Ex. 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.
Ex. 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?
Ex. 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?
Well, we know that the Israelites had been out of Egypt for less than three months since chapter 19 starts with the third month. In spite of so many signs from the LORD and miracles on their behalf, the people are still grumbling at the first sign of any hardship. Even though living on the road out of tents must have been hard, it wasn’t unusual for people of that day; and it certainly had to be better than being slaves in Egypt.
They were traveling in the desert from place to place ”according to the commandment of the LORD.” That should have assured them that He would provide—as the old saying goes, “Where God guides, God provides.” Instead of asking Moses to intercede with the LORD on their behalf, they quarreled, complained and demanded that he give them water to drink. Moses immediately let them know that it is the LORD’s patience they are testing—the LORD is their provider, not Moses. But they didn’t let up; they accused Moses of leading them out of Egypt just to have them die of thirst.
We are often just like the Israelites. Because we don’t see the whole plan, we are often quick to be impatient and untrusting. We “forget” about the many times He has intervened for us in faithful, unusual and even miraculous ways.
Ex. 17:4 And Moses cried unto the LORD, saying, What shall I do unto this people? they be almost ready to stone me.
Ex. 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.
Ex. 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.
Moses cried out to the LORD. This sounds like a call of a man in fear of his life since he tells God that they are “almost ready to stone me.” The LORD doesn’t respond in anger or rebuke. He simply answers the prayer of His servant. He always gets the people in position to have to recognize that it is the LORD who is providing their needs through the obedience of His chosen leader. He told Moses to walk ahead of the people, taking some of the elders of Israel with him. He was also to take the staff that was used to turn the waters of the Nile into blood. Then the LORD tells Moses that He will stand before him upon the rock (basically identifying with the rock) at Horeb. He is to strike the rock, and water will come out of it to provide for the people.
This incident will prove important in connection to the next time that Moses finds himself in a similar situation in which he disobeys the LORD and strikes the rock again instead of speaking to the rock as instructed (cf Numbers 20). At that point, Moses destroyed the typology. Jesus was only struck once—at the cross. It was for this act of disobedience that Moses was forbidden to lead the people into the Promised Land.
I think it is interesting that the LORD chose to go before Moses. My natural tendency is to think of God being with me or by me in times of need, and I don’t think that is wrong. What’s more important, however, is that He is always going before me. That assures me that what is happening is part of His approved plan for my life. It had to get past Him before it could reach me. It is also an assurance that He will provide what is needed in any given situation.
As always, Moses obeyed and did as He was commanded in the sight of the elders of Israel. I’m trying to think through why it was important for the elders of the people to witness this miracle. Maybe because the camp was so large that they need to be able to give testimony of the miracle to the whole camp, although it seems that would be obvious when you saw water flowing from a rock. As always, Moses obeyed.
Ex. 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?
Moses named the place in accordance with the attitudes and actions of the people before the LORD—Massah (which means testing) and Meribah (which means quarreling).
Courson: “Paul gives the interpretation of this account in 1Corinthians 10:4, where he tells us the Rock was Jesus Christ. This means that Jesus, the Rock of our salvation, was smitten by the ‘serpent' of Moses rod—perfectly portraying the prophecy given in the Garden of Eden when God said to Satan, ‘You shall bruise His heel, but He will crust your head' (see Genesis 3:15). Was the heel of Jesus bruised? Yes. A spike was driven through it on the Cross of Calvary. But Satan was crushed—for the power he held over us was obliterated, washed away by the blood Jesus shed that day. What happened when Jesus was pierced with the spear? Blood and water flowed from His side (John 19:34). So, too, here at Rephidim, the Rock, smitten by the rod that was once a serpent pours forth water. The analogy is perfect. This passage points to Jesus.”
Ex. 17:8 Then came Amalek, and fought with Israel in Rephidim.
Ex. 17:9 And Moses said unto Joshua, Choose us out men, and go out, fight with Amalek: to morrow I will stand on the top of the hill with the rod of God in mine hand.
Ex. 17:10 So Joshua did as Moses had said to him, and fought with Amalek: and Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill.
Ex. 17:11 And it came to pass, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed: and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed.
Ex. 17:12 But Moses’ hands were heavy; and they took a stone, and put it under him, and he sat thereon; and Aaron and Hur stayed up his hands, the one on the one side, and the other on the other side; and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun.
Ex. 17:13 And Joshua discomfited Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword.
The Amalekites attacked the Israelites at Rephidim. The Amalekites were descendants of Esau’s grandson. We learn a bit more about their attack from Deuteronomy. It seems that they attacked from the rear, taking advantage of those who were weak and weary. It stands to reason that they had no fear of the LORD.
Deuteronomy 25:17–18 “Remember what Amalek did unto thee by the way, when ye were come forth out of Egypt; How he met thee by the way, and smote the hindmost of thee, even all that were feeble behind thee, when thou wast faint and weary; and he feared not God.”
Moses gave Joshua instructions to choose some of the men and go out to fight them. The next day he would stand on top of the hill with the staff of God in his hands.
The first thing that hits me is that Moses doesn’t hesitate in his response and is confident that he is instructing Joshua correctly. The longer and more consistently we walk with the LORD, the surer we will become in acting in accordance to His will.
The next thing I noticed is that he instructed Joshua to choose men and go fight (immediately seems to be implied); however, he would show up with the staff of God the next day. Joshua didn’t hesitate; he obeyed. He recognized Moses as God’s representative.
The next day, Moses, Aaron and Hur went to the top of the hill. (3/10 – According to Josephus, the Jewish historian, Hur was Miriam’s husband, Moses’ brother-in law.) As long as Moses held up his hands with the staff of God, the Israelites were winning; but when he lowered his hands, the Amalekites would start winning. So, when Moses grew tired, they put a stone under him to sit on and Aaron and Hur held up his hands until sunset. The result—Joshua and his men won the battle.
It is an interesting side note that when I picture Moses holding the staff up with both hands, I picture Jesus on the cross. It seems obvious that the raised hands of Moses provided a visual picture of the fact that the Israelites were looking to God for deliverance. We aren’t told that Moses did this because he was instructed to do so. I believe Moses stepped out in faith and that the LORD responded to the faith of His servant Moses and to those who obeyed Moses in faith as God’s appointed leader.
Wiersbe: “We need the battles of life to help balance the blessings of life; otherwise, we’ll become too confident and comfortable and stop trusting the Lord.”
Ex. 17:14 And the LORD said unto Moses, Write this for a memorial in a book, and rehearse it in the ears of Joshua: for I will utterly put out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven.
Ex. 17:15 And Moses built an altar, and called the name of it Jehovahnissi:
Ex. 17:16 For he said, Because the LORD hath sworn that the LORD will have war with Amalek from generation to generation.
Then the LORD instructed Moses to write what happened on a scroll as something important to be remembered in generations to come. (Clarke notes that this is the first mention of writing in scripture. Personally, I believe that Adam and Eve were created with the ability to write just as surely as they had the ability to communicate verbally with an innate language.) He is to make sure that Joshua hears and understands this instruction and the reason why. (I think this is because he will be the leader to succeed Moses and only one of two to enter the Promised Land out of this generation of adults.) The LORD wanted His people to know their history of deliverance.
The LORD declares that He will blot out the memory of Amalek from under heaven. It seems that this written record will be the only means left for affirming this incident ever happened. Moses immediately built an altar to honor the LORD for the victory and named it Jehovahnissi, “The LORD is my Banner.” The banner represents the rallying point and the standard or symbol of allegiance to one we serve. Then we are told that the LORD will be against the Amalekites in war from generation to generation. This implies that the destruction of Amalek will happen over a period of time. I think that the Amalekites are representative of any enemy nation that comes against God’s people, the Israelites.
Guzik: “Because of God’s strong command to battle against Amalek until they were completely conquered, many see the Amalekites as a picture of our flesh, the unspiritual aspect of man that makes war against the spirit. In this sense, “Amalek” constantly battles against the spirit and must be struggled against until completely conquered (Galatians 5:17).”
Galatians 5:17 “For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.”
Ex. 18:1 When Jethro, the priest of Midian, Moses’ father in law, heard of all that God had done for Moses, and for Israel his people, and that the LORD had brought Israel out of Egypt;
Ex. 18:2 Then Jethro, Moses’ father in law, took Zipporah, Moses’ wife, after he had sent her back,
Ex. 18:3 And her two sons; of which the name of the one was Gershom; for he said, I have been an alien in a strange land:
Ex. 18:4 And the name of the other was Eliezer; for the God of my father, said he, was mine help, and delivered me from the sword of Pharaoh:
Ex. 18:5 And Jethro, Moses’ father in law, came with his sons and his wife unto Moses into the wilderness, where he encamped at the mount of God:
Ex. 18:6 And he said unto Moses, I thy father in law Jethro am come unto thee, and thy wife, and her two sons with her.
They may not have had technological conveniences to help spread the news—but news did spread. Moses’ father-in-law, Jethro, the priest of Midian, had heard of everything God had done for Moses and for His people Israel and how He had brought them out of Egypt. Evidently Moses had sent his wife and two sons back home to Jethro before going back to Egypt after meeting up with Aaron in the desert. (Maybe because of her attitude toward obedience to God re the circumcision of their son.) At any rate, Jethro came to meet Moses in the desert, bringing him his wife and sons, Gershom and Eliezer. Gershom’s name was a reminder of Moses’ status as an alien in Midian; and Eliezer’s name, “God is my helper,” was probably a reminder that God had delivered Moses from the hand of Pharaoh.
Moses was camped at “the mount of God,” (Mt. Horeb aka Mr. Sinai), the same term used to describe where God had appeared to him in the burning bush, which meant he was fairly close to his father-in-law’s home.
Exodus 3:1 “Now Moses kept the flock of Jethro his father in law, the priest of Midian: and he led the flock to the backside of the desert, and came to the mountain of God, even to Horeb.”
Courson makes an interesting analogy. He declares Zipporah and Moses to be types of Israel and God, respectively. He states: “It was Jethro, the priest of Midian, the Gentile priest, who brought Zipporah back into unity with Moses. Paul declares that God will us the Gentiles, the church, us, to provoke His people to jealousy (Romans 11:11).”
Ex. 18:7 And Moses went out to meet his father in law, and did obeisance, and kissed him; and they asked each other of their welfare; and they came into the tent.
Ex. 18:8 And Moses told his father in law all that the LORD had done unto Pharaoh and to the Egyptians for Israel’s sake, and all the travail that had come upon them by the way, and how the LORD delivered them.
Ex. 18:9 And Jethro rejoiced for all the goodness which the LORD had done to Israel, whom he had delivered out of the hand of the Egyptians.
Ex. 18:10 And Jethro said, Blessed be the LORD, who hath delivered you out of the hand of the Egyptians, and out of the hand of Pharaoh, who hath delivered the people from under the hand of the Egyptians.
Ex. 18:11 Now I know that the LORD is greater than all gods: for in the thing wherein they dealt proudly he was above them.
Ex. 18:12 And Jethro, Moses’ father in law, took a burnt offering and sacrifices for God: and Aaron came, and all the elders of Israel, to eat bread with Moses’ father in law before God.
Moses was evidently told that Jethro was coming, and he went out to meet him and bowed down and kissed him. (I am sure as a sign of respect and gratitude.) After greeting each other, they went into the tent; and Moses told him everything God had done to Pharaoh and the Egyptians and for Israel as they had faced many hardships on their journey. Jethro rejoiced over God’s goodness and deliverance of Israel. Jethro praised the LORD for showing him that He was indeed greater than all other gods. The powers attributed to them were nothing compared to God’s power as shown by the actions He had taken on behalf of the Israelites. Then Jethro brought a burnt offering and other sacrifices to God as proof of his belief in Him. Aaron came with all the elders of Israel to eat bread with Jethro before God (knowing that God was aware of what was happening). I think this was a sign of acceptance of Jethro as part of the community of faith in fellowship with the people of Israel.
It’s interesting to note that when we first encountered Jethro in the narrative, he was identified as “the priest of Midian” (2:16). It seems obvious to me that he wasn’t a priest of God Almighty at that time. Sounds like a conversion experience at this point.
Ex. 18:13 And it came to pass on the morrow, that Moses sat to judge the people: and the people stood by Moses from the morning unto the evening.
Ex. 18:14 And when Moses’ father in law saw all that he did to the people, he said, What is this thing that thou doest to the people? why sittest thou thyself alone, and all the people stand by thee from morning unto even?
Ex. 18:15 And Moses said unto his father in law, Because the people come unto me to enquire of God:
Ex. 18:16 When they have a matter, they come unto me; and I judge between one and another, and I do make them know the statutes of God, and his laws.
The next day Moses takes his position as judge for the people who stand around him (evidently waiting their turn) from morning until night. This appears to be the normal daily routine during times they are camped in a specific area. After observing Moses for a day, Jethro questioned him as to why he was doing this. Moses told him that the people came to him to seek God’s will when they had disputes between one another. This seemed to be the natural thing to do since Moses had been identified as God’s chosen leader and verified as such by the miracles God had performed through him.
It stands out to me that Moses told Jethro that he informs the people about the statutes and laws of God. This obviously implies an existing source for those statutes and laws. We learned in Genesis that Abraham was aware of such a set of commandments, statutes and laws.
Genesis 26:5 “Because that Abraham obeyed my voice, and kept my charge, my commandments, my statutes, and my laws.”
Ex. 18:17 And Moses’ father in law said unto him, The thing that thou doest is not good.
Ex. 18:18 Thou wilt surely wear away, both thou, and this people that is with thee: for this thing is too heavy for thee; thou art not able to perform it thyself alone.
Ex. 18:19 Hearken now unto my voice, I will give thee counsel, and God shall be with thee: Be thou for the people to God-ward, that thou mayest bring the causes unto God:
Ex. 18:20 And thou shalt teach them ordinances and laws, and shalt shew them the way wherein they must walk, and the work that they must do.
Jethro recognizes that the load is too great for one man. As a priest, a leader among his people, and a concerned father-in-law, he presumes to give Moses some advice to consider to better meet everyone’s needs. As the people’s representative before God, Moses should teach the people God’s decrees and laws, showing them the way to live and the duties they are to perform. (The only laws and specifics we have been informed about to this point have been concerning Passover, the Feast of Unleavened Bread, and the consecration of the firstborn. Again, this implies that there is a source of other guidelines and directives to follow.
Ex. 18:21 Moreover thou shalt provide out of all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness; and place such over them, to be rulers of thousands, and rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens:
Ex. 18:22 And let them judge the people at all seasons: and it shall be, that every great matter they shall bring unto thee, but every small matter they shall judge: so shall it be easier for thyself, and they shall bear the burdenwith thee.
Ex. 18:23 If thou shalt do this thing, and God command thee so, then thou shalt be able to endure, and all this people shall also go to their place in peace.
After making everyone aware of God’s laws and statutes, Moses should then select capable men to help him who fear God, are trustworthy and who hate dishonest gain. He should appoint them as officials over groups of thousands that are further divided into groups of hundreds, fifties, and tens. These men can serve as judges for the people, bringing only the difficult cases to Moses. If Moses does this with God’s approval, it will make the load bearable and still keep everyone satisfied.
The record in Numbers tells us a bit more, affirming God’s stamp of approval on this plan.
Numbers 11:16–17 “And the LORD said unto Moses, Gather unto me seventy men of the elders of Israel, whom thou knowest to be the elders of the people, and officers over them; and bring them unto the tabernacle of the congregation, that they may stand there with thee. And I will come down and talk with thee there: and I will take of the spirit which is upon thee, and will put it upon them; and they shall bear the burden of the people with thee, that thou bear it not thyself alone.”
Ex. 18:24 So Moses hearkened to the voice of his father in law, and did all that he had said.
Ex. 18:25 And Moses chose able men out of all Israel, and made them heads over the people, rulers of thousands, rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens.
Ex. 18:26 And they judged the people at all seasons: the hard causes they brought unto Moses, but every small matter they judged themselves.
Ex. 18:27 And Moses let his father in law depart; and he went his way into his own land.
Moses listened to Jethro and followed his advice. He then said goodbye to his father-in-law, and Jethro went back home. It is implied that Moses’ wife and children remained with him.
As a wife and mom, I’m a bit disappointed that no mention is made of joyful reunion between husband and wife and father and sons. I’m sure it was a happy reunion—but the focus of this record is on Moses as the mediator or representative between God and Israel. The thought process in that culture was so different from that of today’s. I think the key truth being taught here is that serving God in obedience is to be the priority in our life.