Hello siblings
Apologies for the delayed Nougats, as I’ve been preoccupied with meetings. Names are important aspects of a person’s identity, and – in the case of places – of their culture. Some of us may argue that our names don’t carry particular significance, but even then, there was something that led to us acquiring our given (or popular) names.
In the biblical text, this is perhaps even more notable, as names are laden with histories and significant markers. This is equally the case in the Exodus narratives, which were marked by frustration and fear. It is worth noting therefore, Moses’ calm in the face of great and grave criticism. Please receive Today’s Holy Nougat.
Exodus 17:7 AFV
[7] And he called the name of the place Massah and Meribah because of the arguing of the children of Israel and because they tempted the Lord, saying, “Is the Lord among us or not?”
The Name of the Place
When we consider the most recent criticism leveled at Moses, we realize that the attitude of the people cut deeply. This time around, the place is given not one, but two names that speak to strife. How his heart must have hurt to hear his people complain so soon after experiencing the miracle of food! Ironically, though the two words refer to strife, none suggests ingratitude, which seemed to be their chief failing. Or perhaps it was a collective sense of entitlement that sprang from God’s provision at the critical points in their history.
Self-check
In what ways do our actions betray ingratitude or entitlement toward God?
Deeper Dive
While we understand the people’s situation, these place names suggest that they opted to attack a person rather than the problem. In the course of that approach, they not only attacked God’s anointed but also questioned God’s nature (albeit inadvertently). Given that Psalm 138:2 speaks to how seriously God takes promises, moreover God’s promises, it is fair to see why this repeated act would be offensive to God. It made their worship seem like a mockery.
Siblings, we must guard against such attitudes. We know God’s nature and we have God’s Spirit and the Word to guide us. Like the House of Israel, probably even more so, we are testimonies about God to the world. If our lives seem to mock God, we are inviting the world to do likewise. There is no excuse for us to doubt God. And we would rather not be guilty of seeming to mock God, knowing that we will reap whatever we sow (see Galatians 6:7).
So where does that leave us? I’d say it invites us to recognize that God honours God’s promises, and to expect God’s intervention in times of crisis.
Point to Ponder
What name would God give to our most recent attitude in a crisis? Is it possible that it would be Meribah or Massah?
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May all we seek be found in Christ
