COMMENTARY

​Old Testament: Exodus 17:1-7
Upon Yahweh's direction, Moses brings water out of a rock for the wilderness people. God's people are in the wilderness and are thirsty. This is one of a series of complaints of the Israelites during their forty-year stay in the wilderness. This episode follows the pattern of the others: The people complain to Moses, Moses takes the complaint to Yahweh, and Yahweh graciously answers the need. In this case, Moses is directed to strike a rock out of which comes water. The account points out the faithlessness of the people by threatening Moses and by putting God to the test, the obedience of Moses, and the goodness of God in answering the need. In this instance, there was the sin of putting God to the test: Is God with us or not?

Epistle: Romans 5:1-…