Water from the Rock
Teaching Pastor; Staff Governing Elder; Staff Director
As the Israelites travel through the desert, they are faced with trials of thirst and hostility from the Amalekites. Rather than allow themselves to be tested by God, they assume a posture of authority on their own terms. But God responds to their testing with patience and grace—he is the rock of life and salvation.
Study Questions
Application
How have you responded to God when he has tested your faith? Is there a theme of control and manipulation, or do you seek obedience and repentance?
The Israelites have just experienced the Passover, they have walked through the Red Sea, and eaten manna from heaven—yet they forget his faithfulness with each new trial they face. What do you need to remember about God’s faithfulness in your life?
Key Points
We show our lack of faith when we weaponize our weaknesses as a tool to try and control God.
God is revealing himself to the Israelites as the source of life and the source of salvation, a foreshadowing of our life and salvation in Jesus.
When we are committed to wanting things on our own terms, we reverse the roles of authority and place God in the dock.
God’s answer to the Israelites’ testing is patience, protection, and grace for his people.
The way that we overthrow our enemies is to deny ourselves and lay down our lives, as Jesus denied himself his heavenly throne so that we may have everlasting life.