Already in this Exodus there is the reoccurring pattern of Israel being tested, Israel complaining, Moses interceding and the Lord intervening. Sadly Israel appears to learn little from their previous tests and God’s gracious provision.

We need to ask ourselves are we guilty of the same mistake of not learning from our previous tests and God’s provision. The lesson we need to learn is that God is good and can be trusted fully in every situation.

The opposition seems to be growing more hostile towards Moses (v4). Leadership can be a very lonely place and Moses is encouraged to involve some of the elders in this response (v5).

Water is wonderfully brought from the rock to meet the needs of the people (v6). Paul speaks of how the true rock who provided for this people in the wilderness was in fact Christ (see 1 Corinthians 10 v4).

Jesus is the one we all need to turn to for to have all our needs met.

This place would carry the names Massah and Meribah (v7) as a reminder of the quarrelling of the people against God. Let us not be remembered for this.