Is the LORD among us, or not?
People often ask questions about the problems they encounter and experience. Hence, the common, universally valid knowledge that everyone typically possesses is called common sense.
For example, if you’re hungry, you should eat. If you’re thirsty, you should drink. Most people in this world live within this category of knowledge called common sense. Those who lack this common sense are often referred to as ‘below common sense.’ Such individual is usually labeled as problematic or underdeveloped.
However, this common sense cannot answer questions like “Where did I come from? Why do I work, eat and build a family?” Even if answers are given, they are usually worldly responses. Therefore, people who are not satisfied with common sense seek to go beyond it. For example, if you’re thirsty, you drink water. But what is water? It’s H20. This approach is called scientific approach.
Yet, people are not satisfied with this either and ask further questions. For instance, “Where did water come from?” This leads to enquiries about the origin of water, which is a philosophical approach.
Thus, philosophy is still regarded as the highest form of study today. This is because it answers fundamental questions about human existence based on common sense and scientific research.
However, even though philosophy has been around for about 2,600 years, it still cannot precisely answer the question of the origin of existence. This is because the origin of existence must be approached theologically. God accurately speaks about how everything was made and what purpose it holds.
God declares and states that He is the creator of everything (Gen 1:1). Regarding humanity, God states that He created them in His own image (Gen 1:26-27). Therefore, knowing God and knowing the Bible, His Word, allows us to find answers to all fundamental problems.
Now, returning to today’s passage (Exo 17:1-7), the Israelites crossed the Red Sea after the Exodus. They experienced God’s presence as they crossed the Red Sea. They saw God providing a place for the people to rest with pillars of fire and pillars of cloud. However, when they arrived at a place called Rephidim, there was no water to drink. So, the Israelites asked, “Is the Lord among us or not?”
- They quarreled with God
The Bible records twice that the Israelites quarreled with God (Exo 17:2; Exo 17:7). This quarrel was not merely a difference of opinion, but a conflict marked by extreme dissatisfaction and complaint.
To the point where Moses prayed to God in Exodus 17:4, “They are almost ready to stone me.” It was a very dangerous and violent situation. So, what was the cause of this quarrel? Water. The quarrel arose because there was no water, threatening the survival of the Israelites.
Don’t we also face such situation in our lives? We encounter threats to our survival, health issues, business problems, issues with our children, etc. When such problems arise, have you ever thought, “If God is alive, how could this happen to me? If this is the result of going to church, I won’t go to church anymore, and I won’t be a believer? This is like how the Israelites quarrel with God at Meribah.
- They accused God
Here, “quarrel” is a term used in legal disputes. The Israelites are holding Moses accountable. “Why did you bring us out here and entice us to come all this way?” (Exo 17:3) They were ready to label Moses as a traitor to the nation and stone him to death. But the conclusion of their attack was not Moses but God. They made God their public enemy, accusing Him of not existing and being deceitful. Therefore, Moses clearly stated in Exodus 17:2 that what they were doing was testing and quarreling with God (Exo 17:2).
God says that despite seeing the miracles He performed in Egypt and the wilderness, the Israelites tested Him ten times and did not heed His voice. And those who tested His existence would never enter Canaan (Num 14:22-23).
- God provided water by striking Himself
God provided a solution to Moses, and the first task was to take the elders with him (Exo 17:5). This quarrel was like a legal lawsuit. Taking the elders as witnesses was to ensure that no falsehoods or rumors could be spread. Our God handles matters perfectly like this. Then God told Moses to take his staff and stand before the rock. When he strikes the rock, water will come out for the people to drink (Exo 17:6).
But visualize this scene. God said He would stand before Moses, so God descended. The Israelites might not have seen Him, but Moses, who received the word, knew. God who descended, stood before Moses. What else was there before Moses? The rock. Moses struck the rock with his staff. Who was hit then? God was hit.
As a result of Moses striking the rock, the rock was split. Just as the body of Jesus Christ was torn and His blood flowed, the rock was split, and water flowed out (Deu 32:15; Psa 18:2; 1 Cor 10:4). Some people say that the God of the Old Testament is a God of wrath and judgment. But seeing such scene shows us how great our God’s love is.
Conclusion: God is within us.
Asking, “Is God among us?” is a sin equivalent to striking God and crucifying Jesus Christ again. So, what should we do? We must believe that God is within us.
In the last days, even if they say Christ is here or there, do not go. Why? Because the kingdom of God is within you (Luke 17:20-23; Matt 28:20).
Sometimes the darkness of life may come. Periods of shaken faith may come. However, I ask you to confess in faith, “Jesus is within me, God the Father is within me.” (Habakkuk 3:17-18) I once again bless you in the name of the Lord that you become believers who rejoice because God the Father is with you, and with that joy, you overcome all difficult times.
The Lord's Covenant Church Malaysia 