Monday, 27th July
Rev Xi An Poon
主題經文：「摩西築了一座壇，起名叫耶和華尼西。」——出埃及記17:15
引言
以色列人離開埃及以後，神一直帶領他們走過曠野。曠野不只是從埃及前往應許之地的一段路程，更是神訓練和塑造祂百姓的地方。
以色列人在埃及生活了四百多年，長期活在充滿偶像的環境中。他們習慣憑眼睛所看見的來判斷一切；然而，耶和華是肉眼不能看見的神。因此，神要藉着曠野的旅程，幫助他們從「憑眼見」轉向「憑信心」，學習相信那位看不見、卻真實與他們同在的神。
第17章發生在以色列人抵達西奈山以前。全會眾按照耶和華的吩咐逐站前行，最後來到利非訂安營。「利非訂」帶有安歇、休息的意思，本來應該是一個可以歇息的地方；可是，他們來到以後，竟然發現那裡沒有水喝。
水是維持生命最基本的需要。百姓可能心裏想：「既然是神帶領我們來到這裡，為甚麼這裡連水都沒有？」
這一次，他們不再只是發怨言，而是進一步與摩西爭鬧，甚至幾乎要拿石頭打死他。隨後，亞瑪力人又趁他們疲乏軟弱的時候前來攻擊。以色列人不但面對裏面的爭鬧，也面對外面的爭戰。
然而，神要藉着這兩場危機，使他們明白：即使環境沒有照着自己的期望發展，神仍然在他們中間；即使仇敵前來攻擊，神仍然是帶領他們得勝的旌旗。
出埃及記第17章不只是提醒我們不要發怨言，更讓我們看見，神如何把一群在缺乏中爭鬧的百姓，帶領成為一群能夠禱告、順服、彼此扶持，並在爭戰中得勝的百姓。
今天，讓我們從三方面思想，神如何帶領我們從爭鬧走向得勝。
一、不要讓心裏的怨言變成公開的爭鬧
經文：「所以與摩西爭鬧，說：『給我們水喝吧！』摩西對他們說：『你們為甚麼與我爭鬧？為甚麼試探耶和華呢？』」——出埃及記17:2
過去，以色列人遇到困難時會發怨言；但這一次，他們不只是埋怨，而是主動與摩西爭鬧。
發怨言，可能最初只是心裏不滿，或者私下說幾句牢騷；爭鬧卻是把內心的不滿變成公開的對抗，甚至開始敵對神所設立的領袖。
這讓我們看見，怨言從來不是一件小事。
怨言最初可能只是一個念頭：「為甚麼事情會變成這樣？」後來就會變成懷疑：「神真的在帶領我嗎？」再進一步便會變成指責：「一定是別人的問題，是領袖把我帶到這個地步。」
百姓表面上是與摩西爭鬧，實際上卻是在試探耶和華。他們把看不見水，理解成神不在他們中間；又把眼前的困難，變成否定神過去一切恩典的理由。
經文說，他們質問：「耶和華是在我們中間不是？」——出埃及記17:7
他們已經看過十災，經歷逾越節，走過紅海，也吃過神從天上賜下的嗎哪；可是一次沒有水，便使他們懷疑神是否仍然同在。
我們也要小心，不要因為今天遇到一件不如意的事，就忘記神過去所有的恩典；不要因為暫時看不見出路，就懷疑神已經離開我們。
我們更要留意自己如何處理心裏的不滿。如果我們沒有把不滿帶到神面前，反而不斷在心裏重複、放大，它就會慢慢變成怨言；怨言累積下去，最後就可能變成爭鬧、指責和關係上的傷害。
生命的缺乏不代表神不在。有時候，缺乏正是神訓練我們信心的地方。問題不是我們能否立刻看見水，而是當我們還未看見供應時，是否仍然相信神在我們中間。
怨言使我們被問題控制；信心卻使我們在問題中仍然認定神的同在。
二、不要在危機中攻擊別人，要回到神面前呼求
經文：「摩西就呼求耶和華說：『我向這百姓怎樣行呢？他們幾乎要拿石頭打死我。』」——出埃及記17:4
面對百姓的爭鬧和威脅，摩西沒有與他們繼續爭辯，也沒有用自己的權柄壓制他們，而是轉向神，呼求耶和華。
百姓在危機中尋找可以責怪的人，摩西卻在危機中尋找可以倚靠的神。
這就是摩西與百姓不同的地方。
百姓把沒有水的壓力轉移到摩西身上；摩西卻沒有再把壓力轉移給其他人，而是把壓力帶到神面前。
當人把壓力帶到我們面前，我們很容易立刻反擊，證明自己沒有錯，或者尋找另一個人來承擔責任。但摩西提醒我們，真正屬靈的處理方法，不是把壓力繼續傳下去，而是把它停在神面前。
神吩咐摩西帶着以色列的幾位長老，拿着曾經擊打尼羅河的杖，前往何烈的磐石。神對摩西說：「我必在何烈的磐石那裡，站在你面前。你要擊打磐石，從磐石裏必有水流出來，使百姓可以喝。」——出埃及記17:6
摩西按照神的吩咐擊打磐石，水便流出來，使百姓可以喝。
這裡顯明神奇妙的恩典。百姓正在爭鬧和試探神，神卻仍然為他們預備水。神不是認同他們的怨言，而是在他們不配的時候，仍然以恩典供應他們。
新約告訴我們：「所喝的是出於隨着他們的靈磐石；那磐石就是基督。」——哥林多前書10:4
磐石受擊打，水便流出來；同樣，耶穌基督為我們受傷，使我們可以得着生命的活水。
當我們感到生命乾渴，不要用怨言攻擊身邊的人，因為人不能成為我們真正的水源。即使我們勝過了爭論，也不能解決內心的乾渴；只有基督能滿足生命最深的需要。
摩西的轉向也帶來了整個局面的轉變。當他不再注視百姓的威脅，而是轉向神呼求，神便向他顯明出路。
也許今天我們正面對一些無法處理的人和事。神未必首先改變環境，卻要我們先改變方向：從埋怨轉向呼求，從責怪別人轉向尋求神。
怨言只會使我們與人爭鬧；呼求卻使我們重新看見神的供應。
三、在爭戰中彼此配搭，經歷耶和華尼西
經文：「摩西何時舉手，以色列人就得勝；何時垂手，亞瑪力人就得勝。」——出埃及記17:11
以色列人剛剛經歷缺水的危機，亞瑪力人便前來攻擊他們。
申命記25:17–18補充說明，亞瑪力人趁以色列人疲乏困倦的時候，攻擊隊伍後面那些軟弱、掉隊的人，而且「並不敬畏神」。
這是以色列人離開埃及後，第一次需要親自上陣爭戰。
過紅海時，神對他們說：「只管站住，看耶和華今天向你們所要施行的救恩。」——出埃及記14:13
當時，神親自使紅海分開，以色列人只需要向前走；但到了第17章，神開始訓練他們，不只是站着觀看，更要憑着信心參與爭戰。
神為他們爭戰，不代表他們甚麼都不用做；神要他們學習在倚靠祂的同時，也順服地進入自己的位置。
在這場爭戰中，每一個人都有不同的角色。
約書亞順服摩西的吩咐，揀選人出去與亞瑪力人爭戰；摩西拿着神的杖站在山頂上，向神舉手禱告；當摩西的手發沉，亞倫和戶珥便搬來一塊石頭讓他坐下，兩個人分別扶住他的雙手，直到日落。
最後，約書亞用刀殺了亞瑪力王和他的百姓。
這場勝利不是一個人的功勞。
沒有約書亞，就沒有人在山下爭戰；沒有摩西，就沒有人在山上禱告；沒有亞倫和戶珥，摩西的雙手也不能一直舉起。
約書亞沒有因為自己在前線爭戰，就輕看山上的禱告；亞倫和戶珥也沒有因為自己不是領袖，就認為扶持摩西並不重要。
屬靈的爭戰從來不是靠一個人完成。教會需要有人勇敢站在前線，也需要有人忠心禱告，更需要有人願意在旁邊扶持疲倦的領袖。
有時候，我們未必是站在最前面的人，但我們仍然可以成為扶持別人的亞倫和戶珥。真正的配搭，不是每一個人都做同一件事，而是每一個人都忠心站在神所安排的位置上。
爭戰結束後，神吩咐摩西把這件事寫在書上作紀念，並且念給約書亞聽。因為約書亞不但需要記得自己曾經得勝，更要知道真正的得勝從來不是出於他的刀，而是出於耶和華。
於是，摩西築了一座壇，起名叫：「耶和華尼西。」——出埃及記17:15
「耶和華尼西」的意思就是「耶和華是我的旌旗」。
旌旗是軍隊集合、確認身份和前進方向的記號。當以色列人看見旌旗，就知道自己屬於誰，也知道要跟隨誰前進。
摩西沒有說：「約書亞是我的旌旗。」他也沒有說：「我的禱告是我的旌旗。」他清楚知道，雖然每一個人都參與其中，但真正使以色列人得勝的是耶和華。
我們需要參與爭戰，卻不能倚靠自己；我們需要彼此扶持，卻要知道真正的得勝來自耶和華。
總結
出埃及記第17章從百姓的爭鬧開始，以「耶和華尼西」的得勝結束。
以色列人最初因為看不見水，就懷疑神是否在他們中間；但到了爭戰結束，他們不但看見神的供應，更認識神是帶領他們得勝的旌旗。
神容許他們經歷缺乏，是要他們認識祂是供應者；神容許他們面對爭戰，是要他們認識祂是得勝者。
今天，我們也可能來到生命中的「利非訂」。本來以為可以休息，卻突然發現沒有水；本來以為事情已經平靜，卻又遇到新的攻擊。
困難本身不一定使我們失敗，真正危險的是我們在困難中失去對神的信任。
所以，我們不要讓不滿變成怨言，不要讓怨言變成爭鬧，也不要讓爭鬧破壞我們與神、與人之間的關係。
當我們遇到缺乏，要像摩西一樣呼求神；當我們面對爭戰，要像約書亞一樣順服行動；當身邊的人疲倦，要像亞倫和戶珥一樣伸手扶持。
神不只是要帶領我們離開問題，更要改變我們的生命，使我們從一群彼此埋怨、彼此爭鬧的人，成為一群懂得禱告、順服、彼此扶持，並且能夠一同爭戰得勝的人。
這就是神帶領以色列人所走的道路，也是今天神帶領我們所走的道路：從怨言轉向呼求，從爭鬧轉向配搭，從軟弱走向得勝。因為我們的得勝不在環境，不在人的能力，也不在自己的方法，而在於：耶和華尼西——耶和華是我們得勝的旌旗。
省察
- 我心裏是否有一些不滿，正在慢慢變成怨言，甚至使我開始責怪和敵對別人？
- 面對缺乏和壓力時，我是在尋找可以責怪的人，還是回到神面前呼求祂？
- 今天有哪一位疲倦的領袖、同工或家人，是神要我主動伸手扶持的？
禱告
親愛的天父，求祢保守我的心，不讓不滿變成怨言，也不讓怨言變成爭鬧。當我看不見供應時，幫助我仍然相信祢在我中間；當我面對爭戰時，教導我順服、禱告，並與弟兄姊妹彼此扶持。
求祢帶領我從埋怨轉向呼求，從爭鬧轉向同心，從軟弱走向得勝。我要宣告：耶和華尼西，祢是我的旌旗，也是帶領我得勝的神。
奉主耶穌基督的名禱告，阿們。
Theme Verse “And Moses built an altar and called its name, The-LORD-Is-My-Banner.” — Exodus 17:15 NKJV
Introduction
The wilderness was not only the road from Egypt to the Promised Land. It was also God’s training ground, where He transformed a group of former slaves into His covenant people.
The Israelites had lived in Egypt for more than four hundred years. Surrounded by idols, they had become accustomed to judging everything by what they could see. They could see the Nile, the land, and the gods of Egypt, but the Lord whom they followed could not be seen with human eyes.
Therefore, through their wilderness journey, God was teaching them to move from living by sight to living by faith—to trust the invisible God who was truly present among them.
By the time we reach Exodus 17, the Israelites had already witnessed the ten plagues, experienced the Passover, crossed the Red Sea, seen bitter water become sweet, and received manna from heaven. God had repeatedly shown them His power, presence, and provision.
Nevertheless, when they travelled according to the commandment of the Lord and arrived at Rephidim, there was no water for the people to drink.
The name “Rephidim” carries the idea of rest and refreshment. It should have been a place where they could rest, but instead they faced one of life’s most basic and urgent needs. The people may have wondered, “If God truly led us here, why is there no water? If God is really with us, why has He allowed this to happen?”
This time, the people did more than complain. Their dissatisfaction developed into open conflict with Moses, and they nearly reached the point of stoning him. Their words revealed a deeper spiritual problem: they were no longer simply asking for water; they were questioning whether God was still among them.
Before this inner conflict was fully resolved, the Amalekites came and attacked them while they were tired and vulnerable. Israel now faced two battles at the same time: conflict within the community and an enemy attacking from outside.
Yet God used both crises to transform His people. Through the water from the rock, they learned that God was still their Provider. Through the battle with Amalek, they learned that God was also their Defender and the source of their victory.
Exodus 17 begins with a people quarrelling because they could not see God’s provision, but it ends with an altar declaring, “The-LORD-Is-My-Banner.”
Today, let us consider how God leads His people—and how He leads us—from conflict to victory.
- Do Not Allow Complaining in Your Heart to Become Open Conflict
“Therefore the people contended with Moses, and said, ‘Give us water, that we may drink.’ So Moses said to them, ‘Why do you contend with me? Why do you tempt the LORD?’” — Exodus 17:2 NKJV
Previously, when the Israelites faced difficulties, they complained. This time, however, they went beyond complaining and began to quarrel openly with Moses.
Complaining may begin as dissatisfaction in the heart or a few words spoken privately. If it is not dealt with, it can develop into open conflict, accusation, and opposition.
The people appeared to be quarrelling with Moses, but they were actually testing the Lord. They asked:
“Is the LORD among us or not?” — Exodus 17:7 NKJV
They had already witnessed the ten plagues, experienced the Passover, crossed the Red Sea, and eaten manna from heaven. Yet one experience of having no water caused them to question whether God was still with them.
We must not allow one present difficulty to make us forget all of God’s past faithfulness. Neither should we assume that God has left us simply because we cannot yet see a way forward.
We also need to pay attention to how we handle dissatisfaction in our hearts. If we do not bring it before God, but continue to repeat and enlarge it within ourselves, dissatisfaction will gradually become complaining. When complaining accumulates, it can become accusation and damage our relationships with God and with others.
A season of need does not mean that God is absent. Sometimes our need becomes the very place where God trains our faith. The question is not whether we can immediately see the water, but whether we will continue to believe that God is among us before we see His provision.
Complaining allows the problem to control us, but faith enables us to recognise God’s presence in the middle of the problem.
- Do Not Attack Others in a Crisis; Return to God and Cry Out to Him
“So Moses cried out to the LORD, saying, ‘What shall I do with this people? They are almost ready to stone me!’” — Exodus 17:4 NKJV
When Moses faced the people’s anger and threats, he did not continue arguing with them or use his authority to silence them. Instead, he turned to God and cried out to the Lord.
The people looked for someone to blame in the crisis, but Moses looked for the God upon whom he could depend.
The people transferred the pressure caused by the lack of water onto Moses. Moses, however, did not transfer that pressure to someone else. He brought it into the presence of God.
When others place pressure upon us, it is easy to react immediately, defend ourselves, attack them, or find another person to blame. Moses shows us a spiritual response: stop passing the pressure to others and bring it before God.
The Lord told Moses to take some of the elders of Israel with him and carry the rod with which he had struck the Nile. He was then to go to the rock at Horeb. God said:
“Behold, I will stand before you there on the rock in Horeb; and you shall strike the rock, and water will come out of it, that the people may drink.” — Exodus 17:6 NKJV
Moses obeyed God and struck the rock. Water came out, and the people were able to drink.
This reveals the amazing grace of God. The people were quarrelling and testing Him, yet God still provided water for them. God was not approving their attitude. He was providing for them by grace, even when they did not deserve it.
The New Testament tells us:
“For they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them, and that Rock was Christ.” — 1 Corinthians 10:4 NKJV
The rock was struck, and water came out. In the same way, Jesus Christ was wounded for us so that we might receive the water of life.
When our lives feel dry, we must not attack those around us. No human being can become the true source of our lives. Even if we win an argument, the thirst within us will remain. Only Christ can satisfy the deepest needs of our hearts.
God may not immediately change our circumstances, but He first wants to change our direction—from complaining to crying out, and from blaming others to seeking Him.
Complaining leads us into conflict with people, but crying out to God enables us to see His provision again.
- Stand Together in the Battle and Experience Jehovah Nissi
“And so it was, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed; and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed.” — Exodus 17:11 NKJV
Immediately after the crisis of having no water, the Amalekites came and attacked the Israelites.
Deuteronomy 25:17–18 tells us that the Amalekites came when Israel was tired and weary. They attacked those who were weak and falling behind, and they did not fear God.
This was the first time after leaving Egypt that Israel had to enter battle themselves.
At the Red Sea, God told them: “Stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD, which He will accomplish for you today.” — Exodus 14:13 NKJV
At that time, God opened the Red Sea, and the Israelites only needed to move forward. In Exodus 17, however, God began to train them not only to stand and watch, but also to participate in the battle by faith.
The fact that God fought for them did not mean that they had nothing to do. They had to trust Him while obediently taking their assigned positions.
Everyone had a different role.
Joshua obeyed Moses’ instructions and chose men to fight against Amalek. Moses stood on the hill with the rod of God in his hand and lifted his hands towards God. When Moses’ hands became heavy, Aaron and Hur placed a stone beneath him so that he could sit down. They then stood on either side and supported his hands until sunset.
In the end, Joshua defeated Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword.
This victory was not the achievement of one person.
Without Joshua, no one would have fought on the battlefield. Without Moses, no one would have been praying on the hill. Without Aaron and Hur, Moses would not have been able to keep his hands lifted.
Spiritual battles are never won by one person alone. The church needs people who will stand courageously on the front line. It also needs people who will pray faithfully and people who will stand beside tired leaders and support them.
True partnership does not mean that everyone does the same thing. It means that everyone faithfully serves in the place where God has positioned them.
After the battle, God told Moses to write down what had happened as a memorial and recount it in the hearing of Joshua. Joshua needed to remember not only that he had won a victory, but also that the true victory did not come from his sword. It came from the Lord.
Moses then built an altar and called its name:
“The-LORD-Is-My-Banner.” — Exodus 17:15 NKJV
This is the meaning of Jehovah Nissi: “The LORD is my banner.”
A banner showed an army where to gather, reminded them of their identity, and gave them direction in battle. When the Israelites looked towards their banner, they knew to whom they belonged and whom they were following.
Moses did not say, “Joshua is my banner.” Neither did he say, “My prayer is my banner.” He understood that although everyone participated, the Lord alone gave Israel the victory.
We must participate in the battle, but we must not depend upon ourselves. We need to support one another while remembering that true victory comes from the Lord.
Conclusion
Exodus 17 begins with the people quarrelling and ends with the victory of Jehovah Nissi.
At first, the Israelites could not see any water, so they questioned whether God was among them. By the end of the battle, however, they had not only experienced God’s provision; they had also come to know Him as the banner who led them into victory.
God allowed them to experience need so that they would know Him as their Provider. He allowed them to face battle so that they would know Him as the One who gives victory.
We may also come to a “Rephidim” in our lives. We expected to rest, but suddenly discovered there was no water. We thought everything had become peaceful, but then another battle began.
Difficulties themselves do not necessarily cause us to fail. The greatest danger is losing our trust in God while going through them.
When we face need, let us cry out to God as Moses did. When we face battle, let us obey as Joshua did. When someone beside us becomes tired, let us support them as Aaron and Hur supported Moses.
God wants to transform us from people who complain and quarrel into people who pray, obey, support one another, and stand together in victory: From complaining to crying out, from conflict to partnership, and from weakness to victory.
Our victory is not found in our circumstances, our abilities, or our own methods.
Jehovah Nissi—the LORD is our banner and the One who leads us into victory.
Reflection
- Is there any dissatisfaction in my heart that is gradually becoming complaining and causing me to blame others?
- When facing need and pressure, do I look for someone to blame, or do I return to God and cry out to Him?
- Is there a tired leader, co-worker, family member, or brother or sister whom God wants me to support today?
Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father, please guard my heart. Do not allow dissatisfaction to become complaining, or complaining to become conflict. When I cannot see Your provision, help me to continue believing that You are among us. When I face a battle, teach me to obey, pray, and support others.
Lead me from complaining to crying out, from conflict to unity, and from weakness to victory. Jehovah Nissi, You are my banner and the God who leads me into victory.
In the name of Jesus Christ I pray, Amen.
Zion Bread of Life Christian Church 
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