Motherhood & Ministry

Water from the Rock: Exodus 17:1-7

At the opening of Exodus 17, we see the Israelites in the wilderness. God has already completed the 10 plagues, the parting of the Red Sea, and the destruction of the Egyptian army. He has given them fresh water wherever they camp, and has provided manna and quail to eat. God has given them specific instructions on gathering and keeping manna (which the Israelites don’t obey, by the way; Exodus 16:19-20, 27-28). 

In spite of every miracle, sign, and provision from the Lord, the Israelties still grumbled, disobeyed God, and questioned both God and Moses. They could not rest in the goodness and provision of God.

“The people grumbled to Moses, ‘What are we going to drink?’” – Exodus 15:24

“The entire Israelite community grumbled against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness. The Israelites said to them, ‘If only we had died by the Lord’s hand in the land of Egypt, when we sat by pots of meat and ate all the bread we wanted. Instead, you brought us into this wilderness to make this whole assembly die of hunger!’”’ – Exodus 16:2-3

Dear sisters, if Moses himself dealt with ongoing grumbling from the people, do not be surprised when you too face grumbling, even under the most positive of circumstances. Your church can be growing, the ministry flourishing, and there will still be some people who find something to grumble about. 

“So the people complained to Moses, ‘Give us water to drink.‘

‘Why are you complaining to me?’ Moses replied to them. ‘Why are you testing the Lord?’

But the people thirsted there for water and grumbled against Moses.They said, ‘Why did you ever bring us up from Egypt to kill us and our children and our livestock with thirst?’

Then Moses cried out to the Lord, ‘What should I do with these people? In a little while they will stone me!’” – Exodus 17:2-4 

Reading this passage, I am struck with feelings of desperation and exasperation that are all too familiar. I don’t know if Moses wanted to tear his hair out in frustration, but I have certainly felt that way! 

As we face grumbling, let us be quick to examine our own hearts and ensure that we have not also become the grumblers. Grumbling about the grumblers may feel cathartic in the moment, but it is not constructive, and does not sanctify our hearts or edify the church. Let us watch our own hearts and mouths foremost. 

Then we must turn to God, even if it is in desperation and exasperation, and give God the complaints and fussing of the grumblers. Only the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit can change the grumbler’s heart. No amount of discussion, chastising, or convincing from us can change a person’s heart. That is an internal work of the Holy Spirit and our best weapon is prayer. 

Moreover, when we give to God the situation and the grumbler in prayer, He begins to change our hearts. When we intentionally and thoughtfully pray for another person, God begins to open our eyes, shape our hearts, and pour His love through our lives. It is truly a supernatural work, because our hearts are not inclined to love people who oppose and discourage us. 

Pray, pray, pray. Our most powerful solution for grumbling is to pray and continue trusting the Lord’s provision ourselves. In the coming two weeks, we will revisit the life of Moses for more practical ideas to bear up under the weight of leading a ministry and shepherding God’s people. 

Motherhood & Ministry is a weekly post on Monday mornings to encourage moms who serve in vocational ministry while also serving their families.