ExodusChapter 17
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1The whole community of Israel left the Desert of Sin. They moved from place to place as the LORD commanded. They camped at Rephidim. But there was no water there for the people to drink. 2So the people argued with Moses. They said, "Give us water to drink." Moses replied, "Why are you arguing with me? Why are you testing the LORD?" 3But the people were thirsty for water there. They complained against Moses. They said, "Why did you bring us out of Egypt? Was it to make us and our children and our animals die of thirst?" 4Then Moses cried out to the LORD, "What should I do with these people? They are almost ready to stone me!" 5The LORD said to Moses, "Walk on ahead of the people. Take some of the elders of Israel with you. Take in your hand the staff you used to strike the Nile, and go. 6Look, I will stand there in front of you by the rock at Horeb. Strike the rock, and water will come out of it for the people to drink." So Moses did this while the elders of Israel watched. 7He named the place Massah and Meribah. He named it this because the Israelites argued. They also tested the LORD by saying, "Is the LORD with us or not?"a 8After this, the Amalekites came and attacked the Israelites at Rephidim. 9So Moses said to Joshua, "Choose some of our men. Go out and fight the Amalekites. Tomorrow I will stand on top of the hill with the staff of God in my hand." 10Joshua did what Moses told him and fought the Amalekites. Meanwhile, Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill. 11As long as Moses held up his hands, Israel was winning. But when he lowered them, Amalek was winning. 12Moses' hands grew tired. So they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat on it. Aaron and Hur held his hands up, one on each side. So his hands stayed steady until the sun went down. 13So Joshua beat Amalek and his army with the sword. 14Then the LORD said to Moses, "Write this on a scroll so it will be remembered. And read it aloud to Joshua, because I will completely wipe out the memory of Amalek from under heaven." 15Moses built an altar. He named it The LORD Is My Banner. 16He said, "A hand was lifted up toward the throne of the LORD. The LORD will be at war with Amalek from generation to generation."b