Sabbath, February 24 – Exodus 17, 18 – Additional reading, Patriarchs and Prophets, chapter 26, “From the Red Sea to Sinai”
1. Where was the rock struck? Exodus 17:6
2. Who did Amalekites descend from? Genesis 36:12
3. What does Yahweh-nissi mean? Exodus 17:15
4. Who was Moses’ father-in-law? Exodus 18:1
5. According to what law did Moses judge the matters of the people? Exodus 18:16
6. Why did Jethro advise Moses to appoint judges? Exodus 18:17,18
How many times did the people of Israel question God’s calling! They questioned it at the Red Sea, at the bitter waters of Marah, in the wilderness of Sin, before receiving manna, and now at Horeb. No matter that each time they were cared for, they still questioned their calling. We tend to embrace the false idea that when we are led by God, we won’t have problems. This notion makes us unhappy murmurers. It’s important to keep in mind that, although we are guided and protected by the cloud and the pillar of fire, we are still walking in the desert.
The rock at Horeb represents Jesus, and the Moses’ rod represents God’s act. Jesus suffered the wrath of God for our sins. When struck by God, from Him flowed the water of life to quench the thirst of the soul.
13 Jesus answered and said to her, “Whoever drinks of this water will thirst again, 14 but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life.” John 4:13, 14
During the battle with Amalek, Moses’ hands were held up by Aaron and Hur as he cried out to God. Prayer is the most effective strategy we can use in life’s battles. Having someone to support us and accompany us in prayer is a great blessing.
“The lifting up of the hands has generally been reg
arded by ancient Jewish scholars, by the church Fathers, by the Reformers, and by many modem commentators as the sign or attitude of prayer. Throughout Bible times the custom of lifting up one’s hands in prayer was observed by pious and earnest worshipers.” SDA Bible Commentary, Exodus 17:11
Moses built an altar that he called “Yahweh-nissi.”
” In naming the altar, Moses followed the example of Jacob, who had called one of his altars El-elohe-Israel (Gen. 33:20). The name of Moses’ altar meant “the Lord is my banner” and was intended to glorify God for victory over the Amalekites.
“The rod of God” (Ex. 17:9) had been held up by Moses during the battle as soldiers hold up their standards, and as soldiers follow the standard, Israel had followed the directions of God. Thus, the Lord became their standard. While in Egypt the Israelites had frequently seen the military standards of the Egyptian amiies, which bore pictorial representations of their gods Amen, Ra, Ptah, Sutekh, and others, after whom their divisions were named. Giving the name “the Lord is my standard” to this altar, Moses used familiar language and at the same time called attention to the fact that the standard of the Lord was more powerful than the emblems of the Amalekites. The name “Jehovahnissi” stands for holy boldness.” SDABC, Exodus 17:15
Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, was a priest of the true God. The Midianites were descendants of Abraham through Midian, his son with Keturah. Jethro was a wise man. God sent him at the precise moment. His advice is an extremely important principle of spiritual leadership that Moses was wise to accept and keep to the letter. Even wiser was Jethro when, after visiting and giving counsel, he returned home allowing needed space for his daughter’s family.
27 Then Moses let his father-in-law depart, and he went his way to his own land. Exodus 18:27
May God grant us to be wise in-laws, who know how to allow space, and appreciate good advice.
May you have a very blessed day.