Exo 17:7 | KingComments | STEP | In Moses really exposes the evil mind of the people by telling them that they test the LORD. After striking the rock he calls the place “Massah and Meribah”. In this way he records the reminder of what is happening here for posterity. The reason for the naming is described in detail in this verse. Massah means ‘trial’, Meribah means ‘struggle’ (cf. ). Remarkably, the names do not remind of God’s gracious actions, the striking of the rock, but of the rebellious actions of the people. They need to be reminded why the rock was struck. The special thing about this trial is not so much that God is testing His people, but the opposite, that Israel is testing God! They challenge Him by demanding from Him a proof of His presence. By doing so they show doubt of His love and faithfulness and of His presence in their midst, perhaps even of His existence. It is the same language of rebellious unbelief that does not sound unfamiliar to us in our day: If there is a God, He should do this or that. As if God has not proven Himself many times already. The sin of the people is not just unbelief in the power of God, but a doubt of His presence and purposes. You may doubt whether He is able to work in a particular case. That is thinking too little of God, or badly of Him. It is even worse when we think He doesn’t have good purposes for us, or that He doesn’t care about us at all or that He isn’t with us.

‏ Exodus 17:7

The LORD Tested

In Exo 17:2 Moses really exposes the evil mind of the people by telling them that they test the LORD. After striking the rock he calls the place “Massah and Meribah”. In this way he records the reminder of what is happening here for posterity. The reason for the naming is described in detail in this verse. Massah means ‘trial’, Meribah means ‘struggle’ (cf. Heb 3:8).

Remarkably, the names do not remind of God’s gracious actions, the striking of the rock, but of the rebellious actions of the people. They need to be reminded why the rock was struck.

The special thing about this trial is not so much that God is testing His people, but the opposite, that Israel is testing God! They challenge Him by demanding from Him a proof of His presence. By doing so they show doubt of His love and faithfulness and of His presence in their midst, perhaps even of His existence. It is the same language of rebellious unbelief that does not sound unfamiliar to us in our day: If there is a God, He should do this or that. As if God has not proven Himself many times already.

The sin of the people is not just unbelief in the power of God, but a doubt of His presence and purposes. You may doubt whether He is able to work in a particular case. That is thinking too little of God, or badly of Him. It is even worse when we think He doesn’t have good purposes for us, or that He doesn’t care about us at all or that He isn’t with us.