COMMENTARY

Old Testament: Exodus 17:1-7 (C, E); Exodus 17:3-7 (RC)
The people of Israel cry out against Moses and God for bringing them out into the wilderness, where there is no water. Moses, fearing for his life, takes the problem to the Lord. God commands Moses to take the staff with which he struck the Nile, when the sea parted before them, and strike a rock. Water would flow forth. This place is called both Massah and Meribah. Massah means "test" and Meribah renders "to find fault." The disobedient Hebrew people were guilty of putting God to the test.

Epistle: Romans 5:1-11 (C, E); Romans 5:1-2, 5-8 (RC)
In the previous chapter, starting with the example of Abraham, Paul has established how we are justified by faith in Christ. In this chapter, he follows with the blessings that rel…