Exodus 17:4

And Moses cried unto the LORD, saying, What shall I do unto this people? they be almost ready to stone me.

And Moses {H4872} cried {H6817} unto the LORD {H3068}, saying {H559}, What shall I do {H6213} unto this people {H5971}? they be almost {H4592} ready to stone {H5619} me.

Moshe cried out to ADONAI, "What am I to do with these people? They're ready to stone me!"

Then Moses cried out to the LORD, “What should I do with these people? A little more and they will stone me!”

And Moses cried unto Jehovah, saying, What shall I do unto this people? they are almost ready to stone me.

Commentary

Context

Exodus 17:4 captures a moment of extreme tension during the Israelites' journey through the wilderness. Having recently experienced the miraculous parting of the Red Sea and the provision of manna, the people arrived at Rephidim only to find no water. This critical shortage ignited their deep-seated fears and frustrations, leading to bitter complaints and direct confrontation with Moses. Their anger escalated to the point of threatening Moses' life, illustrating the immense pressure and danger faced by the leader of a vast, often rebellious, multitude in a harsh environment.

Key Themes

  • Human Impatience and Unbelief: Despite God's consistent provision and miraculous interventions, the Israelites quickly reverted to doubt and complaint when faced with a new challenge. Their immediate reaction was to accuse Moses and, by extension, God, rather than to trust in divine care.
  • The Burden of Leadership: Moses' desperate cry reveals the profound isolation and immense pressure of his leadership role. He was caught between a demanding, rebellious people and the will of God, facing a direct threat of violence for circumstances beyond his control. This verse highlights the heavy responsibility and personal cost of leading God's people.
  • Divine Intervention in Crisis: Moses' appeal to the LORD is a testament to his reliance on God in impossible situations. God's swift response, providing water from the rock, underscores His faithfulness and readiness to provide for His people, even when they are undeserving. This miraculous provision is later seen by Paul as a type of Christ, the spiritual Rock.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "almost ready to stone me" (Hebrew: kā·māl·lîm lir·gōm) vividly conveys the imminent danger Moses faced. The verb "stone" (rāgam) denotes a form of capital punishment in ancient Israel, indicating the severity of the people's wrath and their readiness to take violent action. Moses' question, "What shall I do unto this people?", is not a question of moral dilemma but a desperate plea for divine strategy and intervention, acknowledging his human powerlessness against such a hostile and mutinous mob.

Related Scriptures

  • Moses' recurring role as an intercessor for a rebellious people is a significant theme throughout Exodus and Numbers. Compare this plea with his fervent intercession after the golden calf incident in Exodus 32:11-14.
  • The Israelites' pattern of grumbling and testing God's patience is a consistent challenge in the wilderness narrative. See similar complaints about food in Numbers 11:1-6.
  • The incident at Massah and Meribah (Exodus 17:7), which immediately follows this verse, is later referenced in the Psalms and New Testament as a solemn warning against hardening one's heart and testing God, as seen in Psalm 95:8-9 and Hebrews 3:8-9.

Practical Application

Exodus 17:4 offers enduring lessons for believers today:

  • Cry Out to God in Desperation: When faced with overwhelming circumstances, hostility, or personal danger, our first and most effective response should be to turn to God in prayer. Moses' example teaches us to acknowledge our limitations and lean entirely on divine wisdom and power.
  • Trust God's Provision: Even when situations seem impossible or people around us are faithless, God remains faithful to His promises. This passage reassures us that God will supply all our needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
  • Empathy for Leaders: The verse reminds us to pray for and support those in leadership, recognizing the immense burdens and criticisms they often face, especially in spiritual capacities.
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Cross-References

  • 1 Samuel 30:6

    And David was greatly distressed; for the people spake of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters: but David encouraged himself in the LORD his God.

  • Numbers 14:10

    But all the congregation bade stone them with stones. And the glory of the LORD appeared in the tabernacle of the congregation before all the children of Israel.

  • John 8:59

    Then took they up stones to cast at him: but Jesus hid himself, and went out of the temple, going through the midst of them, and so passed by.

  • Acts 14:19

    ¶ And there came thither [certain] Jews from Antioch and Iconium, who persuaded the people, and, having stoned Paul, drew [him] out of the city, supposing he had been dead.

  • John 10:31

    Then the Jews took up stones again to stone him.

  • Numbers 16:19

    And Korah gathered all the congregation against them unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation: and the glory of the LORD appeared unto all the congregation.

  • Numbers 11:11

    And Moses said unto the LORD, Wherefore hast thou afflicted thy servant? and wherefore have I not found favour in thy sight, that thou layest the burden of all this people upon me?
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