Journey of the Israelites (Part IV)

Lesson Content

Rephidim to Sinai

1. Rephidim: (Exo.17:1; Num.33:14) — This place was also called Massah and Meribah because the children of Israel chided and tempted the Lord here when there w as no water for them to drink. Moses had to smite the rock with his rod. The water flowed out of the rock. The power of God was revealed. The ‘rock’ speaks of Christ Who was smitten for us (I Cor.10:4). The ‘rod’ speaks of the judgment of God. It is the s ame rod with which he smote the river in order to execute the judgment of God upon the Egyptians and the waters of the river were then turned to blood (Exo.7:20). Smiting the rock with the rod therefore, speaks of Christ taking upon Himself the judgment that was to come upon us, so that we might receive life. Soon after these incidents, the Amalekites attacked the children of Israel and smote the hindmost of them, those who were feeble, faint and weary (Deut.25:17,18). About the Amalekites, the Lord said that He will have war against them from generation to generation (Exo.17:16). So even in this generation, the spirit of the Amalekites attacks us when we are faint and weary. If we murmur in times of trial as the children of Israel did, we will become weak in our spiritual life and lag behind. Three things had to be done to overcome the Amalekites:

(i) Moses had to be on the hilltop with his hands held up (Exo.17:9-11): In the church, there must be leaders who remain in the presence of God, bearing the iniquity of the church. (ii) Aaron and Hur had to hold up Moses’ hands (Exo.17:12): There must be a group of saints in the church who stand by the leaders and uphold them in prayer. (iii) Joshua had to fight the enemy with the sword (Exo.17:13): There must be those who stand by the leaders and contend for the truth once delivered unto the saints.

Only then will God be with us as our Jehovah -Nissi (Banner of Victory) (Exo.17:15).

2. Wilderness of Sinai: (Exo.19:1,2; Num.33:15) — The children of Israel came into the wilderness of Sinai and camped before the mount. They had to sanctify themselves and be ready for the third day. On the third day, the Lord came down on mount Sinai in fire and directly communed with them (Exo.19:10,11,18-20). This in the Ne w Testament is a shadow of being baptized with the Holy Ghost and with fire (Matt.3:11). God called Moses to the top of the mount, where He gave him the following:

(i) The ten commandments (ii) The pattern of the tabernacle (iii) The details of the priesthood In the New Testament:

(i) Jesus divided these ten commandments into two, namely, love towards God and love towards our neighbour (Matt.22:35-40). This love is shed abroad in our hearts through the Holy Spirit that is given to us (Rom.5:5). (ii) We become God’s tabernacle (or temple) by the Baptism of the Holy Spirit (I Cor.3:16; II Cor.6:16). (iii) We become a holy priesthood by the Baptism of the Holy Spirit, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ our Lord (I Pet.2:5; Rev.1:6).

Moral

We should not murmur amidst trials but count it all joy when we face diverse temptations. If we lag behind, the devil will destroy our spiritual life. Therefore, being anointed with the Holy Spirit, we should press forward.