Ex 17 • Main Sanc • 3/15/23

Introduction

Good evening family! It’s good to see you all here at the MIDWEEK Bible Study.

As you can see, Pastor Clark is not in today. He & Sally are at Calvary Chapel Dickenson, one of our sister churches in North Dakota.

Sally is speaking at their women’s conference and Pastor Clark will be teaching at their Sunday service.

If you didn’t know, Pastor Ron & Stephanie of calvary chapel Dickenson are originally from here, the barn, and apparently their church is thriving and doing great.

Well, if you don’t know me, my name is Anthony. I am one of the Pastor’s here on staff and I serve the High School ministry and I’ve been there now for almost 7 years. 7 Short years.

I have a beautiful Prov 19:14 wife (if you don’t know what that is look it up yourselves) who has blessed me with 4 beautiful children.

Well, with that, let’s get right into our study for today.

If you have your bibles open up with me to the book of Exodus, Exodus 17.

Mention my cough...

Review & Overview

1. Exodus Outline

There are two basic themes in Exodus and they both tie together:

Redemption - Which is portrayed in the Passover event

Deliverance - Which is portrayed in the Exodus from Egypt

And we see that the Redemption & Deliverance of God’s people is accomplished by the shedding of blood and by the power of God.

Which both point to Jesus & the Gospel message.

Up to this point: God’s Superior Power has been put on display by pouring out His wrath on Egypt with the 10 plagues.

God has also parted the red sea to deliver them from the Egyptian army.

And beginning in Ch. 15 we begin a section that I’ve titled: God, Preserving The Undeserving.

We see God go from His omnipotence, to His gracious presence, by preserving an underserving Israel.

Ch. 15-18 deals w/ God preserving Israel in spite of their lack of faith.

God preserves Israel through thirst, hunger, war, & internal chaos.

2. Previous Study’s Review

Chp.16 Is a familiar portion of scripture where the Lord provides Manna from Heaven… 

And with Only 30 days out of Egypt the people weren’t satisfied with water & dates… they wanted Meat & Bread

And the Lord was so gracious…   He gave them quail in the evening and bread in the morning…

3. Current Study’s Overview

Now that brings us to chp.17…  As we continuing the series called “Preserving The Undeserving” as we follow Israel wander in the wilderness.

If you are taking notes, we are going to look at 3 things today:

The Testing of the Lord Vs. 1-7

The Triumph by the Lord Vs. 8-13

The Testimony to the Lord Vs 14-16

1. The Testing of the Lord Vs. 1-7

1.1 God Guidance Vs.1-2a

The Wilderness of Sin is the South West region of the Sinai Peninsula…   Rephidim is just north of Mt. Horeb, in the Southern region of the Sinai Peninsula…

Now notice, there at the end of Vs. 1 in Rephidim there was no water for the people to drink.

This is interesting, because it was the Lord who was leading, guiding & directing them…   it was God who brought them to a place where there was no water…         why?

Pop Off! Why would God do that?

APPLICATION: No doubt to Test them to see what they would do…   And this is something really similar that Jesus did with the story of the feeding of the 5,000…  

Jesus told Philip to buy the people bread, Philip responded by saying, “we don’t have enough money to buy everyone food” - And  in John 6:6 the Bible tells us, He said this...

John 6:6 NKJV

6 But this He said to test him, for He Himself knew what He would do.

To see if he would rely upon his own resources…       or      on the resources of the Lord…

1. The Testing of the Lord Vs. 1-7

1.2 Testing the Lord Vs. 2b-3

So once again Israel is complaining but not only that, they are now contending with moses.

Contend Definition - To institute legal proceedings against someone; to file a suit.

In fact, at the end of Vs. 4 Moses said, they are almost ready to stone him.

So the people were against Moses, they were taking it out on Moses. (Pause).

But do you know what’s compelling about this? (Pause) What Moses Knew...

Moses knew, that the people’s issue is not between him and them, it is between them and God. (Pause).

at the end of Vs. 2 Moses said, “Why do you tempt the Lord?” Again he says in the previous chapter...

Exodus 16:8 NKJV

8 Also Moses said, “This shall be seen when the Lord gives you meat to eat in the evening, and in the morning bread to the full; for the Lord hears your complaints which you make against Him. And what are we? Your complaints are not against us but against the Lord.”

Moses understood that their issue was not horizontal but vertical. (Pause).

APPLICATION: Notice, good leaders don’t take things personal.

Good leaders don’t take things personal because they are being led by God, they know they are being directed by God.

This is why, if you are a leader, it is so important to know where God is leading you.

Because in the event of people coming against you - You understand that they are really coming against the plans of God.

APPLICATION: Also notice, that this ill-treatment came from the same camp, from the same team!

You know, sometimes the hardest persecution comes from within and not from without.

We expect the world to come against us, that’s fine. but not the church, not our family?

Moses didn’t take it personally, because he knew God’s plans personally.

1. The Testing of the Lord Vs. 1-7

So the truth is: Israel was tempting the Lord, or trying the Lord, the word tempt here is the word to test, they were testing the Lord.

And unfortunately, they weren’t the ones to give the test. God is the one that was originally testing them.

APPLICATION: The Irony. often times, it is when we are in the middle of a God given test, that is when we want to put God to the test.

APPLICATION: You know, when we put the Lord to the test…   What we’re saying is, Lord I don’t trust You…

Testing God is a sin, because it demonstrates a lack of faith, trust, and respect for God.

If you are taking notes, There are at least 4 reasons why tempting God is considered sinful:

1. Lack of faith: Tempting God is trying to force God to act in a specific way, to prove His existence, His power, or His love.

It’s a lack of faith, because it implies one does not truly believe in God's presence and capabilities without seeing a sign.

2. Disrespectful and Irreverent: Because it fails to acknowledge His sovereignty and authority.

By testing God, one is essentially questioning God’s divine nature, and treating Him as a mere mortal or object to be manipulated.

3. Prideful and self-centered: Because it prioritizes one's own desires and understanding above God.

This attitude is contrary to the humility and submission that we as Christians are called too.

It implies that we know better than God, and so we try to coerce Him into acting according to our own desires.

4. Distraction from spiritual growth: When we test God it distracts us from what God is trying to teach us.

Which is often to foster spiritual growth so we can have a better relationship with Him.

And putting the Lord to the test is not only a sin, it can lead to some very severe consequences…    

Hebrews 3:7–11 NKJV

7 Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says: “Today, if you will hear His voice, 8 Do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion, In the day of trial in the wilderness, 9 Where your fathers tested Me, tried Me, And saw My works forty years. 10 Therefore I was angry with that generation, And said, ‘They always go astray in their heart, And they have not known My ways.’ 11 So I swore in My wrath, ‘They shall not enter My rest.’ ”

And not only is testing God a sin and can lead to severe consequences, testing the Lord is demonic, testing the Lord is a work of satan. In...

Matthew 4:1 NKJV

1 Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.

In Matthew 4:3 he is called the tempter

Matthew 4:3 NKJV

3 Now when the tempter came to Him, he said, “If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.”

And at his second pursuit to tempt the Lord...

Matthew 4:5–6 NKJV

5 Then the devil took Him up into the holy city, set Him on the pinnacle of the temple, 6 and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down. For it is written: ‘He shall give His angels charge over you,’ and, ‘In their hands they shall bear you up, Lest you dash your foot against a stone.’ ”

In other words, hey Jesus, God said this, now prove to me God can really do this.

But notice how Jesus responds, He doesn’t say, “Alright i’ll show you!” (That’s pride).

Matthew 4:7 NKJV

7 Jesus said to him, “It is written again, ‘You shall not tempt the Lord your God.’ ”

Many believe that Jesus’ words were completely directed to satan.

Jesus is not going to prove to satan that God can do it because Jesus know and has the faith that God can send angels.

It is Jesus that is applying that verse to Himself.

Jesus was humble to not give into the schemes of the devil and act out of pride.

In addition, here Jesus is quoting Deuteronomy 6 where Moses is reminded of this very story in Ex. 17.

Deuteronomy 6:16 NKJV

16 “You shall not tempt the Lord your God as you tempted Him in Massah.

Exodus 17:7 NKJV

7 So he called the name of the place Massah and Meribah, because of the contention of the children of Israel, and because they tempted the Lord, saying, “Is the Lord among us or not?”

So Jesus was quoting this very situation we have here in Ex. 17.

With all of that, consider how Moses responds.

1. The Testing of the Lord Vs. 1-7

1.3 Crying Out the the Lord Vs. 4

APPLICATION: When we’re in a difficult or dangerous situation its always good to Cry out to the Lord, Lord, what do I do - Turning to the Lord for help…  

Especially if you are in the leadership position and the people do not agree with the plans.

APPLICATION: Here is another leadership characteristic we learn from Moses. Only God can provide the needs for the people. Not you.

You don’t have what your spouse needs, you don’t have what your kids need, your employees, your co-workers etc.

But God does, so Go to Him.

Moses understood that solving this physical problem…        involved a spiritual solution…

Psalm 121:1 NKJV

1 I will lift up my eyes to the hills—From whence comes my help?

1. The Testing of the Lord Vs. 1-7

1.4 The Rock Vs. 5-6

All of this murmuring…  grumbling…   & complaining for nothing…

The Children of Israel didn’t need to Worry about their Food or Water…   the Lord provided it…

And you know that is what Jesus tells us in...

Matthew 6:25 NKJV

25 “Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing?

Matthew 6:34 NKJV

34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.

Now this Rock that gave them Water is very significant…   because in 1 Cor.10:1-4 Paul gives us some information about it…      Read.    

1 Corinthians 10:1–4 NKJV

1 Moreover, brethren, I do not want you to be unaware that all our fathers were under the cloud, all passed through the sea, 2 all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea, 3 all ate the same spiritual food, 4 and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them, and that Rock was Christ.

So Jesus is the Rock and there are many parallels to this rock and Jesus Christ:

1. Source of Living Water: Here the rock provided living water to the thirsty Israelites, sustaining their physical life.

Jesus is the source of living water (John 4:10, 7:37-39), and those who believe in Him will have eternal life (John 4:14).

John 7:37 NKJV

37 On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink.

2. Struck for Our Benefit: Moses struck the rock to provide water for the people. Jesus was struck (crucified) for our sins, and through His sacrifice, we receive salvation and eternal life (Isaiah 53:4-5, 1 Peter 2:24).

Isaiah 53:4–5 NKJV

4 Surely He has borne our griefs And carried our sorrows; Yet we esteemed Him stricken, Smitten by God, and afflicted. 5 But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed.

3. Provided Their Divine Presence: The rock accompanied the Israelites on their journey through the wilderness, providing for their needs.

1 Corinthians 10:4 (NKJV)

...For they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them, and that Rock was Christ.

Now I have to admit, when I first read that I was like wow! The rock was following them!?

I pictured the character, remember the character “the thing” from fantastic 4?

I pictured Jesus in a rock form just following the Israelites.

But then I read verse 4 again and Paul was spiritually speaking, he said that “spiritual rock”.

And then I was like ok. But what I got from all that was that: Jesus rocks...

Now, in a similar way, Jesus is always with His people (Matthew 28:20), guiding and sustaining us through our journey.

Matthew 28:20 NKJV

20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.

4. The Testing in the Wilderness: The Israelites tested God at Massah (Exodus 17:7). Jesus was also tested in the wilderness by Satan.

5. Rock is our Foundation: In the Old Testament, God is often referred to as a rock, symbolizing strength, stability, and protection (Psalm 18:2, 62:6-7).

Psalm 18:2 NKJV

2 The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; My God, my strength, in whom I will trust; My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.

Psalm 62:6–7 NKJV

6 He only is my rock and my salvation; He is my defense; I shall not be moved. 7 In God is my salvation and my glory; The rock of my strength, And my refuge, is in God.

In the NT, Jesus is our rock the cornerstone (Ephesians 2:20, 1 Peter 2:6) and the foundation upon which the Church is built (Matthew 16:18).

Ephesians 2:20 NKJV

20 having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone,

2.  The Triumph by the Lord Vs. 8-13

2.1 Who is Amalek? Why did they Fight? Vs. 8

Amalek is the son of Eliphaz the grandson of Esau, Jacob’s brother...  he was the leader of the Amalekites…  They were a fierce tribe of warriors.

And it is unclear as to why they came to fight with Israel:

Territorial disputes: The Amalekites might have viewed the Israelites as a threat to their land and resources...

Historical animosity: The Bible records a long-standing rivalry between Jacob and Esau, which might have contributed to the animosity between their descendants.

Good Opportunity: The Israelites were a large, vulnerable group of former slaves with little military experience, traveling through the desert. The Amalekites may have seen an opportunity to exploit the Israelites' weaknesses and seize their possessions.

Spiritual Reason: The Amalekites in the Bible is a picture of the flesh.

And anytime we receive the blessing of God’s filling (in this case, the water from the rock) the flesh will always wage war against the Spirit.

And there are many parallels between the flesh and the Amalekites but we don’t have time to go over them today.

Galatians 5:17 NKJV

17 For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish.

2.  The Triumph by the Lord Vs. 8-13

2.2 Harmony W/ The Physical & The Spiritual Vs. 9-13

Here we see Joshua for the 1st time…   he of coarse will be the man that God raises up to lead the Children of Israel into the Promised Land…     

This fellow Hur we don’t know much about…  he is only mentioned here & Ex.24:14.

According to the ancient Jewish historian Josephus, Hur was the husband of Miriam, Moses’ sister.

This same Hur was later left with Aaron to supervise the people while Moses was on Mount Sinai (24:14).

Exodus 24:14 NKJV

14 And he said to the elders, “Wait here for us until we come back to you. Indeed, Aaron and Hur are with you. If any man has a difficulty, let him go to them.”

So these two men came along side of Moses and lifted up his arms…  supported him and helped him…

2.  The Triumph by the Lord Vs. 8-13

And a lot can be said on that, but what I want us to focus on is the balance & harmony between the Physical & the Spiritual.

Here Moses's raised hands symbolizes reliance on God and the power of prayer.

While Joshua and the men who fought in the battle Physically, represents taking practical action.

So we see here that both aspects are essential for victory. In...

Exodus 17:11 NKJV

11 And so it was, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed; and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed.

Exodus 17:13 NKJV

13 So Joshua defeated Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword.

So what was the advantage that the Israelites had? It was the spiritual aspect of the fight.

The Amalekites were a fierce tribe of warriors with no real God - The Israelites were a vulnerable group of freed slaves. But they had the True God...

In Luke 10:38-42 we find the story of Mary and Martha.

Mary chose to sit at Jesus' feet, listening to His teachings and focusing on her spiritual relationship with Him.

Her sister Martha on the other hand busied herself with practical matters, preparing a meal and tending to the needs of their guests.

Martha's practical efforts are admirable, but Jesus gently reminded her in...

Luke 10:41–42 NKJV

41 And Jesus answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. 42 But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her.”

suggesting that it is essential not to neglect our spiritual nourishment in favor of physical or practical concerns.

Now, in contrast, we see the example of the believers in Corinth who placed a high emphasis on spirituality and spiritual gifts (1 Corinthians 12-14).

They were so enamored with the manifestations of the Spiritual realm that they lost sight of the importance of the practical implementation of love and unity within the community.

The Apostle Paul had to remind them that love should be the driving force for their actions and that spiritual gifts should be used in a balanced manner.

Serving both the spiritual and the practical needs of the church.

APPLICATION: So I think it is important for us to find that balance between the spiritual and the physical in our Christian lives.

Because sometimes, some of us only emphasize the spiritual while others only focus on the physical.

When we recognizing the need for both the spiritual and the physical, we can allow the Lord to do His work in and through us.

While also meeting the practical needs and responsibilities He has given us in this life.

Philippians 2:13 NKJV

13 for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.

Philippians 2:12 NKJV

12 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling;

3.  The Testimony to the Lord Vs. 14-16

3.1 God Will Destroy the Flesh Vs. 14

Scripture tells us that the Amalekites eventually dwindle down and possibly were assimilated into other people groups or they simply faded from historical records over time.

APPLICATION: Eventually, God will deliver us from the flesh, this body of death.

Romans 7:15–21 NKJV

15 For what I am doing, I do not understand. For what I will to do, that I do not practice; but what I hate, that I do. 16 If, then, I do what I will not to do, I agree with the law that it is good. 17 But now, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me. 18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells; for to will is present with me, but how to perform what is good I do not find. 19 For the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do, that I practice. 20 Now if I do what I will not to do, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me. 21 I find then a law, that evil is present with me, the one who wills to do good.

Romans 7:24–25 NKJV

24 O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? 25 I thank God—through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, with the mind I myself serve the law of God, but with the flesh the law of sin.

3.  The Testimony to the Lord Vs. 14-16

3.2 The Lord is my Banner Vs. 15-16

After the victory, Moses built an altar and named it "Jehovah Nissi," or "the Lord is my banner."

The banner was likely a physical flag or standard that would have been raised during battle to signify the presence and protection of God.

By naming the altar "Jehovah Nissi," Moses was acknowledging that it was God who had given them victory in battle and who would continue to protect and lead them.

In the ancient Near East, banners were often used as symbols of identity and unity for armies and nations.

By calling God "Jehovah Nissi," Moses was identifying the Lord as the ultimate source of identity and unity for the Israelites.

Overall, the name "Jehovah Nissi" speaks to God's role as a protector and provider for his people, both in battle and in our daily lives.

ILLUSTRATION: Imagine that you're standing in the middle of a crowded street in a big city.

People are rushing past you, going about their business, and it's hard to feel like you stand out or have any sense of identity.

But then, you notice someone carrying a banner high above the crowd. The banner is bright and colorful, with a clear symbol that catches your eye.

Suddenly, you feel drawn to that person, like you have something in common with them.

You might not know anything about them, but you feel a sense of connection because you both identify with that same banner.

APPLICATION: In the same way, our identity as Christians is not just a matter of personal preference or individual expression.

But it’s something that we share with others who also identify with Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.

When we raise the banner of our faith, it's like a beacon that draws others to us and helps us to find community with fellow believers.

And just like in the battle against the Amalekites, our banner of faith is a symbol of God's protection and provision for us.

But sometimes, we can get caught up in the busy-ness of life and forget about our identity as Christians.

We can start to blend in with the crowd and lose sight of our purpose.

That's when we need to be reminded of who we are and what we stand for.

And when we raise our banner high, we can inspire others to do the same, and together we can stand out as a beacon of hope and love in a crowded world.

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