Water from the Rock at Rephidim

The Israelites travelled on from the wilderness of Sin as Yahweh commanded, and they camped at Rephidim. But there was no water there for the people to drink.

The people quarrelled with Moses and demanded water. Moses asked why they were quarrelling with him and testing Yahweh. They were thirsty, and they complained that Moses had brought them out of Egypt only for them, their children, and their livestock to die of thirst.

Moses cried out to Yahweh because the situation had become dangerous. He said the people were almost ready to stone him. Then Yahweh told Moses to walk on ahead of the people and take the elders of Israel with him.

Yahweh also told Moses to take the staff he had used to strike the Nile. God said he would stand before Moses there on the rock in Horeb. Moses was to strike the rock, and water would come out so the people could drink.

Moses did so in the sight of the elders of Israel. He called the place Massah and Meribah because the Israelites had quarrelled and tested Yahweh, saying, “Is Yahweh among us, or not?” When we are afraid and in need, will we bring that need to God instead of testing him?