Today, we’re studying Exodus Chapter 17. Reflecting on this passage, Paul wrote to the Corinthian church and connected the Exodus events to those of Jesus’ life.
I do not want you to be ignorant, brothers and sisters, that our ancestors were all under the cloud, and all passed through the sea,
And all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea, and all ate the same spiritual food,
And all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank from the spiritual rock that followed them, and the rock was Christ (1 Corinthians 10.1-4).
In today’s YouTube video, Rudy Ross refers to this passage from Corinthians. He highlights two main points about it.
First, the speaker in Exodus talking to Moses is what we understand as Jesus before his birth – the second person of the Trinity.
Second, he reminds us that Christ is the rock mentioned in the text.
Complaining and Prayer
The Israelites wandered in the wilderness and soon ran out of water. Think about how tough it would be to find water for two million people! Naturally, when folks are thirsty or hungry, they complain.
And that’s just what happened here.
The people thirsted there for water, and the people complained against Moses and said, “Why did you bring us out of Egypt, to kill us and our children and livestock with thirst?” (Exodus 17.3).
Moses is often seen as an ideal example of prayer. He turns to God whenever he encounters difficulties.
So Moses cried out to the Lord, “What shall I do for this people? They are almost ready to stone me” (Exodus 17.4).
Jesus shared many thoughts on prayer. Here is a key promise from Jesus about prayer.
“Ask, and it will be given to you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened for you.
“For everyone who asks receives, and everyone who searches finds, and for everyone who knocks, the door will be opened” (Matthew 7.7-8).
Moses shows us how to handle life’s troubles. When problems arise, we should ask, seek, and knock with faith that God will guide us. This means continually asking, seeking, and knocking even if answers don’t come right away.
Sometimes we need to be patient. Notice Jesus’ logic concerning prayer as he told this short parable.
“Is there anyone among you who, if your child asked for bread, would give a stone?
“Or if the child asked for a fish, would give a snake?
“If you, then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good things to those who ask him!” (Matthew 7.9-11).
The Israelites felt that God didn’t care for them. They believed their escape from slavery, only to perish in the wilderness, proved His indifference.
When our troubles cause us to doubt God’s love, we should recall Jesus’ words. He reminds us that our Heavenly Father truly cares for his children.
God’s Directions
After praying, we should patiently wait for God’s guidance. I believe that until we’ve received his message, we don’t truly know our next steps.
God loves us and has a personal bond with us. Just like any devoted father, he will provide us with the right direction in life.
This is how God worked with Moses and the Hebrew people.
“Go on ahead of the people and take some of the elders of Israel with you; take in your hand the staff with which you struck the Nile and go.
“I will be standing there in front of you on the rock at Horeb. Strike the rock, and water will come out of it, so that the people may drink” (Exodus 17.5-6).
The Israelites were given water, but more importantly, Moses heard Jesus’ voice. The rock struck was actually Jesus Christ himself.
My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness
I dare not trust the sweetest frame
But wholly lean on Jesus’ name
On Christ the solid rock I stand
All other ground is sinking sand
All other ground is sinking sand
YouTube Video
Rudy Ross, Whispering Danny, and I discuss this passage on the Bob Spradling YouTube channel.
Real Voices 