EPISODE 24 :: EXODUS 17 THRU 19 :: ISRAEL GRUMBLES; GOD LAYS DOWN THE LAW

Exodus 17:1-4  ISRAEL COMPLAINS AGAINST MOSES

1 Then all the congregation of the sons of Israel journeyed by stages from the wilderness of Sin, according to the command of the LORD, and camped at Rephidim, and there was no water for the people to drink.

2 Therefore the people quarreled with Moses and said, "Give us water that we may 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 they grumbled against Moses and said, "Why, now, have you brought us up from Egypt, to kill us and our children and our livestock with thirst?"

4 So Moses cried out to the LORD, saying, "What shall I do to this people? A little more and they will stone me."

            Israel is moving along their journey as God has commanded them and then He brings them to a place of no water.

Question:  When we are obeying God, why would He on some occasions bring us to a place to encounter difficulty? 

Answer:  It is for the purpose of testing and growing our faith and by that he is glorified.

            Here we see that they felt agitated or even deceived by Moses’ leadership so much so that Moses felt that his life was being threatened.  Perhaps they were not only thirsted for water but were becoming blood thirsty.