Exodus 17
17:1 a from place to place: With a large and diverse group, travel was undoubtedly slow and arduous. It is also possible that God was using this time to demonstrate his care by miraculously providing for their needs before bringing them to Mount Sinai and offering his covenant to them.17:2 b testing the Lord is explained in 17:7 c. They doubted that God was really with them or cared for them, and they demanded that he prove his presence and care. God invites a test based on faith (“I do believe, but help me overcome my unbelief,” Mark 9:24 d), but he abhors a test based on doubt (i.e., I don’t believe, and I think God should prove himself to me, as in John 6:30 e). The test based on doubt makes us the judge and God the defendant.
17:3 f Regarding a similar complaint, see study note on 16:3.
17:6 g Mount Sinai: See study note on 3:1.
• water gushed out: Note the similar provision in Num 20:11 h (see also Ps 78:15-16 i; 105:41 j; 114:8 k; Isa 48:21 l).
Summary for Exod 17:8-16: 17:8-16 m Israel was enabled to defeat the Amalekites only by God’s blessing and providential care. 17:8 n Amalek was Esau’s grandson (Gen 36:11-12 o). His descendants were nomadic, though loosely based in the land of Edom. They seem to have supported themselves by raiding more settled peoples.
Summary for Exod 17:9-13: 17:9-13 p This victory was a gift from God, as the description here makes clear. The determining factor was God’s blessing, as indicated by Moses’ upraised hands. This principle was illustrated again and again in the conquest of the land of Canaan. Without God’s blessing, Israel could do nothing (see Num 14:42-45 q; Josh 7:10-12 r). 17:9 s Joshua was Moses’ trusted assistant (33:11 t) who would eventually become his successor (Deut 31:7-8 u). This early experience was important training for leading the people later in the conquest of the land. The Hebrew name Joshua, which means “savior,” is equivalent to the Greek name Jesus (see also study note on Heb 4:8).
Summary for Exod 17:14-16: 17:14-16 v By their unprovoked attack on the people through whom God was extending his blessing, the Amalekites incurred the unending wrath of God. God’s hand can be extended in blessing, or it can be extended in curse. Those who reject the hand of blessing experience the curse (see 1 Sam 15 w).
17:15 x This banner was a battle flag. In Isa 5:26 y, God lifted up a banner to call the nations to war against Israel. In Isa 11:10 z, 12 aa, the Messiah would be the banner calling the nations to bring his people home.
17:16 ab They have raised their fist against the Lord’s throne, so now: The NLT sees the fist raised against the Lord’s throne as Amalek’s aggression against the Lord and his people. The alternate interpretation sees a reference to Moses’ own hands that were lifted to the Lord in prayer (17:15 ac).
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