Exodus 17:1-7
The last in this four day lectionary focus on Exodus, brings us to one final complaint on the part of the people. They had no water to drink,certainly a difficult circumstance for so large a gathering of people. It seems, however, that they had forgotten once more the provision of God. Yet again, they pressure Moses with a nostalgic longing for captivity in Egypt. Moses seems a bit overwhelmed by the cries of the people as he says to the Lord, “What shall I do with this people? They are almost ready to stone me." Perhaps Moses also had forgotten the provision of God.
We are often impatient with biblical characters whose short-term memory seems to fail them when confronted by life's challenges. "They had seen such wonders," we think to ourselves. From these rebellious wanderers to the twelve who followed Jesus more closely than any others, we shake our heads and point our fingers. I wonder, though, do we trust the provision of God any more now, even though we have the record of God's word and the assurance of God's living Word at work among us?
Moses called this place where God brought water from the rock to sate the people's thirst,Meribah and Massah, for there the people tested God...still. Their question which closes this text may sound familiar to you..."Is the Lord among us or not?” You and I would do well to study our desert ancestors from time to time, realizing that their questions are at times, our questions, yet God is faithful...still.
Prayer: When we forget your provision, O God, remind us of your faithfulness to all generations. Amen.
Jim Abernathy
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