bible reading mar 6

Bible reading Mar 6: Exodus 17; Luke 20.

And he called the name of the place Massah and Meribah, because of the quarreling of the people of Israel, and because they tested the LORD by saying, "Is the LORD among us or not?" (Exodus 17:7)

Water from the rock (Ex 17:1-7). The people again complain and quarrel with Moses. God instructs Moses to strike the rock, and water came out to supply all their needs. We learn here that such complaining is a way we test God. When we're unhappy and complain against God it's like we are saying, "Are you with us or not?" We might also say, "Are you real? Are you listening? Do you care? Can't you do anything?" These are ways we seek to prod God into the action we want. It means we doubt his character, care, wisdom, and timing. The New Testament tells us that this rock foreshadowed the Lord Jesus: "...and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank from the spiritual Rock that followed them, and the Rock was Christ. Nevertheless, with most of them God was not pleased, for they were overthrown in the wilderness. Now these things took place as examples for us, that we might not desire evil as they did." (1 Cor 10:4-6)

Battle with the Amalekites (Ex 17:8-16). This is Israel's first taste of warfare, when they are attacked by the Amalekites. As long as Moses holds up his staff, Israel prevails in battle. Aaron and Hur are wonderful examples of intercessors who help keep Moses' hands uplifted, much like our Lord and the Holy Spirit strengthen us in our battle against sin and the devil (Rom 8:26, 34). Moses is told to write God's promise down in a book as a memorial to be recited, not only for Joshua but also for us: "Now these things happened to them as an example, but they were written down for our instruction, on whom the end of the ages has come (1 Cor 10:11)"

Image above: waterfall at En Gedi, southern Israel, by Robert Bye on Unsplash.
We are following the Robert Murray M'Cheyne (RMM) two-year reading schedule, as arranged by D. A. Carson. A PDF copy is available here.
Scripture quotations, unless otherwise noted, are from The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

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