FAITH UNDER FIRE: STRIKING THE ROCK (EXODUS 17)

“For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.” (Romans 15:4, KJV)

ABSTRACT

This article delves into the biblical narratives of Israel’s experiences at Rephidim and Kadesh, highlighting themes of trust, obedience, and God’s provision amid trials. Drawing from Scripture and the inspired writings of Ellen G. White, it examines how these ancient events offer timeless lessons for our spiritual journey, emphasizing God’s love, our duties to Him, and our support for one another in the community.

JOURNEY THROUGH FAITH’S FORGE!

In the journey of faith, moments of trial serve as refining fires, exposing the depths of human frailty and the boundless grace of God. Unity depends on a vital connection with Christ. The story of Moses and Israel at Rephidim and Kadesh reveals profound lessons on trust, obedience, and divine provision. Scripture shows that trials build character and deepen reliance on God, as seen in the Israelites’ wilderness wanderings where God tested their hearts to reveal their true allegiance. Ellen G. White illuminates this by stating that God permits trials to purify His people and prepare them for greater blessings. “My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.” (James 1:2-3, KJV). “And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope.” (Romans 5:3-4, KJV). “Trials and obstacles are the Lord’s chosen methods of discipline and His appointed conditions of success.” (The Acts of the Apostles, p. 524, 1911). “The season of distress and anguish before us will require a faith that can endure weariness, delay, and hunger—a faith that will not faint though severely tried.” (The Great Controversy, p. 621, 1911). As we examine these historical accounts, we shall uncover insights that shape our responsibilities to God and to one another, drawing from the rich treasury of Scripture and the inspired counsel of Ellen G. White. These narratives, etched in the annals of sacred history, offer a mirror reflecting our own spiritual walk, urging us toward a deeper commitment to the divine will. In times of need, do we, like Israel, allow our present discomfort to overshadow God’s past faithfulness and His promises for the future, or do we choose to trust His unfailing provision?

FAITH FALTERS IN DESERT DOUBT!

The encampment at Rephidim became a battleground of trust, a place where the fledgling faith of Israel was severely tested. Doubt arises when immediate needs eclipse memories of divine deliverance. Their immediate response to the lack of water was not prayer or remembrance of God’s past miracles, but rather complaint and accusation, highlighting the human tendency to doubt in the face of adversity. “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” (Exodus 17:1, KJV). The people, instead of recalling God’s past deliverances, murmured against Moses, accusing him of bringing them into the wilderness to die (Exodus 17:3). This demonstrates the fickle nature of human faith when tested by physical need, a pattern often repeated in our own lives. “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?” (Exodus 17:3, KJV). “Yea, they spake against God; they said, Can God furnish a table in the wilderness?” (Psalm 78:19, KJV). “Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer.” (1 Corinthians 10:10, KJV). Sr. White confirms this tendency: “When they had been so abundantly supplied with food, they remembered with shame their unbelief and murmurings and promised to trust the Lord in the future; but they soon forgot their promise and failed at the first trial of their faith” (Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 297). She further elaborates on their lack of trust: “They did not remember how often He had manifested His power in their deliverance. They forgot the bitter cry of distress in Egypt. They forgot the goodness and power of God displayed in their behalf in their deliverance from bondage.” (The Spirit of Prophecy, vol. 1, p. 283). And again: “Instead of trusting in God in their necessity, they murmured against Him, and reproached His chosen servant, Moses.” (The Spirit of Prophecy, vol. 1, p. 283). “Harden not your hearts, as in the provocation, in the day of temptation in the wilderness: When your fathers tempted me, proved me, and saw my works forty years.” (Hebrews 3:8-9, KJV). “Therefore I was grieved with that generation, and said, They do alway err in their heart; and they have not known my ways.” (Hebrews 3:10, KJV). “The Lord suffered His people to be brought into strait places, that they might learn to trust in Him.” (Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 437, 1890). “Unbelief shuts the door to God’s blessings, and murmurings provoke His displeasure.” (Testimonies for the Church, vol. 4, p. 162, 1876). In times of need, do we, like Israel, allow our present discomfort to overshadow God’s past faithfulness and His promises for the future, or do we choose to trust His unfailing provision?

ROCK REVEALS DIVINE DELIVERANCE!

Despite Israel’s murmuring and lack of faith, God provided a miraculous solution, demonstrating His enduring patience and commitment to His people. Mercy flows even when doubt prevails. He instructed Moses to strike the rock at Horeb, promising that water would flow, a symbolic representation of Christ, the source of living water. “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” (Exodus 17:6, KJV). The apostle Paul identifies this rock as a type of Christ: “And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ” (1 Corinthians 10:4, KJV). The rock, seemingly barren and incapable of producing water, became a source of life-giving sustenance through God’s power, foreshadowing Christ’s role as the ultimate provider. “He clave the rocks in the wilderness, and gave them drink as out of the great depths.” (Psalm 78:15, KJV). “He opened the rock, and the waters gushed out; they ran in the dry places like a river.” (Psalm 105:41, KJV). “But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.” (John 4:14, KJV). Sr. White explains the significance: “Moses smote the rock, but it was the Son of God who, veiled in the cloudy pillar, stood beside Moses and caused the life-giving water to flow.” (Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 298). She further clarifies the spiritual meaning: “The water was a symbol of Christ, who, by His death, was to open a fountain of salvation to all who thirst.” (The Spirit of Prophecy, vol. 1, p. 285). And, connecting it to our experience: “As the refreshing waters flowed from the smitten rock, so from Christ, ‘smitten of God,’ ‘wounded for our transgressions,’ the stream of salvation flows forth for a lost race.” (Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 411). “Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation.” (Isaiah 12:3, KJV). “For my people have committed two evils; they have forsaken me the fountain of living waters, and hewed them out cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water.” (Jeremiah 2:13, KJV). “From the smitten rock in Horeb first flowed the living stream that refreshed Israel in the desert.” (Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 411, 1890). “Christ combines divine strength with human sympathy, a divine arm with a human arm.” (The Review and Herald, February 11, 1902). When we are spiritually parched and feel the dryness of our own efforts, do we drink deeply from Christ, the true Rock and the source of living water, or do we seek satisfaction in temporary, worldly substitutes?

IMPATIENCE IGNITES DIRE DISASTER!

The incident at Kadesh serves as a stark warning against impatience and presumption in our service to God. Haste distorts divine directives and invites judgment. Again, the people lacked water and murmured, but this time, God’s instructions to Moses were different, requiring only that he speak to the rock, not strike it. Moses’ disobedience, born of frustration, misrepresented God’s character and had severe consequences. God told Moses, “Take the rod, and gather thou the assembly together, thou, and Aaron thy brother, and speak ye unto the rock before their eyes; and it shall give forth his water, and thou shalt bring forth to them water out of the rock: so thou shalt give the congregation and their beasts drink” (Numbers 20:8, KJV). However, Moses, in anger, struck the rock twice: “And Moses lifted up his hand, and with his rod he smote the rock twice: and the water came out abundantly, and the congregation drank, and their beasts also” (Numbers 20:11, KJV). Moses’ disobedience, seemingly a small act, had profound implications, revealing a lack of trust and a failure to sanctify God before the people. God’s response was stern: “Because ye believed me not, to sanctify me in the eyes of the children of Israel, therefore ye shall not bring this congregation into the land which I have given them” (Numbers 20:12, KJV). “And the LORD spake unto Moses and Aaron, Because ye believed me not, to sanctify me in the eyes of the children of Israel, therefore ye shall not bring this congregation into the land which I have given them.” (Numbers 20:12, KJV). “They angered him also at the waters of strife, so that it went ill with Moses for their sakes: Because they provoked his spirit, so that he spake unadvisedly with his lips.” (Psalm 106:32-33, KJV). “But the LORD was wroth with me for your sakes, and would not hear me: and the LORD said unto me, Let it suffice thee; speak no more unto me of this matter.” (Deuteronomy 3:26, KJV). Sr. White explains the gravity of Moses’ sin: “Moses had taken to himself the glory that belonged to God, and he had thus weakened the force of the lesson which God designed to teach. He had failed to impress upon the people their obligation to honor and obey their Creator.” (The Spirit of Prophecy, vol. 1, p. 357). She further states: “By his rash act Moses took away the force of the lesson that God purposed to teach. The rock, being a symbol of Christ, had been once smitten, as Christ was to be once offered.” (Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 418). And elaborates “The striking of the rock the second time destroyed the significance of this beautiful figure of Christ.”(Signs of the Times, Feb 18, 1886). “Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath.” (Ephesians 4:26, KJV). “He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.” (Proverbs 16:32, KJV). “Moses manifested distrust of God, and impatience with the people.” (Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 417, 1890). “Presumption is a common temptation, and as Satan assails men with this, he obtains the victory nine times out of ten.” (Testimonies for the Church, vol. 4, p. 44, 1876). How often do we, in moments of frustration or perceived pressure, act in haste and presumption, failing to heed God’s specific commands and misrepresenting His character to those around us?

AMALEK ASSAULTS WEAKNESS WAR!

Rephidim also became a battlefield against external enemies, demonstrating the spiritual warfare that accompanies disobedience. Vulnerability invites adversarial attacks when faith wanes. The Amalekites attacked Israel, targeting the weak and weary, a consequence of Israel’s murmuring and lack of faith, illustrating the vulnerability that comes with spiritual weakness. “Then came Amalek, and fought with Israel in Rephidim” (Exodus 17:8, KJV). The Amalekites, representing Satan’s persistent opposition to God’s people, attacked the weak and weary (Deuteronomy 25:17-18, KJV). This attack was not a random event but a direct consequence of Israel’s spiritual state, highlighting the connection between obedience and protection. “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.” (Deuteronomy 25:17-18, KJV). “And it came to pass, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed: and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed.” (Exodus 17:11, KJV). “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” (James 4:7, KJV). Sr. White notes, “The Amalekites, a fierce, warlike tribe inhabiting that region, came out against them, and smote those who, faint and weary, had fallen into the rear” (Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 298). She also highlights God’s original plan: “It was not His [God] purpose that they [Israel] should gain the land by warfare, but by strict obedience to His commands.” (Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 392). And that “Because of their [Israelites] murmurings against Him, the Lord suffered them to be attacked by their enemies.” (Patriarchs and Prophets, pp. 298). The Amalekites represent the forces of evil that seek to exploit our weaknesses when we stray from God’s protection. “Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. The spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak.” (Mark 14:38, KJV). “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.” (1 Peter 5:8, KJV). “When the people murmured in adversity, they broke God’s covenant, and were deprived of His protection.” (Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 298, 1890). “Satan takes advantage of every unconsecrated element for the accomplishment of his purposes.” (Testimonies for the Church, vol. 1, p. 550, 1868). Are we vigilant in maintaining our spiritual strength through obedience and prayer, or have we allowed weariness and disobedience to make us vulnerable to attack?

LOVE SHINES THROUGH DISCIPLINE!

God’s actions, even in discipline, reveal His unwavering love and commitment to His people’s ultimate good. Compassion endures despite repeated failings. Despite Israel’s repeated failures, God continued to provide for their needs and protect them, demonstrating His long-suffering and redemptive purpose. He provided water from the rock, demonstrating His power and willingness to meet their physical needs, even when they did not deserve it. He also granted them victory over the Amalekites, showing His protective care and His commitment to fulfilling His promises. “For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth” (Hebrews 12:6, KJV). God’s discipline is not a sign of rejection but a manifestation of His love, designed to refine and restore His people to a right relationship with Him. “As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.” (Revelation 3:19, KJV). “My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him:” (Hebrews 12:5, KJV). “And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him: For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.”(Hebrews 12:5-6, KJV) Sr. White affirms, “Yet divine strength is to be combined with human effort” (Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 299). God does not forsake us in our struggles; rather, He invites us to trust in His care and participate in the process of restoration. She also notes: “God’s love for His people is constant and unwavering. He will not forsake them, even in their wanderings and backslidings.” (The Spirit of Prophecy, vol. 1, p. 287). And further elaborates that, “God permitted these trials to come upon Israel, that they might learn to trust in Him, and that they might appreciate His power and willingness to save.”(The Spirit of Prophecy, vol. 1, p. 287). “The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy.” (Psalm 103:8, KJV). “Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him.” (Psalm 103:13, KJV). “God does not willingly afflict or grieve the children of men, but He permits trials for our good.” (Steps to Christ, p. 92, 1892). “His love is changeless, and His promises are sure.” (The Ministry of Healing, p. 161, 1905). God’s love is evident in His patience, provision, and even His discipline, all of which are designed to draw us closer to Him and prepare us for the promised inheritance. How do we respond to God’s loving guidance in our daily lives?

TRUST TRIUMPHS OVER SELF-RELIANCE!

Our primary responsibility is unwavering trust and obedience, recognizing God’s sovereignty and wisdom in all circumstances. Submission honors the Creator’s perfect plan. We must trust God’s provision and follow His commands, even when they seem difficult or unclear, understanding that His ways are higher than our ways. “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths” (Proverbs 3:5-6, KJV). Moses’ failure at Kadesh warns us against presumption, teaching us the necessity of full submission to God’s will. This requires a conscious effort to surrender my will and seek His guidance in all things, acknowledging that He alone knows the best path for my life. “He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool: but whoso walketh wisely, he shall be delivered.” (Proverbs 28:26, KJV). “Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.” (Psalm 37:5, KJV). “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.” (Matthew 7:21). As Sr. White states, “The lessons that God sends will always be for our good, if we receive them in faith” (Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 420). We must acknowledge that God’s instructions are supreme and submit my will to His leading. She adds: “We are to trust in God, not in our own wisdom. We are to obey His commands, not our own inclinations.” (The Spirit of Prophecy, vol. 1, p. 359). And, “God requires of us implicit obedience to His law. We must learn to submit our will to His will.” (Testimonies for the Church, vol. 5, p. 50). “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD.” (Isaiah 55:8, KJV). “O LORD, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps.” (Jeremiah 10:23, KJV). “Obedience is the test of discipleship. It is the keeping of the commandments that proves the sincerity of our professions of love.” (Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing, p. 146, 1896). “True obedience comes from the heart. It was heart work with Christ.” (The Desire of Ages, p. 668, 1898). Our responsibility is to cultivate a heart of trust and obedience, recognizing God’s sovereignty and wisdom, and submitting my will to His perfect plan. How do we extend this commitment to those around us in the community?

COMMUNITY STRENGTHENS SHARED STRUGGLES!

Our responsibility extends to supporting and encouraging one another in the community, actively participating in the building up of the body of Christ. Unity fortifies against life’s battles. We must be a source of strength and encouragement to those around us, particularly in times of trial, recognizing that we are all members of one body and share a common spiritual journey. Aaron and Hur supported Moses by holding up his hands during the battle with Amalek: “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” (Exodus 17:12, KJV). “Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ” (Galatians 6:2, KJV). This illustrates the importance of community and mutual support in the Christian life, emphasizing that we are not meant to walk this path alone. “And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.” (Hebrews 10:24-25, KJV). “Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up.” (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10, KJV). “Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” (James 5:16, KJV). Sr. White emphasizes, “God’s people must draw together, sustaining one another in faith and prayer” (Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 300). Our duty is to encourage, support, and intercede for our brethren in their struggles. She further explains: “We are to be helpers of one another’s joy. We are to bear one another’s burdens. We are to strengthen the weak, to encourage the despondent, to lift up the fallen.” (The Review and Herald, June 4, 1889). And, “We are members of one body, and we are to help one another. If one member suffers, all the members suffer with it.” (The Review and Herald, July 23, 1895). “Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.” (1 Thessalonians 5:11, KJV). “Let every one of us please his neighbour for his good to edification.” (Romans 15:2, KJV). “Christians are to be co-workers with Christ, living channels through which His love can flow to others.” (The Ministry of Healing, p. 148, 1905). “Each has something to do for the Master, and each is dependent upon the other.” (Testimonies for the Church, vol. 9, p. 115, 1909). Our responsibility is to actively participate in the building up of the body of Christ through prayer, encouragement, practical support, and mutual accountability, recognizing that we are all interconnected and share a common destiny.

OBEDIENCE PATH LEADS TO VICTORY!

The experiences of Moses and Israel at Rephidim and Kadesh provide invaluable lessons for us today, a roadmap for navigating the challenges of the Christian life. Perseverance transforms trials into triumphs. The trials at Rephidim and Kadesh reveal timeless lessons: trust in divine provision, obedience to God’s commands, and reliance on intercession. These accounts call us to a faith that endures trials, a submission that seeks God’s glory above personal frustration, and a communal support system that strengthens the weak. The journey of ancient Israel serves as a potent reminder that faith is not a passive state but an active, ongoing commitment, requiring unwavering trust in God’s promises, diligent obedience to His word, and a steadfast commitment to supporting one another in the journey. May we, like Moses, learn from these experiences, growing in faith, obedience, and love for one another, and may we strive to walk the path of obedience, trusting in God’s unfailing love and guidance. May we remember that even in the wilderness, God is present, providing, protecting, and guiding His people toward the promised land. And, as we face our own trials, may we draw strength from these ancient narratives, finding renewed courage to persevere in faith, knowing that the same God who led Israel is with us today. “But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.” (Matthew 24:13, KJV). “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” (Philippians 4:13, KJV). “The path of obedience is the path of safety.” (Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 591, 1890). “True success in any line of work is not the result of chance or accident or destiny. It is the outworking of God’s providences, the reward of faith and discretion, of virtue and perseverance.” (Prophets and Kings, p. 486, 1917).

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FAITH UNDER FIRE: STRIKING THE ROCK (EXODUS 17)

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