Why Do You Tempt the Lord? (Exod 17:1-7)
Speaker: Pr Joshua Yong
Date: 08 Jan 2023

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Haw Yew Nyen


To tempt may carry with it the attitude of seeking, or humility. Or it may involve suspicion, or doubt. In Exodus 17:1-7, the children of Israel “tempted the LORD” (Exod 17:7) when they could not find any water to drink in Rephidim (Exod 17:1). This was despite having witnessed and experienced the presence of God in the form of the pillars of fire and cloud, and the power of God in turning the bitter water sweet in Marah (Exod 15:22-27) and His provision of manna to feed them in the wilderness since their exodus from Egypt. Three things we can learn regarding tempting the Lord:

  1. The manner of tempting God (Exod 17:1-3)

This is the second time when the children of Israel did not have water to drink. The first time in Marah, they murmured against Moses (Exod 15:24). This second time, they “did chide with Moses” (Exod 17:2). To “chide” with Moses is to be discontented with God as Moses represented the authority of God. The children of Israel were unhappy and demanded that God gave them water. Their attitude is one of self-entitlement and stubbornness, with hardness of heart which caused them to demand to be served, rather than to serve God. Do we as Christians exhibit this same attitude when things do not go our way or when we face trials? Christians must not have this attitude and think that God needs to earn our respect and trust. God does not need to prove anything to us because He is the Almighty God who created all things and we are but one of His creations. We must honour and obey Him and count it a privilege to be able to serve Him.

  1. The response to tempting God (Exod 17:4)

Moses also experienced the same hunger and thirst as the children of Israel. When the people “murmured against Moses” (Exod 17:3), he cried to the LORD (Exod 17:4). Moses showed his humility by committing his needs to God. He trusted God to help him in his troubles. Instead of tempting God, our response to difficult situations must be to run to God in prayer and seek His help and deliverance.

  1. The answer from God after tempting God (Exod 17:5-7)

God answered Moses’ prayer by providing water for the children of Israel through the rock. The rock is the manifestation of the presence of Christ (1 Cor 10:3-4). The reassurance of God’s presence and His mercy will help us to submit to Him at all times. It is through experiencing God’s power and deliverance that our faith in Him can increase.

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