Why There Is Reproof

Exodus 17:1-7

Theme: Conquer    

Key verse: v.6

16 verses; 466 words

Grade level: 5.6

Outline:

I. The Rock struck open by Moses. vs.1–7

II. The Foe struck down by Moses. vs.8–16

Here is what kept popping up early in the journey:

I. The Recurring Problem. vs.1-3

The thirst. v.1

1 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.

The temptation. vs.2-3

2 Wherefore the people did chide with Moses, and said, Give us water that we may drink. And Moses said unto them, Why chide ye with me? wherefore do ye tempt the LORD?

3 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?

II. The Recurring Prayer.

It was one of tears. v.4

4 And Moses cried unto the LORD, saying, What shall I do unto this people? they be almost ready to stone me.

It was one of testing. vs.5-6a

5 And the LORD said unto Moses, Go on before the people, and take with thee of the elders of Israel; and thy rod, wherewith thou smotest the river, take in thine hand, and go.

6 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.

III. The Recurring Product. v.6b

God used a man. v.6b

And Moses did so in the sight of the elders of Israel.

“How many times does God have to use a man Scripturally before we learn to follow him as he follows Christ?” 8/26/25

God tested a people. v.7

7 And he called the name of the place Massah, and Meribah, because of the chiding of the children of Israel, and because they tempted the LORD, saying, Is the LORD among us, or not?

Conclusion:

Massah - temptation

Meribah - strife