Mar 19 – 3 Lent
Exodus 17:1-7
Water from the Rock

Background: The book of Exodus has two distinct settings each with a distinct portion of Israel’s story. The first 12 chapters detail Israel’s slavery in and deliverance from Egypt. Chapters 19-40 detail the establishment of the cultic practice and Israel’s wandering in the desert. This passage is set in the time between Israel crossing out of Egypt and before their arrival at Sinai.

Theme: This passage is the second of a series of God’s providential relationship with Israel. Previously God has satisfied the Israelite’s need for food by providing manna and quail. Now God will provide the truly precious commodity to the Israelites – water. This story helps paint a picture of Israel that shows their humanity, their vocal pleas for what they need, and their equally human failing, the inability to remember the past.

Questions to Ponder:
* Please read Exodus 17:1-7.
* Briefly describe the setting of this passage. What has happened leading up to this passage? Where does this passage take place?
* Locate the following places: the wilderness of Sin; Rephidim; Massah; Meribah; and Horeb.
* A more likely translation or source for the Wilderness of Sin can be tied to a Semitic moon-deity. Since the Wilderness of Sin is not specifically located, of what significance might the connection of this wilderness be to a foreign God be?
* When the Israelites grumble at Moses and demand water why might Moses construe their grumbling as a test of God?
* Do you think the Israelites’ grumbling was warranted given their situation?
* What do you find as typical in Israel’s interaction with Moses and God?
* What do you think the point of this passage is? What might the meanings of the text be as presented?
* Some argue the passage really is about God providing water in the wilderness. Do you think (1) this is the point and (2) this passage adequately supports that point?
* Scholars tie this passage to the question of theodicy (asking where God is in the midst of suffering). How well do you think this passage speaks to the problem of theodicy? How might this passage enlighten our understanding of theodicy?
* Ironically, in both this passage and the preceding one where God provides manna and quail, part of the message might be: God provides for his people right where they are without making them be someplace else; and God’s goal is not simply survival but super-abundance. What do you think about this supposition? Do you find this story one of God’s presence in the here-and-now?
* In the two stories of manna and quail and water from the rock what is most surprising about God’s response?
* Looking at this passage as a story of liberation – how might this passage tell a story of human liberation in the midst of strife?
* What’s the story of good news for the Israelites and for us today?
* What are some applications and actions this passage spurs us to accomplish?