All the congregation of the people of Israel moved on from the wilderness of Sin by stages, according to the commandment of the LORD, and camped at Rephidim, but there was no water for the people to drink.
1. And all the congregation. Scarcely was the sedition of the people about the want of food set at rest when they again rebel on the subject of drink. They ought, at least, to have learnt from the manna, that as often as necessity pressed upon them, they should have humbly implored in prayer and supplication God’s help, in certain hope of relief.
We may walk in the way of duty and still meet troubles; God brings us into straits to test our faith and be glorified in our relief. Their violent thirst made them outrageous, and they demanded water from Moses as a debt, forgetting that former favors ought to humble the unbelieving rather than embolden them to insist on more.
AI summary
Commenting on Exodus 17:1-7
And all the congregation of the children of Israel journeyed from the wilderness of Sin,.... Where they had stayed some time, at least a week, as it should seem, from the gathering the manna there six days, and resting on the seventh: after their journeys: first from the wilderness of Sin to Dophkah, and from Dophkah to Alusb, and from Alush to Rephidim, as appears...