The seventeenth chapter tells us of more complaints. There was no water, and the people said again that they had just been taken out of Egypt to be killed. What wicked hearts, tempting God again, and so soon! You see they thought about the troubles on the way, and not about the One who had engaged to bring them all the way to the better land.
The rock had to be struck with Moses’ rod, and then out of it gushed the grateful stream of water to satisfy the thirst of every one, and all their animals too. O, this story tells us again of Jesus. He had to be struck with the rod of judgment in order that we might drink of the water of life. Yes, He had to die the death of the cross for our sakes.
Next, enemies came, the Amalekites, to fight with the people, and as long as Moses’ hands were upheld the battle went for them; but when his hands sank down from weariness, the battle went for their enemies. How good it is that we can have God to fight our battles, if we only take our troubles to Him! The Amalekites were to be destroyed, and the people gather around an altar called Jehovah Nissi, The Lord my banner. Surely He was their guardian, all the way.