◄ Exodus 17:4 ►
Then Moses cried out to the LORD, "What should I do with these people? A little more and they will stone me!"
Study Bible
So Moses cried out
The phrase "cried out" in Hebrew is "צָעַק" (tsa'aq), which conveys a deep, urgent plea for help. This is not a mere request but a desperate call from Moses, reflecting his intense distress and reliance on God. Historically, this moment captures Moses' leadership challenges as he navigates the Israelites' journey through the wilderness. His cry signifies a leader's vulnerability and the necessity of divine intervention in times of crisis.

to the LORD
The term "LORD" here is the tetragrammaton "יהוה" (YHWH), the sacred and personal name of God revealed to Moses at the burning bush (Exodus 3:14). This name signifies God's eternal presence and covenant faithfulness. Moses' direct appeal to YHWH underscores the intimate relationship between God and His chosen leader, highlighting the unique privilege Moses had in communicating directly with the Almighty.

What should I do
This phrase reveals Moses' uncertainty and the burden of leadership. The Hebrew root "עָשָׂה" (asah) means "to do" or "to make," indicating Moses' search for a practical solution. It reflects the human aspect of leadership, where even the most faithful servants of God seek divine guidance when faced with overwhelming challenges.

with these people?
The term "these people" refers to the Israelites, who were often described as a "stiff-necked" people (Exodus 32:9). This phrase captures the tension between Moses and the Israelites, who frequently complained and rebelled despite witnessing God's miracles. It highlights the recurring theme of human disobedience and the need for patience and perseverance in leadership.

A little more
This expression suggests the imminence of danger. The Hebrew word "מְעַט" (me'at) implies that the situation is on the brink of escalation. It conveys the urgency of Moses' plea and the precariousness of his position as a leader facing potential violence from his own people.

and they will stone me!
Stoning was a common form of capital punishment in ancient Israel, reserved for severe transgressions. The threat of stoning indicates the severity of the Israelites' frustration and their readiness to resort to violence. This phrase underscores the gravity of the situation Moses faced and the extent of the people's desperation and lack of faith. It serves as a reminder of the challenges faced by those who lead God's people and the importance of steadfast faith in God's provision and protection.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Moses
The leader of the Israelites, chosen by God to lead His people out of Egypt. In this verse, Moses is in a position of desperation and fear due to the people's complaints.

2. The LORD (Yahweh)
The covenant God of Israel, who Moses cries out to for guidance and help in the face of the people's rebellion.

3. The Israelites
The people of God, who are journeying from Egypt to the Promised Land. They are grumbling against Moses due to a lack of water.

4. Rephidim
The location where the Israelites camped and where this event takes place. It is significant as a place of testing and God's provision.

5. The Threat of Stoning
Represents the severe discontent and rebellion of the people against Moses, highlighting the gravity of the situation.
Teaching Points
Dependence on God in Leadership
Moses' cry to the LORD demonstrates the importance of seeking God's guidance in times of crisis. Leaders today can learn to rely on God rather than their own understanding.

The Danger of Grumbling
The Israelites' complaints show a lack of faith and gratitude. Believers are called to trust in God's provision and timing, avoiding a spirit of grumbling.

God's Faithfulness in Testing
Despite the Israelites' rebellion, God provides for their needs. This teaches us about God's patience and faithfulness even when we falter.

The Role of Intercession
Moses intercedes for the people, pointing to the importance of prayer and intercession for others, especially in times of conflict or need.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does Moses' response to the Israelites' complaints in Exodus 17:4 demonstrate his relationship with God, and what can we learn from this about handling conflict?

2. In what ways do the Israelites' actions at Rephidim reflect a pattern of behavior seen elsewhere in Scripture, and how can we avoid similar pitfalls in our own lives?

3. How does the threat of stoning Moses highlight the severity of the Israelites' rebellion, and what does this teach us about the consequences of unchecked discontent?

4. Considering God's response to Moses' cry for help, how can we apply the principle of seeking divine guidance in our personal and communal challenges?

5. Reflect on a time when you faced a situation that seemed overwhelming. How can Moses' example in Exodus 17:4 encourage you to respond differently in the future?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Numbers 20:2-13
Another instance where the Israelites complain about the lack of water, showing a pattern of distrust and rebellion.

Psalm 95:8-9
Reflects on the Israelites' testing of God at Meribah, urging believers not to harden their hearts as the Israelites did.

Hebrews 3:7-12
Warns against unbelief and hardening of the heart, using the Israelites' rebellion as an example.
Sermons
Christ Our SpringH.T. Robjohns Exodus 17:1-7
The Giving of Water in RephidimD. Young Exodus 17:1-7
The Water from the RockJ. Orr Exodus 17:1-7
Trial and FailureJ. Urquhart Exodus 17:1-7
Crying unto the Lord for HelpNew York Independent.Exodus 17:4-7
Help from an Unlikely SourceExodus 17:4-7
Horeb; Or, Great Mercies from Unlikely SourcesHomilistExodus 17:4-7
The Needful Things of Life Providentially SuppliedJ. S. Exell, M. A.Exodus 17:4-7
The Smitten RockI. Saunders.Exodus 17:4-7
Water Out of the Rock, a Type of ChristT. Taylor, D. D.Exodus 17:4-7
People
Aaron, Amalek, Amalekites, Hur, Israelites, Joshua, Moses
Places
Egypt, Horeb, Massah, Meribah, Nile River, Rephidim, Sinai
Topics
Almost, Cried, Crieth, Crying, Death, Ready, Saying, Stone, Stoned, Stoning, Yet
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Exodus 17:4

     8737   evil, responses to

Exodus 17:1-6

     5580   thirst

Exodus 17:1-7

     4278   spring of water
     5473   proof, through testing
     5924   quarrelsomeness

Exodus 17:3-4

     5945   self-pity

Exodus 17:3-6

     1330   God, the provider

Exodus 17:4-7

     8614   prayer, answers

Library
Nature of the Renderings
From the text we now turn to the renderings, and to the general principles that were followed, both in the Old and in the New Testament. The revision of the English text was in each case subject to the same general rule, viz. "To introduce as few alterations as possible into the Text of the Authorised Version consistently with faithfulness"; but, owing to the great difference between the two languages, the Hebrew and the Greek, the application of the rule was necessarily different, and the results …
C. J. Ellicott—Addresses on the Revised Version of Holy Scripture

Jehovah Nissi
'And Moses built an altar, and called the name of it Jehovah Nissi [that is, the Lord is my Banner].' --EXODUS xvii. 15. We are all familiar with that picturesque incident of the conflict between Israel and Amalek, which ended in victory and the erection of this memorial trophy. Moses, as you remember, went up on the mount whilst Joshua and the men of war fought in the plain. But I question whether we usually attach the right meaning to the symbolism of this event. We ordinarily, I suppose, think …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

The War of Truth
Now, beloved, this scene of warfare is not recorded in Scripture as in interesting circumstance to amuse the lover of history, but it is written for our edification; for we remember the text which says--"Whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our profit." There is some profit to be derived from this--and we believe a peculiar profit, too, since God was pleased to make this the first writing commanded by Divine authority as a record for generations to come. We think that the journeys …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 3: 1857

How Churches Can Help Ministers.
Text.--And it came to pass, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed; and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed. But Moses's hands were heavy, and they took a stone, and put it under him, and he sat thereon: and Aaron and Hur stayed up his hands, the one on the one side and the other on the other side: and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun. And Joshua discomfited Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword.--Exodus xvii. 11-13. You who read your Bibles will …
Charles Grandison Finney—Lectures on Revivals of Religion

Exhortation to Prayer.
…
John Newton—Olney Hymns

The Waters of Meribah
'Then came the children of Israel, even the whole congregation, into the desert of Zin in the first month: and the people abode in Kadesh; and Miriam died there, and was buried there. 2. And there was no water for the congregation: and they gathered themselves together against Moses and against Aaron. 3. And the people chode with Moses, and spake, saying, Would God that we had died when our brethren died before the Lord! 4. And why have ye brought up the congregation of the Lord into this wilderness, …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

The Intercessor
'These words spake Jesus, and lifted up His eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour is come; glorify Thy Son, that Thy Son also may glorify Thee: As Thou hast given Him power over all flesh, that He should give eternal life to as many as Thou hast given Him. And this is life eternal, that they might know Thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom Thou hast sent. I have glorified Thee on the earth: I have finished the work which Thou gavest Me to do. And now, O Father, glorify Thou Me with …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture: St. John Chaps. XV to XXI

Appendix ii. Philo of Alexandria and Rabbinic Theology.
(Ad. vol. i. p. 42, note 4.) In comparing the allegorical Canons of Philo with those of Jewish traditionalism, we think first of all of the seven exegetical canons which are ascribed to Hillel. These bear chiefly the character of logical deductions, and as such were largely applied in the Halakhah. These seven canons were next expanded by R. Ishmael (in the first century) into thirteen, by the analysis of one of them (the 5th) into six, and the addition of this sound exegetical rule, that where two …
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah

The Reaction against Egypt
THE XIth DYNASTY: HARMHABI--THE HITTITE EMPIRE IN SYRIA AND IN ASIA MINOR--SETI I. AND RAMSES II.--THE PEOPLE OF THE SEA: MINEPHTAH AND THE ISRAELITE EXODUS. The birth and antecedents of Harmhabi, his youth, his enthronement--The final triumph of Amon and his priests--Harmhabi infuses order into the government: his wars against the Ethiopians and Asiatics--The Khati, their civilization, religion; their political and military constitution; the extension of their empire towards the north--The countries …
G. Maspero—History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 5

Jehovah. The "I Am. "
WHEN Moses in the desert beheld the burning bush God answered his question by the revelation of His name as the "I Am." "And God said unto Moses, I am, that I am: and He said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you" (Exod. iii:14). He who spake thus out of the bush to Moses was the same who in the fullness of time appeared upon the earth in the form of man. Our Lord Jesus Christ is no less person, than the I AM. If we turn to the fourth Gospel in which the Holy …
Arno Gaebelein—The Lord of Glory

"Because the Carnal Mind is Enmity against God, for it is not Subject to the Law of God, Neither Indeed Can Be. "
Rom. viii. 7.--"Because the carnal mind is enmity against God, for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be." Unbelief is that which condemns the world. It involves in more condemnation than many other sins, not only because more universal, but especially because it shuts up men in their misery, and secludes them from the remedy that is brought to light in the gospel. By unbelief I mean, not only that careless neglect of Jesus Christ offered for salvation, but that which is the …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

Epistle xxviii. To Augustine, Bishop of the Angli .
To Augustine, Bishop of the Angli [136] . Gregory to Augustine, &c. Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men of good will (Luke ii. 14); because a grain of wheat, falling into the earth, has died, that it might not reign in heaven alone; even He by whose death we live, by whose weakness we are made strong, by whose suffering we are rescued from suffering, through whose love we seek in Britain for brethren whom we knew not, by whose gift we find those whom without knowing them we sought. …
Saint Gregory the Great—the Epistles of Saint Gregory the Great

Ninth Sunday after Trinity Carnal Security and Its vices.
Text: 1 Corinthians 10, 6-13. 6 Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted. 7 Neither be ye idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play. 8 Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand. 9 Neither let us make trial of the Lord, as some of them made trial, and perished by the serpents. 10 Neither murmur ye, as …
Martin Luther—Epistle Sermons, Vol. III

Exodus
The book of Exodus--so named in the Greek version from the march of Israel out of Egypt--opens upon a scene of oppression very different from the prosperity and triumph in which Genesis had closed. Israel is being cruelly crushed by the new dynasty which has arisen in Egypt (i.) and the story of the book is the story of her redemption. Ultimately it is Israel's God that is her redeemer, but He operates largely by human means; and the first step is the preparation of a deliverer, Moses, whose parentage, …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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