Exodus 17:1-7

Study #3: God is patient, even when we complain
Date: Sunday, September 20, 2009
Bible Study: God Provides Water, Exodus 17:1-7

Whiners ?? (temperature of room, crazy family, no money, no time, boring Sunday School)
Is complaining a large part of our daily lives ??
What role & purpose does complaining have for us ??
What will happen to our faith when we complain ??
(weaken, doubts, take our own matters)

Background : Water in the Dry Desert?
Egypt, where they came from as slaves … was well irrigated for agriculture
the land of Sinai and Canaan, where they were and were going to …
much drier and depended on seasonal rains for water
the season for rain was very short and the dry season was very long
the people who lived in these areas had to employ several means to gather water
 Wells
Cisterns
underground reservoirs
Springs
When Moses brought the people to Rephidim, no such water sources were available.

Chapter 17  (1491 B.C.)
The watering of the host of Israel.
·    In the wilderness they wanted water and they “cried” to Moses (vv. 1-3)
They journeyed according to the commandment of the Lord, led by the pillar of cloud and fire (Jesus), and yet they came to a place where there was no water for them to drink.
They were passionate, violent, impatient . . . They got “free” bread, so they now demand “free” water 
If you were in the shoes of the Israelites, how would you have reacted?
Where in life, right now, are you a complainer?
How do you think God could help you move from complaining and into a better attitude?
to those that by faith and prayer live a life of dependence upon God, one favor can be expected after another, and may be humbly asked for;
but the unthankful and unbelieving should not expect further favors: Let not them think that they shall receive any thing (James 1:7)
yet they are ready to demand every thing.
So .. We may follow Jesus and obey God as best we can and still have troubles ???
God brings trials of our Faith into our lives … and then he can be glorified in our sight through our relief
Moses -- many that have designed well and done well have had their best services misconstrued by unthinking unthankful people … ready to stone him.
·    Moses cried to God (v. 4)
Moses deals with them meekly
By not trusting in God’s power you try His patience and provoke His wrath
Moses made his complaint to the Lord
When men quarrel with us and complain to us or about us, it is a great relief for us, as Christians, to be able to go to God and by prayer, lay our problems at His feet and let Him care for us
·    God ordered him to smite the rock, and fetch water out of that and Moses did so (vv. 5-6)
God is gracious, patient . . . Never will He fail those who trust Him when he so generously helps those who don’t ?!!?
He gave honor to Moses
That Rock was Christ . . . ??
·    The place named from it (v. 7)
Preserving the remembrance of the sin of their murmuring and how they tempted God … and strife .. Because they chided Moses . . The remembrance of sin . . Disgraceful for the sinners themselves .. It leaves a blot on their name warning their ancestors to watch out for their sinning