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1 Directed by God, the whole company of Israel moved on by stages from the Wilderness of Sin. They set camp at Rephidim. And there wasn't a drop of water for the people to drink. 2 The people took Moses to task: "Give us water to drink." But Moses said, "Why pester me? Why are you testing God?" 3 But the people were thirsty for water there. They complained to Moses, "Why did you take us from Egypt and drag us out here with our children and animals to die of thirst?" 4 Moses cried out in prayer to God, "What can I do with these people? Any minute now they'll kill me!" 5 God said to Moses, "Go on out ahead of the people, taking with you some of the elders of Israel. Take the staff you used to strike the Nile. And go. 6 I'm going to be present before you there on the rock at Horeb. You are to strike the rock. Water will gush out of it and the people will drink." 7 He named the place Massah (Testing-Place) and Meribah (Quarreling) because of the quarreling of the Israelites and because of their testing of God when they said, "Is God here with us, or not?" (Exodus 17:1-7 The Message Bible)
Moses was the senior pastor of the world's largest traveling church. Forget circuit riders, Moses drove a large mini-van filled with a typical congregation. Twenty percent of the passengers loved Moses and his driving; eighty percent was mostly nuetral, and twenty percent disliked Moses a lot. This was also the most vocal of the unruly passengers that to be honest, sounded like kids who saw the McDonald's and Moses did not so much as step even lightly on the brakes! He sped past it! Suzie needed a rest stop, and Mikey was thirsty. And on they sped. Chrissy began to complain that Suzie smelled and that Mikey was passing gas loudly. Soon all the passengers were complaining that they were thirsty and Moses finally said, "Don't make me come back there!" And he realized that there were no convenience stores anywhere near and so he stopped. Like a good parent, Moses prayed and said, "What can I do with these kids? I mean, these members of this traveling church?" He also realized the extent of their anger, "Any minute now they'll kill me!" God said, "There, there, Moses...Stop the van. Take the oldest kids and take the staff you used to strike the Nile, and there at the rock of Horeb you will strike the rock and water will gush out of it and the people will drink."
Moses named that place, "Thank God!" and "Man do these kids quarrel!" Okay, close enough. Massah means "Testing Place" and Meribah means "Quarreling."
Water is important in Scripture. It is a source and force of life. In Monday's lesson, it was water that led Jesus to an encounter with a woman with a deep need. Jesus met that need and helped her and her village come to faith. Paul's lesson yesterday spoke of that reconciliation that is needed and that it comes through faith at no cost. And today's passage takes us back to another thirst; this one, like Jesus', for physical water. And it comes even at a point where the people in need are quarreling with God and Moses. Yet God still provides and cares for them. Not even our stubbornness and rebellion can separate us from God's love and care. Yes, God loves us that much.
PRAYER: Thank You, Heavenly Father for Your unending and generous love. We ask You quench our thirst for You and guide us to where we can best serve You and Yours; in Christ Jesus we pray, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! YOUR CALL TO ACTION: Help guide someone to where they can find Jesus' living water.
Receive my blessings of joy and peace,
Pastor Eradio Valverde, Jr.
