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should do, for the people were ready to stone him. The Lord bade him
go smite the rock with the rod of God. The cloud of his glory rested
directly before the rock. “He clave the rock in the wilderness, and gave
them drink as out of the great depths. He brought streams also out of
the rock, and caused waters to run down like rivers.” Moses smote the
rock, but it was Christ who stood by him, and caused the water to flow
from the flinty rock. The people tempted the Lord in their thirst, and
said, If God has brought us out here, why does he not give us water
as well as bread. That if showed criminal unbelief, and made Moses
afraid that God would punish them for their wicked murmurings. The
Lord tested the faith of his people, but they did not endure the trial.
They murmured for food, and for water, and complained of Moses.
Because of their unbelief, God suffered their enemies to make war
with them, that he might manifest to his people from whence cometh
their strength.
“Then came Amalek, and fought with Israel in Rephidim. And
Moses said unto Joshua, Choose us out men, and go out, fight with
Amalek. Tomorrow I will stand on the top of the hill with the rod
of God in mine hand. So Joshua did as Moses had said to him, and
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fought with Amalek. And Moses, Aaron, and Hur, went up to the top
of the hill. And it came to pass, when Moses held up his hand, that
Israel prevailed; and when he let down his hand Amalek prevailed.
But Moses’ hands were heavy; and they took a stone, and put it under
him, and he sat thereon; and Aaron and Hur staid up his hands, the one
on the one side, and the other on the other side; and his hands were
steady until the going down of the sun.”
Moses held up his hands toward Heaven, with the rod of God in
his right hand, entreating help from God. Then Israel prevailed, and
drove back their enemies. When Moses let down his hands it was seen
that Israel soon lost all that they had gained, and were being overcome
by their enemies. Moses again held up his hands toward Heaven, and
Israel prevailed, and the enemy was driven back.
This act of Moses, reaching up his hands toward God, was to teach
Israel that while they made God their trust, and laid hold upon his
strength, and exalted his throne, he would fight for them, and subdue
their enemies. But when they should let go their hold upon his strength,
and should trust to their own power, they would be even weaker than
their enemies, who had not the knowledge of God, and their enemies