 36:12, 16). The Amalekites were related to, but distinct from the Edomites. Both tribes were descendants of Esau. Esau was the older twin brother of Jacob. Jacob’s name was changed to Israel.  The Amalekites and Edomites were bitter enemies of the ancient Israelites.

I. Water from the Rock at Mount Horeb (Exodus 17:1-7)

At Rephidim (a place of rests), the Israelites camped and there was no water. There

• the thirsty Israelites quarreled/strived (rib) with Moses, grumbled against him and was about to stone him.

Moses cried out to the LORD who then commanded him:

• Pass on before the people,
• Take with him some of the elders of Israel
• Take the staff with which he the Nile,

At the rock of Horeb, in the presence of the LORD, Moses struck the rock with the staff in the sight of the elders of Israel and the Israelites drank from the water (Exodus 17:6).

 At Rephidim, they tested God saying, “Is the LORD among us or not? (Exod 17:2, 7).

Meribah – a place of strife (rib).

Massah – a place of testing (nasah).

This was the sixth recorded occasion when they tested (nasah) the LORD (Num 14:22).

II. War against the Amalekites at Rephidim (Exodus 17:8-16)

Moses, Aaron and Hur prayed on top of the hill with the staff of God in his hand. At the foothill, Joshua and the Israelites fought the Amalekites (Exodus 17:8)

“Whenever Moses held up his hand, Israel prevailed, and whenever he lowered his hand, Amalek prevailed. But Moses’ hands grew weary, so they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat on it, while Aaron and Hur held up his hands, one on one side, and the other on the other side. So his hands were steady until the going down of the sun” (Exod 17:11-12).

The Israelites were victorious and Moses built an altar and called the name of it, “The LORD (Yahweh) Is My Banner (Nissi)

saying, “A hand upon the throne of the LORD (Yah)!

A banner signifies God’s victory and guidance.

A hand raised to God’s throne symbolizes God’s authority and sovereignty in the midst of battle.

“The LORD will have war with Amalek from generation to generation.”

The Amalekites were cruel for they went after the weary Israelites, and those who were lagging behind. They also did not fear God. The LORD promised the Israelites that after they had settled in Canaan, they will bot out the memory of Amalek (Deut 25:17-19).  

King Saul (1021-1000 BC) missed the occasion by disobeying the LORD and spared King Agag of the Amalekites (1 Sam 15). King Hezekiah (716-687 BC) defeated the remnant of the Amalekites (1 Chron 4:41-43).

Reflections

1. Instead of quarrelling with your family members, grumbling or complaining about the church and church leaders, what is the right action so that you can trust God more in adversities and setbacks?
2. From the example of the prayers of Moses, Aaron and Hur for Joshua and his men in the fight with the Amalekites, why is it important to uphold with all kinds of prayers for all those who are working in the world and serving in the homes, different ministries of the local church, local evangelism and global missions for the lost with the gospel? (Eph 6:10-18).