Exodus 17:4
And Moses cried vnto the Lord, saying, What shall I doe vnto this people? They be almost ready to stone me. Exodus 17:4 (KJV)
Historical Context:
This episode occurs during the Israelites’ wanderings in the wilderness after their deliverance from Egypt and the crossing of the Red Sea. Having recently received God’s miraculous provision of manna and quail (Exodus 16), the people now faced the acute shortage of water, a problem that had already been highlighted at Marah (Exodus 15:23‑24). Their journey through the desert was marked by repeated complaints and a growing sense of frustration toward their leaders, Moses and Aaron.
Moses’ Situation:
In Exodus 17 the people complained to Moses about the lack of drinking water and expressed great anger, even threatening to stone him. The tension was so intense that Moses turned to the LORD for direction, crying out, “What shall I do unto this people?”
Moses’ Request for Guidance:
Moses sought the Lord’s wisdom on how to meet the people’s desperate need and how to diffuse the volatile atmosphere. He recognized his own inability to provide water and therefore appealed to God for a specific instruction.
Moses’ Faith and Trust:
By crying out to the LORD, Moses demonstrated his reliance on divine provision. He trusted that God, the ultimate source of help, would supply a solution even when human resources failed. This act of faith underscored his leadership and his willingness to submit to God’s plan.
God’s Response:
The biblical narrative records that God spoke directly to Moses, giving him a clear command: “Behold, I will stand before thee there upon the rock at Horeb; and thou shalt smite the rock, and the water shall come out of it.” (Exodus 17:6‑7). By striking the rock at Horeb with his staff, water miraculously flowed, satisfying the people’s thirst and confirming God’s continued care for Israel. The study’s earlier quotation of a command to “take of the tree… cast it into the waters” does not appear verbatim in Scripture; the authentic instruction is the striking of the rock, which produced sweet water for the community.
God’s provision in this episode not only met an immediate physical need but also revealed His power, faithfulness, and willingness to intervene on behalf of a people who, despite their complaints, were still under His covenantal care.
