Bible Commentaries

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.

After their journeys, — i.e., After they had first been at Dophkah, and at Alush. Numbers 33:12-14

There was no water. — Bread they had from heaven, but wanted water. Our condition here is a condition of singular indigency: we are ever wanting somewhat or other.

return to '

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?

The people did chide with Moses. — As they did before for bread. And as thirst is the more eager appetite, so they are more eager and earnest for water than they were for bread.

Wherefore do ye tempt the Lord? — viz., Whether he be amongst you and be able by miracle to relieve you.

return to '

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?

Murmured against Moses. — Magistrates have many times a weary life with the mutinous multitude. Seneca observeth of Egypt, - it proved true of this people newly come out of Egypt, - that it was loquax et ingeniosa in contumeliam praefectorum provincia: in qua, qui vitaverit culpam, non effugit infamiam; That it was a province apt to prate against their governors, and to cast a slur upon them, though never so well deserving.

return to '

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

Ready to stone me. — Well might he ask with our Saviour, "For which of my good works do ye stone me?" John 10:32 But the belly hath no ears.

return to '

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.

Take with thee of the elders. — As witnesses of this great work of God; which the people for their unbelief might not behold. God puts up with their rebellion, and satisfies their thirst: but yet intimates his just displeasure, by denying them this privilege of seeing the rock smitten.

return to '

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

Upon the rock. — If God had not stood upon the rock, in vain had Moses struck it. Means must be used, but God only depended upon for success. It is he alone that sets the rock abroaeh.

Thou shalt smite the rock. — Herein a type of Christ "stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted." Isaiah 53:4 1 Corinthians 10:4

And there shall come water out of it. — Not fire - that had not been so miraculous - but water. This "cleaving the" hard "rock," Psalms 78:15 this "turning of the flint into a fountain," Psalms 114:8 was a work of Onmipoteney, and is therefore much celebrated. Deuteronomy 8:15 Psalms 105:41 Nehemiah 9:15 Dioseorides tells us of the stone Galactites, quod succum emittat lacteum, that it yields a kind of moisture like milk: which, if it "be true, is very strange.

That the people may drink. — And so be cooled and comforted in their weariness and wanderings. "Ho, every one that thirsteth," … Isaiah 55:1

return to '

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?

Is the Lord among us? — As if that could not be, and they athirst. But he is most present when he afflicts. "He knows our souls in adversity." Psalms 31:7

return to '

Then came Amalek, and fought with Israel in Rephidim.

Then came Amalek. — Not having the fear of God before his eyes, Deuteronomy 25:18 but carried on by the ancient enmity: for Amalek was Esau’s grandchild.

return to '