EXODUS –LESSON 28
LEARN: 2 Corinthians 5:5-8
Now he that hath wrought us for the selfsame thing is God, who also hath given unto us the earnest of the Spirit.
6 Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord:
7 (For we walk by faith, not by sight:)
8 We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.
READ: Exodus 17:1-7
1. What determined where and when the children of Israel traveled? v 1
2. As the Israelites traveled from Sin to Rephidim, what stops were made that are not mentioned in the Exodus passage? Numbers 33:11-14
3. How did the LORD make his command of: move on, or camp in this place, visible the nation? Numbers 9:16-23
4. The LORD commanded the nation to make camp at Rephidim. What test was put before the people there? v 1
5. What was the response of the people to the test? vv 2a, 3, 4b
6. What is the meaning of the word “chide?”
7. According to Moses, what was the nation was guilty of? v 2c
8. What is meant by the phrase “to tempt the LORD?”
9. What did the people say that was evidence of their “tempting” of the LORD?
NOTE: All previous trials were as nothing compared that which befell Israel at Rephidim. Lips parched, throats dry, bodies fevered with heat, hearts expectant and buoyed up with hope till the close of the day, then suddenly despairing—they lay on the arid soil around the ill-named “resting-places,” maddened, furious, desperate. Without water, they must perish in the course of a few hours—what wonder that they are stirred to fury against their leader. Men in such straits are often not masters of themselves. PULPIT COMMENTARY The Book of Exodus p61
10. What benefit to our own personal lives can be gained from studying Moses’ response to this situation, as seen in verse 4,as well as to every occurrence of difficulty which he encountered throughout the travels in the wilderness?
11. Find several Scripture verses which encourage and command this response which Moses example shows.
12. Give examples of other saints in the Scripture who also illustrated this reliance on God.
13. What is the benefit to our personal relationship with God in following Moses’ example? Give Scripture to justify your answer.
14. List four specific commands that the LORD gave to Moses that he needed to follow in order to obtain water for the people. vv 5, 6
15. What are to 2 parts of the LORD’S promise to Moses for his obedience? v 6
16. What did God’s response to these angry, violent people show about his character?
17. Who witnessed this miracle? Who did not see this miracle performed? v 6
NOTE: The ROCK in Horeb (located not far distant from Rephidim) must have been a remarkable object, already known to Moses during the time that he dwelt in the Sinai-Horeb region.
18. What had Moses witnessed previously at this location? Exodus 3:1-6
19. List as many other Scripture passages that recount this occurrence as you can.
20. How much water poured forth out of the “rock” when Moses struck it with his rod as the LORD commanded? vv 3, 6
21. What do we learn about the people’s need for water, during the many years of their wandering in the wilderness, that followed this occasion? I Corinthians 10:4
22. In the I Corinthians 10:4 passage the water is called “spiritual” drink, Jesus himself being the source. Jesus often calls himself the “Living Water.” How can a person obtain this “Living Water” today? John 4:10-15; John 7:38
23. The LORD met the physical need of the people for water to sustain their bodies, but he used this life giving water to illustrate their spiritual need for “Living Water.” He wanted them to understand their even greater spiritual need and that he desires to meet it as well. What is the benefit of getting the “Living Water?”
John 4:14; John 7:38
24. What need of every person’s heart does the “living Water” of Jesus meet?
Psalm 107:8-14; 36:5-9
25. Why was the place where the children of Israel were provided water out of the rock called Masseh and Meribah (argument or strife)? v 7