IIT UBF - University Bible Fellowship at IIT

Daily Bread

Water from the Rock

Date: Mar. 9, 2021

Passage

Exodus 17:1-7

Water from the Rock

17:1 All the congregation of the people of Israel moved on from the wilderness of Sin by stages, according to the commandment of the LORD, and camped at Rephidim, but there was no water for the people to drink. 2 Therefore the people quarreled with Moses and said, “Give us water to drink.” And Moses said to them, “Why do you quarrel with me? Why do you test the LORD?” 3 But the people thirsted there for water, and the people grumbled against Moses and said, “Why did you bring us up out of Egypt, to kill us and our children and our livestock with thirst?” 4 So Moses cried to the LORD, “What shall I do with this people? They are almost ready to stone me.” 5 And the LORD said to Moses, “Pass on before the people, taking with you some of the elders of Israel, and take in your hand the staff with which you struck the Nile, and go. 6 Behold, I will stand before you there on the rock at Horeb, and you shall strike the rock, and water shall come out of it, and the people will drink.” And Moses did so, in the sight of the elders of Israel. 7 And he called the name of the place Massah and Meribah, because of the quarreling of the people of Israel, and because they tested the LORD by saying, “Is the LORD among us or not?”

Daily Bread

Key Verse: Exodus 17:6

Behold, I will stand before you there on the rock at Horeb, and you shall strike the rock, and water shall come out of it, and the people will drink.” And Moses did so, in the sight of the elders of Israel.

1. The people quarrel and grumble from thirst (1-4)

The LORD led the Israelites from the Desert of Sin to Rephidim where they camped. Unfortunately, there was no water. The people demanded water. They bitterly complained that they would die of thirst. Following God to Rephidim seemed to make life worse, not better. In fact, God did this to help them to know and trust him better. Would they remember how God had delivered and provided and then turn to him in faith? They did not and by grumbling, they put the LORD to the test.

2. The rock points to Christ (5-7)

God told Moses to take his staff and in the presence of the elders, strike the rock at Horeb. When Moses did so, water came forth for the people to drink. The rock points to Jesus Christ (1 Co 10:4). When mankind suffered in sin, God provided Jesus who was struck for us. Anyone who is thirsty is invited to drink from Jesus (Jn 7:37). All who drink the water Jesus gives will never thirst again (Jn 4:14).

Prayer: Father, when circumstances are overwhelming, please help me to trust you in faith and know Jesus better. Forgive my unbelief.

One Word: Turn to Jesus our Rock

Daily Bread

God is Our Deliverer

Psalm 78:40-72

Key Verse: 78:65

Then the Lord awoke as from sleep,
like a strong man shouting because of wine.

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