Shadowland: Redemption: Week 16

The Rock that followed them: Exodus 17

• 17:1 "by the commandment of the LORD" - As the Spirit drove Jesus into the wilderness for 40 days, so Israel was in this place of no water by the express will of God.
• 17:3 The people still see Moses, not God, as their provider.
• 17:4 Moses takes it to God, rather than answering the complaints. In this, Moses typifies Christ, who being reviled, reviled not again. 1 Peter 2:23
• 17:6 "Smite the rock" - the rock must be smitten with the rod of judgement to bring forth water. So must Christ be smitten of God and afflicted to bring forth salvation, Isaiah 53:4. In Numbers 20, the new generation faces the same test, and fails just as miserably - but the rock is an "elevated rock", and is not to be struck. This rock speaks of the resurrected Christ who can never die again, but is high and lifted up.
• 17:7 "Is the LORD among us or not?" - as they stand under the cloud of His presence.
• 17:8 As soon as the water is poured forth, the Amalekites attack. The flesh wars against the Spirit as soon as it is given. Galatians 5:17
• 17:11 "As Moses lifted up his hands, the Israelites prevailed" - So ought we to lift up holy hands in prayer, 1 Timothy 2:8. "But when he lowered his hands, the Amalekites prevailed" - So ought men always to pray and not to faint. Luke 18:1
• 17:12 "Aaron and Hur supported his hands" - we have divine help, Aaron, the head of the priesthood, and Hur, whose name means "light". For the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us. Romans 8:26
• 17:13 "Joshua discomfitted Amalek with the edge of the sword" - Amalek was not completely destroyed at this time, and the flesh will not be completely rooted out until we are glorified. The sword speaks of the Word of God, which is our weapon against the attacks of the flesh. Hebrews 4:12
• 17:14 "I will completely blot out the name of Amelek" - so the sinful nature will be completely removed. Philippians 3:21