Journey E. b. 14. And they removed from Alush, and encamped at Rephidim, where was no Water for the People to drink. REPHIDIM signifies to Relax, weaken the hands, &c. or to gird up our strength, &c. Alas! how changeable is our state while in this wilderness! How unwilling are we, like the Israelites, to be wholly dependant upon Him, who provideth every thing necessary for this life! He, who clothes the grass of the field, and who hath also said, "Take no thought what ye shall eat or what ye shall drink," for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. Moses was commanded to take his rod wherewith he smote the rock Horeb, which signifies Wasteness or Rock of Drought or Desolation; no doubt to make the wonderful display of the Almighty's power more conspicuous; for when he smote the rock the waters gushed out, and they did all drink of the same spiritual rock, which was Christ; but we read that with many of them God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness. Therefore he that thinketh he standeth must take heed lest he fall. Let us not be high-minded but fear. These things were for our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted. For God is faithful, who will not suffer us to be tempted above what we are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape. (s) It was here also that Amalek came out and fought against Israel; but Joshua, who was sent by Moses, discomfited them; for when Moses held up his hand, Israel prevailed. (s) 1 Cor. 10. 4. &c. May we then behold in this our Holy Redeemer, our ALL IN ALL, the Captain of our Salvation! He who is the Rod, the Branch, lifted up as an ensign to the Gentiles; our unwearied Intercessor at the right hand of the Majesty on High: through whom we are able to subdue all our spiritual enemies, and through whom also we are more than conquerors. Journey FEL. b. 15. And they departed from Rephidim, and pitched in the Wilderness of Sinai. SINAI, according to Parkhurst, is derived from the same as Sin, a Bush, &c. from Sena.* What miracle thus dazzles with surprise! Some visitant of pure ethereal race With his bright presence deigns the dome to grace.† * It was upon this mountain that the Lord appeared to Moses in the bush, called (Exodus, c. 3.) the Mount of Horeb it is said to be one hill with two peaks or summits, and Horeb is thought to be its ancient name, and therefore might designate the whole mountain. + Pope. It was upon this mount, that the Lord called unto Moses, saying, thus shalt thou say to the house of Jacob, and tell the Children of Israel; ye have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bare you on eagle's wings, and brought you unto myself: if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: and ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and a holy nation. How soon do we find the people answering Moses, and saying, All that the Lord hath spoken, we will do. But alas! how apt are we to be hasty in promising obedience! how backward in performing it! not considering our own weakness and inability to do any thing as we ought, without divine assistance. What a beautiful representation does the Apostle Peter apply to the above. (See 1 Pet. 2. 5, 9, 10: Rev. 20. 6.) For as the earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein; so |