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They continued on in the Wilderness of Sin until they came to Rephidim, about 60 miles from Elim. They could find no water there. Again the people complained and
God told Moses to take his rod and strike the rock at Horeb and water would come out of it. Moses did as the Lord commanded and water came forth. He called the place "Massah", because the people complained. He also called it "Moribad", because they had put the Lord to test.
There is also in this chapter an account of a confrontation with the Amalekites. These people were descendants of Esau. (See Rom. 9:6-13) They had been nomadic wanderers in the wilderness of Shur for about 500 years. Amalek, was Esau's grandson. The Amalekites were the perpetual enemies of the Israelites, since Jacob (the father of the Israelites) stole the birthright from Esau, the first-born.
This encounter is a story of patience and endurance. When the Israelites were confronted by the Amalekites, Moses sent Joshua with a chosen force of Israelites, against the forces of Amalek. As long as Moses held up his arms with the "rod of God", Joshua prevailed. When his arms grew tired and he lowered them, Amalek prevailed. Aaron and Hur realized the problem and went and assisted Moses in holding up his arms. Hur is believed to have been the Egyptian husband of Miriam, Moses' sister. With Aaron and Hur holding up Moses' arms, Amalek was defeated.
When it was all over, God instructed Moses to write an account of the battle for future generations. It to was placed in the "Testimony". God also prophesied that this conflict between good and evil would continue from generation to generation, until the end of time.
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