Links for today’s readings:
Read: Exodus 17 Listen: (8:45) Read: Matthew 28 Listen: (2:39)
Scripture Focus: Exodus 17.1-7
1 The whole Israelite community set out from the Desert of Sin, traveling from place to place as the Lord commanded. They camped at Rephidim, but there was no water for the people to drink. 2 So they quarreled with Moses and said, “Give us water to drink.”
Moses replied, “Why do you quarrel with me? Why do you put the Lord to the test?”
3 But the people were thirsty for water there, and they grumbled against Moses. They said, “Why did you bring us up out of Egypt to make us and our children and livestock die of thirst?”
4 Then Moses cried out to the Lord, “What am I to do with these people? They are almost ready to stone me.”
5 The Lord answered Moses, “Go out in front of the people. Take with you some of the elders of Israel and take in your hand the staff with which you struck the Nile, and go. 6 I will stand there before you by the rock at Horeb. Strike the rock, and water will come out of it for the people to drink.” So Moses did this in the sight of the elders of Israel. 7 And he called the place Massah and Meribah because the Israelites quarreled and because they tested the Lord saying, “Is the Lord among us or not?”
Reflection: Is The Lord Among Us?
By John Tillman
“Is the Lord among us or not?”
It’s not a bad question. Each of us has probably wondered something similar from time to time. However, the people weren’t simply calling out to God in need.
When biblical authors reference this moment, they blame the people for “testing” the Lord. One such reference is the command to “not put the Lord your God to the test” which Jesus quoted during his temptation in the desert. (Dt 6.16; 9.22; 33.8; Ps 95.8)
The people are also described as “quarreling.” This is not just arguing or debating a course of action. The people condemned as a liar Moses who told them the truth. They rebelled against Moses when he brought them salvation. They threatened violence against Moses who helped them escape violence.
We often think about Pharaoh’s hardened heart, but what about Israel’s? Pharaoh experienced ten punishing plagues, but Israel experienced (up to this point) six miraculous salvations and blessings.
They experienced God’s saving protection during Passover. They experienced God’s prosperous provision as the Egyptians sent them away with great wealth. They experienced God’s presence through the pillar of fire and cloud which divided light from darkness, keeping Pharaoh’s army in the dark and Israel in the light. They experienced crossing the sea on a path of “dry land” God brought from the chaotic waters. They saw the waters flood back to destroy their enemies. They experienced God’s provision of bread from heaven to eat in the wilderness.
Just a few chapters ago, they sang, “In your unfailing love you will lead the people you have redeemed,” (Exodus 15.13a) but here they stood, accusing God and his prophets of leading them into the desert to die. Despite what they had seen, they had so little faith. (Luke 12.28; Matthew 6.30; 8.26; 14.31; 16.8; 17.20)
Remember what you have seen and experienced. Jesus is our “Passover” salvation. He became poor to enrich us, transferred us from darkness to light, made a way where there was no way, brought us through death to life, and his body and blood are our spiritual food and drink in this wilderness.
It is not a sin to cry out to God in need, but how you respond in a crisis matters to God, especially regarding how you treat others. Don’t allow distress to cause despair or lead you to treat others with disdain.
Is the Lord among us? Yes. Jesus, in his unfailing love, will lead those he has redeemed.
Divine Hours Prayer: The Request for Presence
Oh God of hosts, show the light of your countenance, and we shall be saved. — Psalm 80.7
– Divine Hours prayers from The Divine Hours: Prayers for Springtime by Phyllis Tickle.
Read more: Honey and Grace
Seek for Jesus in your pain, in your desert, in your struggle, for it is only from him that you can receive, not just sustenance, but honey from the rock.
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