Lesson 243: Rephidim - Water From The Rock

Ex. 17

Full Lesson HERE

INTRODUCTION. The children of Israel continued their journey through the wilderness of Sin to Rephidim. Again there was no water for the people to drink, and they complained to Moses. Moses turned to the Lord who told him to take his rod and strike a rock. When Moses obeyed, water came out of the rock for the people to drink.

Then the Israelites faced their first enemy since the destruction of Pharaoh's army in the Red Sea. They were attacked by the Amalekites, descendants of Amalek, a grandson of Esau (Gen. 36:12). Moses appointed Joshua to organize and command an army to fight the Amalekites.

Moses went to the top of a hill to observe the battle accompanied by Aaron and Hur. As long as Moses held his hands up, Israel prevailed in the battle, but when Moses became tired and let his hands down, Amalek prevailed. Therefore Moses sat on a stone, and Aaron and Hur supported his hands, one on either side of him, until the sun set. Joshua and the Israelites then defeated the Amalekites.