Tyndale Open Study NotesExodus 17

On the journey from the sea to Mount Sinai, God continued to care for the people's needs. During the events where he rescued them, he showed his power. Here, he showed that he cares about their basic needs.

from place to place: Because the group was large and included people of many ages, their travel was likely slow and difficult.

God may also have used this time to show his care for them. He provided for their needs in miraculous ways. He gave them food and water in the wilderness.

Before he brought them to Mount Sinai and offered them his covenant, he showed that he could be trusted. He cared for them even before he gave them his law.

test the LORD: This is explained in 17:7. The people doubted that God was with them. They questioned whether he cared for them. They demanded proof that he was present and would help them.

There is a kind of testing that comes from faith. A person may believe, yet still struggle with doubt (“I do believe; help my unbelief,” Mark 9:24). This is a humble request for help.

But there is also a test that comes from unbelief (“so that we may see it and believe You? What will You do?” John 6:30). They wanted proof before they would trust him.

A test based on doubt puts God on trial. It treats God as if he must prove himself to us. It places us in the position of judge and God in the position of the one being judged.

For a similar complaint, see study note on 16:3.

• Mount Sinai: See study note on 3:1.

• water will come out of it: Note the similar way God provided for the people in Numbers 20:11 (see also Psalms 78:15–16; 105:41; 114:8; Isaiah 48:21).

Israel defeated the Amalekites only because God blessed them and took care of them.

Amalek was the grandson of Esau (Genesis 36:11–12). Amalek’s descendants were a nomadic people. This means they moved from place to place instead of living in one city.

They were loosely based in the land of Edom. This means Edom was their main area, even though they traveled often. They likely supported themselves by attacking and robbing nearby settled communities.

This victory was a gift from God. The description in this passage makes that clear.

God’s blessing determined the outcome of the battle. Moses showed this by raising his hands. When his hands were lifted up, Israel prevailed.

This pattern appeared again and again when Israel entered the land of Canaan. When God blessed them, they succeeded.

But without God’s blessing, Israel could do nothing. They failed when they tried to fight on their own (see Numbers 14:42–45; Joshua 7:10–12).

Joshua was the trusted assistant of Moses (33:11). Joshua would later become his successor (Deuteronomy 31:7–8). This early experience was important training for leading the people during the conquest of the land.

The Hebrew name Joshua, which means “savior,” is equivalent to the Greek name Jesus (see also study note on Hebrews 4:8).

The Amalekites attacked Israel without cause. They attacked the people through whom God was bringing blessing to the world. Because of this, they brought God’s lasting anger on themselves.

God can stretch out his hand to bless people. He can also stretch out his hand to judge and punish. If people refuse his blessing, they experience his judgment instead (see 1 Samuel 15).

This banner served as a battle flag. In Isaiah 5:26, God raised a banner to call the nations to fight against Israel. In Isaiah 11:10, 12, the Messiah would be the banner calling nations to bring his people home.

a hand was lifted up toward the throne of the LORD: This may describe Amalek’s attack against the Lord and his people. In that sense, Amalek raised a hand in defiance against God.

Another possible meaning connects this phrase to Moses raising his hands in prayer during the battle (17:15). In this view, the lifted hand refers to Moses calling on the Lord for help.