Exodus Chapter 17
The people of Israel were not ready to fight in wars nor were they strong enough. They had spent to many years in captivity as slaves in Egypt. They were not prepared to fight. God purposefully routed their journey in such a way to avoid enemies and to protect them. But in this chapter, He will show them once again that He is their God as they go into battle against Amalek.
Let's Reflect
1. Following the pillar of cloud they were following where God led them, but they found themselves once again without water. What was the first thing the people started doing because of their lack of water to drink?
2. When Moses prayed to the Lord regarding the people’s complaints, he mentioned that the people were so angry with him that he feared they might do what?
3. God was going to once again perform a miracle using something that Moses was familiar with, his rod. The people did get water at Horeb. What was the miracle?
4. We find that Moses gave this place where God performed a miracle for them Massah and Meriah. These names will come up later in scripture. What question did the people say in this place that sounds like a terrible question for them to have asked? Do Christians today ever ask this question when going through difficult times?
5. The remaining verses of the chapter talk about the attack of Amalek on the Israelites. Moses knew instinctively that He needed to pray and ask God to fight for them. Who did Moses choose to lead some men in battle against Amalek?
6. As Moses prayed, he lifted his arms with his rod toward heaven. What happened when his arms got too tired from being held up in the air?
7. Verse 13 tells us that they overwhelmed Amalek that day. But Moses knew who to give the credit to. He knew the Lord had given them the victory. This victory was something that God told Moses to write down in a book as a memorial. It was important to remember how God had won the battle for them. Moses also created an altar, and he named it Yahweh-Nissi. What does that mean?
