New International Reader s Version - NIrV - 1996
Exodus 17
1
The whole community of Israel started out from the Desert of Sin. They traveled from place to place, just as the Lord commanded. They camped at Rephidim. But there wasn't any water for the people to drink.
Reference
📍 Rephidim
2
So they argued with Moses. They said, "Give us water to drink." Moses replied, "Why are you arguing with me? Why are you putting the Lord to the test?"
Reference
Parallel theme
Psalm 78:41
Psalm 78:18
1 Corinthians 10:9
Hebrews 3:9
Psalm 95:9
Acts 15:10
References Lord
Deuteronomy 6:16
Isaiah 7:12
Matthew 4:7
References Moses
Numbers 21:5
3
But the people were thirsty for water there. So they told Moses they weren't happy with him. They said, "Why did you bring us up out of Egypt? Did you want us, our children and our livestock to die of thirst?"
Reference
References Moses
Exodus 15:24
4
Then Moses cried out to the Lord. He said, "What am I going to do with these people? They are almost ready to kill me by throwing stones at me."
Reference
5
The Lord answered Moses. He said, "Walk on ahead of the people. Take some of the elders of Israel along with you. Take in your hand the wooden staff you used when you struck the Nile River. Go.
6
I will stand there in front of you by the rock at Mount Horeb. Hit the rock. Then water will come out of it for the people to drink." So Moses hit the rock in the sight of the elders of Israel.
Reference
7
Moses called the place Massah and Meribah. That's because the people of Israel argued with him there. They also put the Lord to the test. They asked, "Is the Lord among us or not?"
Reference
📍 Locations
9
Moses said to Joshua, "Choose some of our men. Then go out and fight against the Amalekites. Tomorrow I will stand on top of the hill. I'll stand there with the staff of God in my hands."
Reference
📍 Amalek
Parallel theme
Exodus 4:2
References God
Exodus 24:13
Exodus 4:20
References Moses
Deuteronomy 32:44
10
So Joshua fought against the Amalekites, just as Moses had ordered. Moses, Aaron and Hur went to the top of the hill.
Reference
📍 Amalek
People
Parallel theme
Exodus 24:14
11
As long as Moses held his hands up, the Israelites were winning. But every time he lowered his hands, the Amalekites began to win.
Reference
📍 Amalek
12
When Moses' arms got tired, Aaron and Hur got a stone and put it under him. Then he sat on it. Aaron and Hur held his hands up. Aaron was on one side, and Hur was on the other. Moses' hands remained steady until sunset.
Reference
13
So Joshua destroyed the Amalekite army with swords.
Reference
📍 Amalek
Parallel theme
Joshua 10:42
14
Then the Lord said to Moses, "That is something to be remembered. So write it on a scroll. Make sure Joshua knows you have done it. I will completely erase the memory of the Amalekites from the earth."
Reference
📍 Amalek
Parallel theme
1 Samuel 30:17
1 Samuel 30:1
Numbers 24:20
2 Samuel 8:12
Job 18:17
References Lord
Exodus 34:27
Exodus 12:14
Exodus 13:9
Exodus 24:4
16
He said, "I raised my hands toward the throne of the Lord. The Lord will fight against the Amalekites for all time to come."
Reference
📍 Amalek
References Lord
Isaiah 66:1
Chapter Summary
Exodus chapter 17 has two significant events occurring during Israel's wilderness wanderings: God's provision of water from a rock and God's provision of victory over the Amalekites. The chapter reveals Israel's ongoing need to learn to trust that God will provide for them even in the wilderness.
The whole congregation of Israel moves from place to place according to the LORD's command. Eventually, Israel camps in a place called Rephidim, but the people do not find water. The Israelites become angry and argue with Moses.
The Israelites ask Moses why he brought them out of Egypt to die in the wilderness. They are afraid that they, their children, and their animals will all die of thirst. They have forgotten God's provision of food for them during their journeys.
Moses is dismayed that the people are ready to accuse him and even stone him, so he cries out to the LORD and asks what he should do. God tells Moses to take the rod that he used to strike the Nile and to take some of the elders of Israel with him.
God tells Moses to go to a rock at Horeb, where he shall stand before the Lord. Moses is to strike the rock with his rod, and water shall come out of the rock so that the Israelites may drink.
Moses does as God commanded, striking the rock before the elders, and water came out of the rock. Again, God provides for the Israelites even when they have no other source of water.
Moses names the place Massah and Meribah because the Israelites complained to him and because they tested the LORD, showing that they were questioning whether the LORD was really with them.
The chapter turns to another need that Israel has in the wilderness. While Israel was in Rephidim, the Amalekites came and fought against Israel. Moses told Joshua to select men and go and fight Amalek.
Moses went to the top of a hill with the rod of God in his hand. While Moses held up his hand, Israel was victorious; however, when his hand became tired and he lowered it, Amalek had the advantage.
Aaron and Hur were with Moses on the hill. When Moses' hands were growing tired and he could barely keep them raised, they placed a stone under Moses so that he could sit on it. Aaron and Hur then held up Moses' hands, one on either side, until the sun had gone down.
Joshua and Israel eventually defeated Amalek, showing that Israel's power is not only in their armies but also in the LORD.
God told Moses to write this down in a book so that Joshua might remember it. God also declared that He would blot out the memory of Amalek from under heaven.
Moses built an altar and called it, "The LORD my banner." Moses recognized that Israel's victories came from the LORD, who fought for them.
The lesson of Exodus chapter 17 is that God provides for His people even when they are in need and that God enables His people to be victorious over their enemies when they trust Him.
The Israelites have physical needs as well as enemies who seek to destroy them. In the chapter, God provides a solution to a seemingly impossible need, and He provides the strength and power to overcome enemies. The Israelites learn to trust that God will be with them and care for them even in the wilderness.
God can provide even when Israel has no other means of provision. The God of Israel is able to bring water from a rock. Israel is in the wilderness, and there is no water, but God brings water out of the rock.
The Israelites often forget what God has done for them and are quick to accuse Moses. They have seen the Passover lamb, the crossing of the Red Sea, the manna, and the quail, but they question if God is with them when they are thirsty.
When Israel complains to Moses, Moses takes their problem to the LORD. Moses does not argue with the Israelites or try to solve their problems himself, but cries out to the LORD instead.
Israel must learn to fight, but the LORD is the one who fights for them. Joshua leads Israel's armies, and Moses prays to the LORD, asking Him for the strength for Israel to overcome the Amalekites.
God provides Aaron and Hur to help support Moses so that he can keep his hands raised. Moses' hands become tired, and Joshua and Israel's success seem to depend upon whether Moses' hands are raised. Aaron and Hur help Moses, enabling him to continue to pray and to raise his hands.
God works through Joshua and Moses to help the Israelites. The Israelites cannot fight successfully without the help of God, and Moses cannot support Israel's armies by himself. These verses show the importance of helping and encouraging each other. Aaron and Hur see Moses' need and help him instead of criticizing him. Their support plays a direct part in Israel's victory over the Amalekites.
Moses' altar, "The LORD my banner," is a reminder that the Lord fights for Israel and that the Israelites' victories truly belong to God. The Israelites are God's people, and they must realize that they cannot be successful apart from Him.
The chapter reminds Israel that they need to depend upon the LORD for their daily provision. It teaches that the Israelites must bring their problems to the LORD instead of complaining and blaming others.
It also instructs Israel that they are victorious when they trust that God is with them and when they pray to Him. God provides strength when they are physically or emotionally weak, and God's people are stronger when they encourage and support each other. God will bring Israel victories as long as they trust Him.
God may answer our prayers in different ways. We should bring our needs to God, and we must trust that God will answer our prayers. The Israelites needed God's power to fight their enemies just as we need God's help. We might have other enemies to fight, but we must realize that our successes and victories belong to God. We should be grateful for God's provision and power and should honor Him.
God is always present with His people even when they are suffering or in need. The chapter teaches Israel to depend upon God for water, food, protection, and even spiritual strength. The chapter shows that God cares for Israel and her needs.
The whole congregation of Israel moves from place to place according to the LORD's command. Eventually, Israel camps in a place called Rephidim, but the people do not find water. The Israelites become angry and argue with Moses.
The Israelites ask Moses why he brought them out of Egypt to die in the wilderness. They are afraid that they, their children, and their animals will all die of thirst. They have forgotten God's provision of food for them during their journeys.
Moses is dismayed that the people are ready to accuse him and even stone him, so he cries out to the LORD and asks what he should do. God tells Moses to take the rod that he used to strike the Nile and to take some of the elders of Israel with him.
God tells Moses to go to a rock at Horeb, where he shall stand before the Lord. Moses is to strike the rock with his rod, and water shall come out of the rock so that the Israelites may drink.
Moses does as God commanded, striking the rock before the elders, and water came out of the rock. Again, God provides for the Israelites even when they have no other source of water.
Moses names the place Massah and Meribah because the Israelites complained to him and because they tested the LORD, showing that they were questioning whether the LORD was really with them.
The chapter turns to another need that Israel has in the wilderness. While Israel was in Rephidim, the Amalekites came and fought against Israel. Moses told Joshua to select men and go and fight Amalek.
Moses went to the top of a hill with the rod of God in his hand. While Moses held up his hand, Israel was victorious; however, when his hand became tired and he lowered it, Amalek had the advantage.
Aaron and Hur were with Moses on the hill. When Moses' hands were growing tired and he could barely keep them raised, they placed a stone under Moses so that he could sit on it. Aaron and Hur then held up Moses' hands, one on either side, until the sun had gone down.
Joshua and Israel eventually defeated Amalek, showing that Israel's power is not only in their armies but also in the LORD.
God told Moses to write this down in a book so that Joshua might remember it. God also declared that He would blot out the memory of Amalek from under heaven.
Moses built an altar and called it, "The LORD my banner." Moses recognized that Israel's victories came from the LORD, who fought for them.
The lesson of Exodus chapter 17 is that God provides for His people even when they are in need and that God enables His people to be victorious over their enemies when they trust Him.
The Israelites have physical needs as well as enemies who seek to destroy them. In the chapter, God provides a solution to a seemingly impossible need, and He provides the strength and power to overcome enemies. The Israelites learn to trust that God will be with them and care for them even in the wilderness.
God can provide even when Israel has no other means of provision. The God of Israel is able to bring water from a rock. Israel is in the wilderness, and there is no water, but God brings water out of the rock.
The Israelites often forget what God has done for them and are quick to accuse Moses. They have seen the Passover lamb, the crossing of the Red Sea, the manna, and the quail, but they question if God is with them when they are thirsty.
When Israel complains to Moses, Moses takes their problem to the LORD. Moses does not argue with the Israelites or try to solve their problems himself, but cries out to the LORD instead.
Israel must learn to fight, but the LORD is the one who fights for them. Joshua leads Israel's armies, and Moses prays to the LORD, asking Him for the strength for Israel to overcome the Amalekites.
God provides Aaron and Hur to help support Moses so that he can keep his hands raised. Moses' hands become tired, and Joshua and Israel's success seem to depend upon whether Moses' hands are raised. Aaron and Hur help Moses, enabling him to continue to pray and to raise his hands.
God works through Joshua and Moses to help the Israelites. The Israelites cannot fight successfully without the help of God, and Moses cannot support Israel's armies by himself. These verses show the importance of helping and encouraging each other. Aaron and Hur see Moses' need and help him instead of criticizing him. Their support plays a direct part in Israel's victory over the Amalekites.
Moses' altar, "The LORD my banner," is a reminder that the Lord fights for Israel and that the Israelites' victories truly belong to God. The Israelites are God's people, and they must realize that they cannot be successful apart from Him.
The chapter reminds Israel that they need to depend upon the LORD for their daily provision. It teaches that the Israelites must bring their problems to the LORD instead of complaining and blaming others.
It also instructs Israel that they are victorious when they trust that God is with them and when they pray to Him. God provides strength when they are physically or emotionally weak, and God's people are stronger when they encourage and support each other. God will bring Israel victories as long as they trust Him.
God may answer our prayers in different ways. We should bring our needs to God, and we must trust that God will answer our prayers. The Israelites needed God's power to fight their enemies just as we need God's help. We might have other enemies to fight, but we must realize that our successes and victories belong to God. We should be grateful for God's provision and power and should honor Him.
God is always present with His people even when they are suffering or in need. The chapter teaches Israel to depend upon God for water, food, protection, and even spiritual strength. The chapter shows that God cares for Israel and her needs.