Bible Reading
Exodus 17:1-16 “All the congregation of the people of Israel moved on from the wilderness of Sin by stages, according to the commandment of the Lord, and camped at Rephidim, but there was no water for the people to drink. Therefore the people quarreled with Moses and said, “Give us water to drink.” And Moses said to them, “Why do you quarrel with me? Why do you test the Lord?” But the people thirsted there for water, and the people grumbled against Moses and said, “Why did you bring us up out of Egypt, to kill us and our children and our livestock with thirst?” So Moses cried to the Lord, “What shall I do with this people? They are almost ready to stone me.” And the Lord said to Moses, “Pass on before the people, taking with you some of the elders of Israel, and take in your hand the staff with which you struck the Nile, and go. Behold, I will stand before you there on the rock at Horeb, and you shall strike the rock, and water shall come out of it, and the people will drink.” And Moses did so, in the sight of the elders of Israel. And he called the name of the place Massah and Meribah, because of the quarreling of the people of Israel, and because they tested the Lord by saying, “Is the Lord among us or not?” Then Amalek came and fought with Israel at Rephidim. So Moses said to Joshua, “Choose for us men, and go out and fight with Amalek. Tomorrow I will stand on the top of the hill with the staff of God in my hand.” So Joshua did as Moses told him, and fought with Amalek, while Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill. 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. And Joshua overwhelmed Amalek and his people with the sword. Then the Lord said to Moses, “Write this as a memorial in a book and recite it in the ears of Joshua, that I will utterly blot out the memory of Amalek from under heaven.” And Moses built an altar and called the name of it, The Lord Is My Banner, saying, “A hand upon the throne of the Lord! The Lord will have war with Amalek from generation to generation.”
[03:55]Romans 12:1-2 “I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”
[26:38]1 Corinthians 10:1-4 “For I do not want you to be unaware, brothers, that our fathers were all under the cloud, and all passed through the sea, and all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea, and all ate the same spiritual food, and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank from the spiritual Rock that followed them, and the Rock was Christ.”
[10:52]Observation questions
- In Exodus 17, what did Israel do when they had no water, and how did Moses respond to their complaint? [05:15]
- What did God tell Moses to take with him to Horeb, and who was present when water came from the rock? [08:50]
- During the battle with Amalek, what happened when Moses’ hands were raised, and what did Aaron and Hur do when his hands became heavy? [20:08]
- According to Romans 12:1-2, what two responses are believers called to make because of God’s mercy? [27:09]
Interpretation questions
- Israel had witnessed God’s power and care, yet thirst quickly brought out complaining and unbelief. What does this show about why a person can still struggle with old worldly habits after salvation? [06:30]
- First Corinthians 10 identifies the rock as Christ. How does this help explain why Christ, rather than personal strength or human effort, is the solid foundation for a thirsty and struggling believer? [11:03]
- Moses fought the battle in one place, Joshua and the chosen men fought in another, and Aaron and Hur gave support on the hill. What does this reveal about the different but necessary ways God’s people serve in a spiritual battle? [19:37]
- Romans 12 calls presenting one’s body to God “reasonable service.” Why is surrendering one’s abilities, time, words, and actions a response to mercy rather than an attempt to earn salvation? [27:09]
Application questions
- When pressure, discomfort, or uncertainty comes, what kind of “Egypt” is most likely to show back up in your life—complaining, fear, selfishness, anger, or something else? What would yielding that area to God look like this week? [31:51]
- The Holy Spirit lives in every saved person, but He does not automatically have every part of that person. Is there an area of your hands, feet, eyes, ears, tongue, schedule, or desires that you have been holding back from God? [12:57]
- Christ is the Rock beneath tired and weak servants. Where have you been trying to stand on your own strength, and how can you deliberately rest on Christ in that situation? [22:03]
- Aaron and Hur did not criticize Moses for being tired; they saw the need and helped carry the burden. Who in the church, family, or group may need practical encouragement or support from you right now? What could you do this week? [23:48]
- Moses had to humble himself and accept help. Is it easier for you to carry everything alone or to let others help you? What might humility look like in a burden you are carrying? [25:03]
- The Lord is the believer’s banner. In what setting—work, school, family, or community—are you most tempted to blend in rather than be openly identified with Christ? What is one gracious, faithful way to stand for Him there? [38:18]
