Exodus 17:2

French (BFC) 1997 (Bible en Français Courant)

de sorte qu'ils cherchèrent querelle à Moïse et dirent: «Donnez-nous de l'eau à boire!» Moïse leur demanda: «Pourquoi me cherchez-vous querelle? Et pourquoi mettez-vous ainsi le Seigneur à l'épreuve?»

What Does This Mean?

In Exodus 17:2, the Israelites are complaining to Moses about not having water to drink. Moses responds by questioning why they are complaining to him and why they are testing God.

Explained for Children

Imagine you're on a long car trip and you get thirsty. You ask your mom for a drink, but she reminds you that you should have brought your own water bottle. Moses is like your mom, reminding the people that they need to trust God, just like you need to trust your parents to help you.

Historical Background

This verse is part of the Book of Exodus, written by Moses around 1446-1406 BCE. It details the Israelites' journey through the wilderness after their exodus from Egypt. The Israelites were dealing with scarcity and challenges, testing their faith in God and Moses' leadership.

Living It Out Today

In a modern scenario, if you're in a tough situation at work and you're blaming your manager for not providing resources, remember to ask yourself if you're testing the support system you have. Just like the Israelites needed to trust Moses and God, you might need to trust your team and the resources available.

Topics

• trust
• leadership
• faith
• complaints
• provision
• testing

Related Verses

• Numbers 20:2-13
• Psalm 105:41
• 1 Corinthians 10:4
• Deuteronomy 8:15
• Exodus 15:22-26

Frequently Asked Questions

Why were the Israelites complaining about water?

The Israelites were complaining about water because they were thirsty and in a harsh desert environment, which made them doubt Moses' leadership and God's provision.

What does it mean to 'tempt the LORD'?

To 'tempt the LORD' means to challenge God's power and provision, often by questioning or doubting His ability to care for His people.

What can we learn about leadership from Moses' response?

Moses' response teaches us that leaders should remind their followers to trust in God and not to blame human leadership for challenges that test faith.

How does this verse relate to trust?

This verse highlights the importance of trust in God and leaders, showing that complaints can be a sign of lacking trust in divine provision and guidance.