January 26th, 2012
Today’s reading from Encounter with God

Our Testiness, God’s Test

Please see the links to our EXTRA Bible Study notes at the bottom of the page.

Opening Prayer

Lord, having Your love and grace in my life reminds me just how rich I am! I ask for nothing more.

Read Exodus 17:1-16

[1] The whole Israelite community set out from the Desert of Sin, traveling from place to place as the LORD commanded. They camped at Rephidim, but there was no water for the people to drink. [2] So they quarreled with Moses and said, “Give us water to drink.” Moses replied, “Why do you quarrel with me? Why do you put the LORD to the test?” [3] But the people were thirsty for water there, and they grumbled against Moses. They said, “Why did you bring us up out of Egypt to make us and our children and livestock die of thirst?” [4] Then Moses cried out to the LORD, “What am I to do with these people? They are almost ready to stone me.” [5] The LORD answered Moses, “Walk on ahead of the people. Take with you some of the elders of Israel and take in your hand the staff with which you struck the Nile, and go. [6] I will stand there before you by the rock at Horeb. Strike the rock, and water will come out of it for the people to drink.” So Moses did this in the sight of the elders of Israel. [7] And he called the place Massah and Meribah because the Israelites quarreled and because they tested the LORD saying, “Is the LORD among us or not?” [8] The Amalekites came and attacked the Israelites at Rephidim. [9] Moses said to Joshua, “Choose some of our men and go out to fight the Amalekites. Tomorrow I will stand on top of the hill with the staff of God in my hands.” [10] So Joshua fought the Amalekites as Moses had ordered, and Moses, Aaron and Hur went to the top of the hill. [11] As long as Moses held up his hands, the Israelites were winning, but whenever he lowered his hands, the Amalekites were winning. [12] When Moses’ hands grew tired, they took a stone and put it under him and he sat on it. Aaron and Hur held his hands up-one on one side, one on the other-so that his hands remained steady till sunset. [13] So Joshua overcame the Amalekite army with the sword. [14] Then the LORD said to Moses, “Write this on a scroll as something to be remembered and make sure that Joshua hears it, because I will completely blot out the memory of Amalek from under heaven.” [15] Moses built an altar and called it The LORD is my Banner. [16] He said, “For hands were lifted up to the throne of the LORD. The LORD will be at war against the Amalekites from generation to generation.”

Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. All rights reserved throughout the world. Used by permission of International Bible Society.

Meditate

Use Psalm 95 as an opportunity for praise and reflection. What challenges to our faith are there for us today?

Think Further

The two tests are related. The hostile Amalekites were in control of the region of Rephidim, and denied the Israelites access to sources of water. The Israelites test Moses’ patience and God’s faithfulness by their complaint. The Hebrew words for trial and quarrel are “Massah” and “Meribah,” so the place becomes a permanent reminder of Israel’s bad attitude, lack of faith, mistrust of its leader, and doubt in God’s power and presence. How often do we test God’s patience by relying on our own strength and understanding, doubting his work in our lives and in the world, and living as if he was not there!

The Massah-Meribah incident has a deeper meaning. God tests his children, by leading them through such trials. Suffering in Scripture is sometimes punishment for sin. But it also is used to teach God’s people discipline, faith, endurance and a new perspective. There may be no explanation for suffering, but it is an experience that shapes us, makes us purer, more able to help others, and points us to redemption through Christ. Only in the light of his resurrection does the meaning of suffering become clear.

Does this mean we should accept all hardship without question? Far from it! When we see injustice and oppression, or natural disasters, our hearts should be moved by God’s compassion. We should be urgent in our response and, where necessary, challenge unjust structures of power. But our attitude should be to bring it directly to God rather than complain against God. Bitterness, anger and cynicism are the weapons of the evil one to distract us from the love, knowledge and service of the one who is faithful, even when we are not.

Apply

List the attitudes you feel when you or other people suffer. Are they proper? What response would you give to someone who blames God when things go wrong?

Closing prayer

Father, I know that seething anger, rage and hatred can destroy me. Deliver me from those even when times are bad.

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