Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible
Exodus Ch.17 / 40 Ch.s
EX:17
* The Israelites murmur for water at Rephidim, God sendeth it
out of the rock. (1-7) Amalek overcome, The prayers of Moses.
(8-16)
#1-7 The children of Israel journeyed according to the
commandment of the Lord, led by the pillar of cloud and fire,
yet they came to a place where there was no water for them to
drink. We may be in the way of duty, yet may meet with troubles,
which Providence brings us into, for the trial of our faith, and
that God may be glorified in our relief. They began to question
whether God was with them or not. This is called their "tempting
God," which signifies distrust of him after they had received
such proofs of his power and goodness. Moses mildly answered
them. It is folly to answer passion with passion; that makes bad
worse. God graciously appeared to help them. How wonderful the
patience and forbearance of God toward provoking sinners! That
he might show his power as well as his pity, and make it a
miracle of mercy, he gave them water out of a rock. God can open
fountains for us where we least expect them. Those who, in this
wilderness, keep to God's way, may trust him to provide for
them. Also, let this direct us to depend on Christ's grace. The
apostle says, that Rock was Christ, #1Co 10:4|, it was a type of
him. While the curse of God might justly have been executed upon
our guilty souls, behold the Son of God is smitten for us. Let
us ask and receive. There was a constant, abundant supply of
this water. Numerous as believers are, the supply of the Spirit
of Christ is enough for all. The water flowed from the rock in
streams to refresh the wilderness, and attended them on their
way towards Canaan; and this water flows from Christ, through
the ordinances, in the barren wilderness of this world, to
refresh our souls, until we come to glory. A new name was given
to the place, in remembrance, not of the mercy of their supply,
but of the sin of their murmuring: "Massah," Temptation, because
they tempted God; "Meribah," Strife, because they chid with
Moses. Sin leaves a blot upon the name.
#8-16 Israel engaged with Amalek in their own necessary defence.
God makes his people able, and calls them to various services
for the good of his church. Joshua fights, Moses prays, both
minister to Israel. The rod was held up, as the banner to
encourage the soldiers. Also to God, by way of appeal to him.
Moses was tired. The strongest arm will fail with being long
held out; it is God only whose hand is stretched out still. We
do not find that Joshua's hands were heavy in fighting, but
Moses' hands were heavy in praying; the more spiritual any
service is, the more apt we are to fail and flag in it. To
convince Israel that the hand of Moses, whom they had been
chiding, did more for their safety than their own hands, his rod
than their sword, the success rises and falls as Moses lifts up
or lets down his hands. The church's cause is more or less
successful, as her friends are more or less strong in faith, and
fervent in prayer. Moses, the man of God, is glad of help. We
should not be shy, either of asking help from others, or of
giving help to others. The hands of Moses being thus stayed,
were steady till the going down of the sun. It was great
encouragement to the people to see Joshua before them in the
field of battle, and Moses above them on the hill. Christ is
both to us; our Joshua, the Captain of our salvation, who fights
our battles, and our Moses, who ever lives, making intercession
above, that our faith fail not. Weapons formed against God's
Israel cannot prosper long, and shall be broken at last. Moses
must write what had been done, what Amalek had done against
Israel; write their bitter hatred; write their cruel attempts;
let them never be forgotten, nor what God had done for Israel in
saving them from Amalek. Write what should be done; that in
process of time Amalek should be totally ruined and rooted out.
Amalek's destruction was typical of the destruction of all the
enemies of Christ and his kingdom.