October 17, 2020

The book of Exodus tells the story of the birth of the nation of Israel fulfilling God’s promise to Abraham.  From the seventy descendants of Jacob, Israel was fruitful and multiplied greatly until they filled the whole land of Egypt.  After four centuries of slavery, God answers the cries of His people for deliverance.  God raises up Moses for this calling, to lead his people out of bondage to a land of promise and deliverance. 

Some of the greatest stories of the Bible are featured in Exodus—from the Ten Plagues, and the Passover, to the crossing of the Red Sea, and the establishment of the covenant at Mount Sinai. The Passover lamb, the exodus from the land of Egypt, the seven feasts, the tabernacle, and even the high priest, are all foreshadows of the ministry of Christ.

Chapters 1-18 contains the events leading up to God’s delivering the Hebrews from their captivity in Egypt, and chapters 19-40 shares the events in the wilderness and the account of God’s instructions to Moses on Mount Sinai to direct the life and worship of the nation.

Exodus 17

Water from the Rock

1 All the congregation of the people of Israel moved on from the wilderness of Sin by stages, according to the commandment of the Lord, and camped at Rephidim, but there was no water for the people to drink. 2 Therefore the people quarreled with Moses and said, “Give us water to drink.” And Moses said to them, “Why do you quarrel with me? Why do you test the Lord?” 3 But the people thirsted there for water, and the people grumbled against Moses and said, “Why did you bring us up out of Egypt, to kill us and our children and our livestock with thirst?” 4 So Moses cried to the Lord, “What shall I do with this people? They are almost ready to stone me.” 5 And the Lord said to Moses, “Pass on before the people, taking with you some of the elders of Israel, and take in your hand the staff with which you struck the Nile, and go. 6 Behold, I will stand before you there on the rock at Horeb, and you shall strike the rock, and water shall come out of it, and the people will drink.” And Moses did so, in the sight of the elders of Israel. 7 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?”

Israel Defeats Amalek

8 Then Amalek came and fought with Israel at Rephidim. 9 So Moses said to Joshua, “Choose for us men, and go out and fight with Amalek. Tomorrow I will stand on the top of the hill with the staff of God in my hand.” 10 So Joshua did as Moses told him, and fought with Amalek, while Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill. 11 Whenever Moses held up his hand, Israel prevailed, and whenever he lowered his hand, Amalek prevailed. 12 But Moses’ hands grew weary, so they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat on it, while Aaron and Hur held up his hands, one on one side, and the other on the other side. So his hands were steady until the going down of the sun. 13 And Joshua overwhelmed Amalek and his people with the sword.

14 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Write this as a memorial in a book and recite it in the ears of Joshua, that I will utterly blot out the memory of Amalek from under heaven.” 15 And Moses built an altar and called the name of it, The Lord Is My Banner, 16 saying, “A hand upon the throne of the Lord! The Lord will have war with Amalek from generation to generation.”

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

Reflection:

  • What did the people of Israel complain about in verse 3?
  • Who delivered the Israelites from captivity in Egypt, sustained their firstborn during the Passover, miraculously saved them through the Red Sea, and provided quail and manna from heaven for food?
  • Who did the people blame (v. 3)? Why do you think they blamed Moses when they had been eyewitnesses to the mighty acts of God?

Prayer:  Praise the name of the Lord! You are my banner, my hope, and my present help in times of need!  I will not fear the enemy Lord for you will fight for me.  I place my trust in you Father, for you are good and merciful. It is the LORD who goes before me. You will be with me; you will not leave me or forsake me. I will not fear or be dismayed (Deuteronomy 31:8). In Jesus’ name, amen.

9 thoughts on “Daily Devotional-October 17th”

    1. Gracias padre porque eres mi fiel pastor y nada me faltará debajo de tus alas tú me infundes fortaleza tu gracia y tu misericordia están conmigo todo los días y cada mañana tus promesas se renuevan gracias mi padre porque eres grande omnipotente toda la gloría, la honra y alabanza son tuyas y la victoria es nuestra en nombre y por amor de tu hijo amado amén y amén ?

  2. Jehovah Nissi “God our banner”. Your banner over us is love! God is love. May we seek your kingdom and your righteousness first, then everything else will be added unto us. Father, may seek your face with our whole heart that we might find you and stay in your presence continually as we worship you and praise you with a thankful heart. Let me go through each day with my eyes and heart uplifted to see Your glory! Be with us each day, 24/7, as we journey through this temporary home. Come quickly Lord Jesus! Amen

  3. One commentator explains what a mathematical miracle God did as He fed the Israelites : 1500 tons of food was needed daily and 11 million gallons of water daily needed! There was no food in the desert to rely on. God has a proven track record to His faithfulness to His children.

  4. Lord, forgive us for not trusting you, for being distracted, blaming and justifying our lack of faith, rather than seeking you, to find you faithful in your sovereign provision.

  5. Dear Heavenly Father,
    “Trust and Obey for there’s no other way” is part of a hymn I have kept in my heart for years. Also “Standing on the promises of Christ my King” is right in there with many, many more. My exposure to the wonderful hymns I grew up in church singing has been a constant aide and source of support. A day without Jesus is completely unheard of to me. I need thee every hour my precious Lord. Thank You for bring by my side all of my life and blessing me im so many ways. I will praise Your name forever. Amen.

  6. The Lord is My Banner
    NLT – Yahweh-Nissi
    JPS Tanakh – Adonai-nissi
    KJV – Jehovahnissi
    ASV – Jehovah-nissi
    Lexicon : The Lord – Yahweh, Is My Banner – nissi
    Only other name given to an altar was Jacob : El-Elohe-Israel.

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