Exo 17:1-6 | TNotes | STEP | 17:1 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.

a17:1►

b17:2►

c17:7►

dMark 9:24►

eJohn 6:30►

f17:3►

g17:6►

hNum 20:11►

iPs 78:15-16►

j105:41►

k114:8►

lIsa 48:21►

‏ Exodus 17:1-6

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).