FROM PLACE TO PLACE: Dophkah, Alush (Num
33:12,13).
Exo 17:2
13 murmurings: Exo 5:21; 14:10; 15:24; 16:2; 17:2; 32:1; Num
11:1,4; 12:2; 14:2; 16:3; 20:2; 21:5. Cp Joh 6:41-43. Those who murmur without
cause are soon given cause to murmur.
Exo 17:6
THE ROCK: Rock: firm, steadfast, dependable, lasting,
protective. "That rock was Christ" (1Co 10:4). Cp rock with Christ: (1) Neither
have outward evidence of riches contained (Isa 53:2); (2) Both smitten (cp Mar
15); (3) Both yielded heavenly nourishment (Joh 4:13; 7:39; 14:7); (4) Both
yielded permanent supply (Mat 28:19,20). Cp Joh 19:34: Water out of Christ's
side.
Exo 17:7
MASSAH: "Test" or "tempt" (ie "put to the proof": RSV).
"Do not tempt God" (Mat 4:7; Deu 6:16).
MERIBAH: "Chide": scorn or insult; cp reviling of
Christ: 1Pe 2:23. Sig esp "seize by hair".
Amalek cut off the stragglers: Deu 25:17,18. We must follow
God closely.
Exo 17:9
Moses ascended and descended Mount Sinai approx 13 times: Exo
17:9; 19:3-7; 19:8,9; 19:9-14; 19:20-25; 19:24; 20:21--24:3; 24:9-11;
24:15--32:15; 32:31-34; 34:4-29; Lev 25:1--26:46; 27:1-34.
Exo 17:10
Victory by 2 means: prayer and faithful action.
Exo 17:11
HELD UP HIS HANDS: "May my prayer be set before you
like incense; may the lifting up of my hands be like the evening sacrifice" (Psa
141:2). Moses held up the rod (v 9).
Exo 17:12
MOSES' HANDS GREW TIRED: Moses could not bear the
burden, but Christ's hands "lifted up as an ensign" are unfailing.
SO THAT HIS HANDS REMAINED STEADY TILL SUNSET: "It is
far easier to fight with sin in public, than to pray against it in private. It
is remarked that Joshua never grew weary in the fighting, but Moses did grow
weary in the praying; the more spiritual an exercise, the more difficult it is
for flesh and blood to maintain it. Let us cry, then, for special strength, and
may the Spirit of God, who helpeth our infirmities, as He allowed help to Moses,
enable us like him to continue with our hands steady 'until the going down of
the sun'; till the evening of life is over; till we shall come to the rising of
a better sun in the land where prayer is swallowed up in praise"
(CHS).
Exo 17:13
OVERCAME: "Discomfited" (AV); "mowed down" (RSV).
"Chalash" = to prostrate, to lay low.
Exo 17:14
WRITE THIS ON A SCROLL: "In THE scroll" -- to be kept
as a typical lesson to all generations.
UNDER HEAVEN: A phrase suggesting the universality of
Yahweh's judgement: Gen 6:17; Exo 17:14; Deu 7:24; 9:14; 25:19; 29:20; 2Ki
14:27. The two NT references (Acts 4:12; Col 1:23) expand the theme to show that
the Father is indeed concerned with salvation for all mankind.
Exo 17:15
THE LORD IS MY BANNER: "Jehovah-nissi" (AV). "He who
will be an ensign" = Christ lifted up: Joh 3:14,15; Isa 11:10; Num
21:1-9.
Exo 17:16
THE LORD WILL BE AT WAR: God would fight their battles
for them, if they were righteous.