1. Tested Again- Verse 1
God does not tempt us to sin (James 1:13), but He most certainly tests our faith. Several thoughts here are worth consideration:
a. When we are conscious of having obeyed God let us not get off our guard. We tend to become lax, forgetting that God promises grace and help, not an absence of trial. The sinless Son of God was led into trials (Matthew 4:1) and we are called to follow Him. b. Our Heavenly Father never leaves us without something to pray about. The entire Christian sojourn is one of faith.

2. Moses Under Fire - Verses 2-3
Israel's repeated unbelief would be shocking did we not know our own hearts. Moses again reminds the people that their murmurings are really against God (Deuteronomy 6:16). Men have great difficulty in being honest with themselves.

3. The Refuge Of The Righteous - Verse 4
Prayer is the real refuge of God's people (Psalm 50:15). Moses had learned meekness over the years. He did not strike out at the people or flee in fear. God was his recourse and resource.

4. A New Type Of Christ - Verses 5-6
Once again God provided for Israel in a supernatural manner. Even more wonderful is the fact that while the Lord provided relief for Israel's thirst, He was providing food for our souls. This incident gives another great type of Christ. How often Israel received these symbolic manifestations of the Saviour.
a. The Symbols Identified- In order to understand the typology we must get the correct symbolism. Fortunately this is not difficult.
(1) The rock is a type of Jesus Christ (I Corinthians 10:4).
(2) The rod was a symbol of God's power, authority, and judgment. This is seen repeatedly in the first sixteen chapters of Exodus.
(3) Moses symbolized the holy law of God.
b. The Typology Expounded
(1) The rock had to be smitten. How clearly this reminds us that Christ Jesus could only save us by suffering in our behalf (Isaiah 53:4-5).
(2) The rock was smitten by Moses. Sin is a transgression of the law (I John 3:4) and death is its penalty (Romans 6:23). Christ was born under the law (Galatians 4:4), honored its precepts with a sinless life (Hebrews 7:26) and then took our place on Calvary. The curse of the law rested upon Christ (Galatians 3:13) because He bore our sins on the tree (I Peter 2:24). All this is typified in the smiting of the rock by the lawgiver of Israel.
(3) The rock was smitten with the rod of Divine power and judgment. As Christ suffered for us on Calvary it was the just wrath of the Father toward sin that fell on Him (Isaiah 53, Zechariah 13:7).
(4) The rock was smitten with the elders of Israel acting as witnesses. In like manner the death and resurrection of Christ was verified by abundant witnesses (Acts 26:26, I Corinthians 15:3-8).
(5) The smiting of the rock supplied Israel with a stream of life-sustaining water (Psalm 78:15-16). Only because Christ died does He become the water of life for us (John 7:37-39). In every way He is superior to the empty pleasures and promises of this life (John 4:13-14). Today the thirst are still invited to come for this life-giving water (Revelation 22:7).
(6) The rock followed Israel through the wilderness (I Corinthians 10:4). The exact meaning of this expression has been much debated. Did the rock literally follow them or was it the stream of water? It would seem sufficient to understand that the spiritual presence of Christ followed them through their wanderings. Even today we rest in the promise that the Saviour who sustains us will never leave us (Hebrews 13:5).
(7) The rock was never to be smitten again. Christ died for our sins once and this was sufficient (Romans 6:9-10, Hebrews 9:26). When Moses later smote the rock again he was severely punished for thus spoiling the type (Numbers 20:2-13). What must God think of the teaching that Christ is sacrificed over and over in the Roman Catholic Mass. There was a great finality in the cross. If you need salvation, speak to the Rock (Numbers 20:7-8, Romans 10:13).

5. Sins Blot - Verse 7
Massah means "temptation" and Meribah means "chiding." The place stood as a reminder of Israel's unbelief. How could they question God’s presence in the very shadow of the pillar? May we leave a better record for the future generations.

6. "Then Came Amalek" - Verse 8
In Deuteronomy 25:17-18 we are given the details of this unprovoked attack on Israel. This was their first battle. We see God's feelings toward Amalek in Deuteronomy 25:18-19. He became their constant enemy (Exodus 17:16) and eventually destroyed them (Numbers 24:20).
Amalek was a descendant of Esau (Genesis 36:1, 12, 16). The name means "war-like." God hated Amalek because of their treatment of Israel and because they feared Him not (Deuteronomy 25:18). They attacked Israel in sight of the Pillar.
The Lord did not want Israel to forget that Amalek was their enemy (Deuteronomy 25:19). Ironically it was an Amalekite that eventually killed Saul (II Samuel 1:1-8). He had failed to fully carry out the judgment of God upon them (I Samuel 15:1-23).
We have given this background information so that we can better understand the spiritual lessons of this battle. Most Bible teachers see in Amalek a type of the Christian's warfare with the flesh. This is why Amalek’s attack followed the miraculous supplying of Israel with water. No one experiences this warfare until they receive Christ.
Only as new creatures in Christ Jesus do we feel the power of our old nature (Galatians 5:17, I Peter 2:11, Romans 7:14-25, Romans 8:10). Just as Joshua did not destroy Amalek so we will never eradicate the power of sin in our flesh during our earthly sojourn. We are however to mortify the flesh and fight an unrelenting battle against the remnants of sin in our nature. No mercy is to be shown to the enemy (I Corinthians 9:27). Those saints who become weak and distant from Christ are in the most danger (Deuteronomy 25:17-18, Matthew 26:4). Let us battle until Christ comes to give us complete victory (Philippians 3:21, Romans 7:24-25).

7. The Power Behind The Christian Warfare - Verses 9-13
This scene lays before us a wonderful picture of intercessory prayer. Herein is the true method of victory in spiritual warfare. The lifting up of Moses' hands is clearly meant to typify prayer (Psalm 28:2, I Timothy 2:8). Consider now some of the lessons found here:
a. True prayer does not do away with the need for Christian labor (Verse 9). We cannot pray for victories in a warfare we do not fight nor for blessings upon labor we do not perform.
b. God's warriors need prayer (Ephesians 6:18-19). Why is it that churches lose ground and Christian lives are marred by the flesh? Is not it a failure to pray on the part of God's people?
c. Prayer is hard work (verse 12). How easy it is to grow weary in prayer. Real prayer is the first duty we cease from when we stray from God.
d. We need to uphold each other in prayer. The best of men grow weary. Fellowship and encouragement are necessary. We may not be able to do what another can but we may hold up their hands.

8. A Memorial - Verse 14
Let us make an effort to see that God's great works are not forgotten.

9. Israel's Banner - Verses 15-16
Jehovah Nissi means "Jehovah is our Banner." The name was another of the "Jehovah" titles. How important it is to put the crown on the right head. Neither Moses nor Joshua would take credit for the victory. It must go to the eternal and self-existent God of Israel. His name was their standard. In all this there are lessons for us:
a. May we always give God the glory for each victory (I Samuel 7:12).
b. Let us never be ashamed to unfurl our banner and publicly proclaim God as our helper and strength (Psalm 20:5-7). May Jehovah be the banner of our church.