HOME | SCRIPTURE INDEX | MOVIE INDEX | ART INDEX | SEARCH | ABOUT | MOBILE | ADVERTISE | SUPPORT | BLOG | CONTACT

Exodus 17:1-7
With thanks to page sponsor, 2014:
Rev. Lisa M. Hufford
Faith Lutheran Church, Arlington, VA

• Reading the Text:
  • NRSV (with link to Anglicized NRSV) at Oremus Bible Browser.
  • Hebrew Interlinear Bible, WLCv, WLC5, CHES, AV.
  • The Bible Gateway: NRSV, RSV, NIV, NASB, CEV, The Message, KJV, etc.
  • The Blue Letter Bible. KJV, alternate versions, Hebrew text with concordance, commentaries.
  • The World Wide Study Bible includes commentary, exposition and sermons.
  • Shemot 17: Massoretic, Hebrew, Aramaic, JPS.
• Historical References, Commentary and Comparative Texts:
  • Navigating the Bible: Text/Rabbinic commentary and Divrei Torah.
  • Rashi's Commentary, c. 1075. chabad.org.
  • II.2, Paedagogus, Clement of Alexandria (c 200)
  • VII.21, Ecclesiastical History, Eusebius of Caesarea (c 320).
  • From the Geneva Notes.
    • "How ready the people are to slay the true prophets for their own purposes and how slow they are to take up God's cause against his enemies and false prophets."
  • From Matthew Henry's Commentary.
    • "The water flowed from the rock in streams to refresh the wilderness, and attended them on their way towards Canaan; and this water flows from Christ, through the ordinances, in the barren wilderness of this world, to refresh our souls, until we come to glory."
  • From Wesley's Notes.
    • "Let this direct us to live in a dependance...upon God's providence even in the greatest straits and difficulties."
  • From the Commentary on the Whole Bible (Jamieson, Fausset and Brown, 1871).
    • "The cloud rested on a particular rock, just as the star rested on the house where the infant Saviour was lodged (Mt 2:9)."
• Contemporary References, Commentary and Comparative Texts:
  • Commentary, Exodus 17:1-7, Anathea Portier-Young, Preaching This Week, WorkingPreacher.org, 2017.
    • "What proof and signs can persuade a thirsting, frightened people that God is with them and leads them in the wilderness?"
  • The Center for Excellence in Preaching, resources from Calvin Theological Seminary: Comments & Observations, Textual Points, Illustration Ideas, 2017.
  • Pulpit Fiction, plus podcast. Reflections of lectionary text, pop culture, current events, etc. Robb Mc Coy and Eric Fistler, 2017.
  • Commentary, Exodus 17:1-7, Callie Plunket=Brewton, Preaching This Week, WorkingPreacher.org, 2014.
    • "The people's quarreling and testing is born of a stressful environment, and we would do well as preachers to be as compassionate in our treatment of the people's plight as God is depicted as being."
  • "The Politics of Water," Timothy F. Simpson, Political Theology Today, 2014.
    • "Following Yahweh in the wilderness, however is not the life of the salon or the drawing room, sipping from fine china. It is a hard-scrabble, risky existence whose practitioners have to drink directly from the rock."
  • "God in the Dock," guest essay by Debie Thomas in Dan Clendenin's, Journey with Jesus, 2014.
    • "Moses named the watering rock 'Meribah,' and 'Massah.' Not, 'the source of abundant water' or 'the rock where the Lord provided,' but a place of trial, contention, and strife."
  • Pulpit Fiction, plus podcast. Reflections of lectionary text, pop culture, current events, etc. Robb Mc Coy and Eric Fistler, 2014.
  • "Well...Is YHWH with us or Not?" John C. Holbert, Opening the Old Testament, 2014.
    • "It turns out that the greatest trial for the Israelites is not unlike our greatest 21st century trial: just how can we finally know if God is with us or not?"
  • Commentary, Exodus 17:1-7 (Pentecost +15A), Amy Erickson, Preaching This Week, WorkingPreacher.org, 2011.
    • "The mutual testing in the wilderness yields a people with a uniquely articulated faith, along with a unique, fundamentally counter-cultural god, both of whom have inspired countless generations of people to follow them."
  • Commentary, Exodus 17:1-7 (Pentecost 20), Nancy deClaissé-Walford, Preaching This Week, WorkingPreacher.org, 2008.
    • "Exodus 17 records the fourth occurrence of 'complaining' by the Israelites in the early days after the exodus from Egypt."
  • Commentary, Exodus 17:1-7 (Lent 3A), Juliana Claassens, Preaching This Week, WorkingPreacher.org, 2014.
    • "In the biblical traditions, the wilderness is a space of depravity where people's most basic needs are lacking."
  • "The Continual Need for a Sign," John C. Holbert, Opening the Old Testament, 2014.
    • "We are all in the desert of Sin with this question on our lips: is YHWH near us or not?"
  • Commentary, Exodus 17:1-7 (Lent 3A), David G. Garber, Preaching This Week, WorkingPreacher.org, 2011.
    • "Perhaps when we pay attention to the character of Moses and God's response to the situation, the text has more to say to leaders of communities of faith than it does to the members of those communities."
  • Commentary, (Lent 3A), Background, Insights from Literary Structure, Theological Message, Ways to Present the Text. Anna Grant-Henderson, Uniting Church in Australia.
    • "The murmuring of the people displays a very human trait by which the people appear ungrateful for their rescue by God from slavery."
  • Exodus 17:1-7, (Lent 3) Studies on Old Testament texts from Series A, Ralph W. Klein, Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago.
  • Exodus 17:1-7, Lent 3: Comments (commentary) and Clippings (technical notes for in-depth study), Chris Haslam, Anglican Diocese of Montreal.
  • Is God With Us or Not?, Reflections on Exodus 17:1-7, John C. Holbert, Patheos, 2011.
    • "The stories of Israel in the desert are profoundly theological, asking their successors, and us, just how do we know whether YHWH is with us or not?"
  • The Old Testament Readings (Lent 3A): Weekly Comments on the Revised Common Lectionary, Theological Hall of the Uniting Church, Melbourne, Australia.
    • "The Old Testament text for the day accords well with the gospel reading of the Samaritan woman at the well."
  • Environmental/earth-centered reflections, Nan Stokes. From the Episcopal Diocese of Minnesota Environmental Stewardship Commission. (This reflection is specific to Lent 3A.)
    • "Now we think about Jesus going into the desert and being tempted there -- a dry and thirsty place."
  • "'Testing' and 'Contention'," (Lent 3) Larry Broding's Word-Sunday.Com: A Lectionary Resource for Catholics.
    • "The grumbling of the people in Exodus 17:3-7 reflected their general attitude."
  • Commentary, Exodus 17:1-7 (Lent 3), Rolf Jacobson, Preaching This Week, WorkingPreacher.org, 2008.
    • "This elegant story is, first and foremost, a dual commentary on human nature and divine character."
  • Exodus 17:1-7, Proper 26A: Comments (commentary) and Clippings (technical notes for in-depth study), Chris Haslam, Anglican Diocese of Montreal.
  • Parshah Beshalach, text, commentary, stories, sermons & articles from Chassidic Masters and others, from Chabad Lubavitch.
  • An Exegetical Commentary of the Common Lectionary: Exodus 17:1-7. Rough Translation, Disposition, Immediate Context, Broader Context, Hermeneutical Bridge and Contemporary Address. Project directed by John Alsup from the Biblical Department of Austin Theological Seminary.
    • "In this book, Israel becomes a people, distinctively a people in covenant with their God. Here, they become primarily a theologically oriented people and secondarily a politically organized people."
  • Parshas Beshalach, Divrei Torah from The Project Genesis Torah Study. Index to numerous Orthodox articles and studies on 13:17 - 17:16.
  • Parshat Beshalach, articles and commentary by the Jewish Community of Atlanta, at The Torah From Dixie.
  • Commentary, Exodus 17:1-7 (Pentecost 20), Nancy deClaissé-Walford, Preaching This Week, WorkingPreacher.org, 2008.
    • "Exodus 17 records the fourth occurrence of 'complaining' by the Israelites in the early days after the exodus from Egypt."
  • The Wadi of Feiran. Picture and map of location.
    • "It was here, according to locals, scholars, and legend, that Moses struck a rock with his staff, bringing forth a spring so his people could drink."
• Recommended articles from ATLAS, an online collection of religion and theology journals, are linked below. ATLAS Access options are available for academic institutions, alumni of selected theological schools, and clergy/church offices.Annotated list of "starting place" articles at ATLAS for this week's texts (includes direct links).
  • Bloomer, Nancy, "Starting Over," The Living Pulpit, 2005.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Coats, George W., "An Exposition for the Wilderness Traditions," Vetus Testamentum, 1972.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Coats, George W., "The Wilderness Itinerary," Catholic Biblical Quarterly, 1972.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Woudstra, Marten H., "Calvin Interprets What 'Moses Reports': Observations on Calvin's Commentary on Exodus 1-19," Calvin Theological Journal, 1986.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
• Sermons:
  • "Is the Lord with Us or Not?" Sarah Jackson Shelton, Day 1, 2014.
  • "Is the Lord Among Us Or Not?" the Rev. Dr. James C. Howell, 2011.
  • "Is God Here Or Not?" the Rev. Alex Joiner, Day 1, 1996.
• With Children:
  • Worshiping with Children, Lent 3, Including children in the congregation's worship, using the Revised Common Lectionary, Carolyn C. Brown, 2014. 2011.
  • "Storypath Lectionary Links: Connecting Children's Literature with our Faith Story," March 23, 2014, Union Presbyterian Seminary. Connections: Exodus 17:1-7 and Animal Strikes at the Zoo, It's True! by Karma Wilson, Romans 5:1-11 and Odd Velvet by Mary E. Whitcomb, John 4:5-24 and Rainbow Rish to the Rescue by Marcus Pfister. 2011.
  • "Wandering in the Wilderness," "Water from the Rock," Illustrating the Story (lessons, children's sermons), coloring pages, activity sheets, crafts, children's songs. MSSS Crafts.
  • "Moses Meets Face-to-Face with Pharaoh and the Lord," Sunday School Lessons: Family Bible Study, art projects, music, stories, etc.
  • "Water from the Rock," children's study, puzzles, coloring sheet, etc. Higher Praise Christian Center.
  • Water from a Rock Word Search, sermons4kids.com.
• Drama:
  • "Thirsty!" Michele Pitman, dramatix.
• Graphics & Bulletin Materials:
  • Clip Art, Exodus 17:6, Fr. Richard Lonsdale, Resources for Catholic Educators.
  • Clip Art, Julius Schnoor von Carolsfeld woodcuts, World Mission Collection, Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod.
  • Exodus 17:1-7, Scripture Pics - graphics relating to RCL texts, Matt Baker, Germantown UMC, Ohio.
• Hymns and Music:
  • Hymnary.org, hymns, scores, media, information.
  • Contemporary/Praise Song suggestions, Together to Celebrate, David MacGregor.
  • The Billabong, by Rev Jeff Shrowder, Uniting Church in Australia: scroll down for hymn suggestions.
  • Hymn selections (United Methodist) and more from Hymnsite.com.
  • At Oremus Hymnal:
    • As pants the hart for cooling streams
    • Father, hear the prayer we offer
    • Glorious things of thee are spoken
    • Guide me, O thou great Jehovah
    • Lord, enthroned in heavenly splendor
    • Praise the Lord, ye heavens, adore him
    • Rock of ages, cleft for me
    • Tell out, my soul, the greatness of the Lord
• Fine Arts Images Linked at The Text This Week's Art Index:
  • Water from the Rock
• Movies scenes with the following themes, listed at The Text This Week's Movie Concordance:
  • Moses/Exodus
• Study Links and Resources for the Book of Exodus

• INDEX BY SCRIPTURE
• PODCASTS
• NARRATIVE LECTIONARY RESOURCES
• DAILY LECTIONARY RESOURCES
• FESTIVALS/SPECIAL DAYS (includes Creation)
• FOR USE IN TIMES OF VIOLENCE
• PEACE RESOURCES
• FOR USE IN TIMES OF NATURAL DISASTER

• Year C
• Maundy Thurs Apr 14
• Good Friday Apr 15
• Easter Day Apr 17
• Easter 2 Apr 24
• Easter 3 May 1
• Easter 4 May 8
• Easter 5 May 15
• Easter 6 May 22
• Ascension May 26
• Easter 7 May 29
• Pentecost June 5
  

• Calendars
• YEAR A
• YEAR B
• YEAR C

©1997-2020, Jenee Woodard