Exodus 17:3

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Exodus 17:1-7

Here is, I. The strait that the children of Israel were in for want of water; once before the were in the like distress, and now, a second time, Exod. 17:1. They journeyed according to the commandment of the Lord, led by the pillar of cloud and fire, and yet they came to a place where there was no water for them to drink. Note, We may be in the way of our duty, and yet may meet with troubles, which Providence brings us into for the trial of our faith, and that God may be glorified in our... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Exodus 17:3

And the people thirsted there for water ,.... They saw there was no water when they first came thither, and therefore chid Moses for bringing them to such a place, where they could not subsist; and having stayed some little time here, and all the water they brought with them from Alush being spent, and having none to drink, began to be very thirsty: and the people murmured against Moses ; became more impatient and enraged, and threw out their invectives against him with much acrimony and... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 17:3

And the people murmured - The reader must not forget what has so often been noted relating to the degraded state of the minds of the Israelites. A strong argument however may be drawn from this in favor of their supernatural escape from Egypt. Had it been a scheme concerted by the heads of the people, provision would necessarily have been made for such exigencies as these. But as God chose to keep them constantly dependent upon himself for every necessary of life, and as they had Moses alone... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 17:1-7

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 17:1-7

Water out of the rock. "They did all drink the same spiritual drink; for they drank of that spiritual rock that followed them, and that rock was Christ" ( 1 Corinthians 10:4 ). When man is at his last gasp, perishing for lack of what he sorely needs, then God lavishes his mercies. All previous trials were as nothing compared with that which befel Israel at Rephidim. Lips parched, throats dry, bodies fevered with heat, hearts expectant and buoyed up with hope till the close of the day,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 17:1-7

The water from the rock. The Israelites pursued their journey to the mount of God. It was— 1 . By stages—"after their journeys." It is well to discipline the mind to look at life as a succession of stages. "Most people can bear one day's evil; the thing that breaks one down is the trying to bear on one day the evil of two days, twenty days, a hundred days." 2 . According to God's commandment—following still the guiding cloud. 3 . It brought them in due course to Rephidim, the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 17:1-7

Christ our Spring. "They drank of that spiritual rock," etc. ( 1 Corinthians 10:4 ). Introduction may deal with the following important items, as all leading up to the theme of the homily—the journey from Sin to Rephidim ( Numbers 33:12-14 ), the incidents connected with furnishing water out of the rock—the fact that the water may have followed Israel for at least a few stations—and on that fact (not on the [Rabbinical legend) found the New Testament application of the Apostle... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 17:1-7

The giving of water in Rephidim. I. OBSERVE HOW THE PEOPLE CAME TO REPHIDIM . There is a distinct intimation that it was according to the commandment of Jehovah. He it was who led them where there was no water to drink, and equally he must have given them the intimation to pitch their tents. And we who read the narrative are not at all discomposed on learning that there was no water in this place of encampment. We remember how God has already shown that his ways are not as... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 17:1-7

Trial and failure. I. THE PURPOSE OF RECURRING TRIALS . Israel, tried before at Marah, is now led from the comforts of Elim to the thirsty land of Rephidim. They might have learned something of their own heart and of God's unfailing goodness, and now they are led hither that he may prove whether they will serve him or no. Trial comes that the teachings of truth may be changed into the convictions of trust. II. ISRAEL 'S CRIME . 1 . It was not unbelief, but impious... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 17:3

The people thirsted there for water. There is probably no physical affliction comparable to intense thirst. His thirst was the only agony which drew from the Son of Man an acknowledgment of physical suffering, in the words " I thirst." Descriptions of thirst in open boats at sea are among the most painful of the records of afflicted humanity. Thirst in the desert can scarcely be less horrible. The people murmured and said When the worst comes on men, if they are alone, they bear it... read more

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