Adam Clarke's Bible Commentary Verse 3. And the people murmured] The reader must not forget what has so often been noted relating to the degraded state of the minds of the Israelites. A strong argument however may be drawn from this in favour of their supernatural escape from Egypt. Had it been a scheme concerted by the heads of the people, provision would necessarily have been made for such exigencies as these. But as God chose to keep them constantly dependent upon himself for every necessary of life, and as they had Moses alone as their mediator to look to, they murmured against him when brought into straits and difficulties, regretted their having left Egypt, and expressed the strongest desire to return. This shows that they had left Egypt reluctantly; and as Moses and Aaron never appear to have any resources but those which came most evidently in a supernatural way, therefore the whole exodus or departure from Egypt proves itself to have been no human contrivance, but a measure concerted by God himself.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-7 - The children of Israel journeyed according to the commandment of the Lord, led by the pillar of cloud and fire, yet they came to a plac where there was no water for them to drink. We may be in the way of duty, yet may meet with troubles, which Providence brings us into, for the trial of our faith, and that God may be glorified in our relief They began to question whether God was with them or not. This is calle their "tempting God," which signifies distrust of him after they ha received such proofs of his power and goodness. Moses mildly answere them. It is folly to answer passion with passion; that makes bad worse God graciously appeared to help them. How wonderful the patience an forbearance of God toward provoking sinners! That he might show his power as well as his pity, and make it a miracle of mercy, he gave the water out of a rock. God can open fountains for us where we leas expect them. Those who, in this wilderness, keep to God's way, ma trust him to provide for them. Also, let this direct us to depend of Christ's grace. The apostle says, that Rock was Christ, 1Co 10:4, it was a type of him. While the curse of God might justly have bee executed upon our guilty souls, behold the Son of God is smitten for us. Let us ask and receive. There was a constant, abundant supply of this water. Numerous as believers are, the supply of the Spirit of Christ is enough for all. 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 barre wilderness of this world, to refresh our souls, until we come to glory A new name was given to the place, in remembrance, not of the mercy of their supply, but of the sin of their murmuring: "Massah," Temptation because they tempted God; "Meribah," Strife, because they chid with Moses. Sin leaves a blot upon the name.
Original Hebrew ויצמא6770 שׁם8033 העם5971 למים4325 וילן3885 העם5971 על5921 משׁה4872 ויאמר559 למה4100 זה2088 העליתנו5927 ממצרים4714 להמית4191 אתי853 ואת853 בני1121 ואת853 מקני4735 בצמא׃6772
