Moses at the Stone of Horeb: “There’s Water in the Stone!”

It took around 3 hours or so, for all of the Israelites to wake up, and gather around Moses. By the time they did, the scorching sun beat down relentlessly upon them. Their throats were parched, their tongues dry, and desperation gripped at their hearts.

The absence of water had cast a shadow of despair over the entire community. It was in this desolate place, Rephidim, that their faith wavered, and they began to quarrel with Moses.

"Give us water so that we can drink!" they demanded, their voices tinged with frustration and accusation. Another Israelite piped up, as well, saying "And where is Ezrae? He promised he would take care of this last night, AND tell us a story, and then he just disappeared!"

Moses, burdened by the weight of their complaints, turned to them with a solemn gaze.

"Why do you quarrel with me? Why do you test our Lord God, Yahweh?" he implored, his voice carrying a mix of concern and reproach. The people thirsted for water, and their desperation had driven them to grumble against their leader, questioning the very purpose of their liberation from Egypt.

Moses, feeling the weight of their discontent, and his heart heavy with pain and confusion over what was happening with Ezrae; cried out to Yahweh in anguish.

"What will I do with these people? A little longer and they will stone me to death!" he pleaded, his voice carrying the weariness of a leader burdened by the doubts and complaints of his people; and a father, burdened by the worry and love of his child.

And in that moment, Yahweh responded to Moses, offered a glimmer of hope amidst the desert despair.

"Go on before the people and take with you some from the elders of Israel. In total, take a number of Twelve, the eldest of each tribe. Take with your group 3 camels and 3 Donnie's, and all of the canteens and reserve skins of the israelites. In addition; take the staff, with which you struck the Nile, and go," Yahweh commanded, His voice resolute with reassurance.

Moses, his heart heavy yet resolute, gathered the chosen elders and took hold of his staff… A staff that had become a symbol of the miraculous power Yahweh had manifested through him, during their journey. A staff that tied him directly to his God.

With each step toward the Stone in Horeb, he carried the weight of his people's doubts, their wavering faith, all the while trying to focus on his people, and not worry about Ezrae.

As Moses reached the designated rock, he could feel the eyes of the elders and the entire community fixed upon him, their hopes clinging to the possibility of salvation. With trembling hands, he raised the staff high above his head, memories of the parted waters of the Red Sea, flooding his mind.

"Yahweh, be with us," he whispered, his voice a fervent plea as he struck the stone with the staff. Yahweh's words echoed in his head:

"Take the Seven Israelite Elders to a place that is half a mile south from the camp you've made in Rephidim. This place is called Horeb. There, you will find a large, perfectly round Stone, approximately 4 Cubits by 4 Cubits in size. Then, I want you to imagine how you felt that night that I worked through you at the Red Sea. And then open yourself up to me again, while you strike the rock, just as you struck the Nile."

And then, following his given directions, Moses swiftly brought the staff down, striking the rock with all his might… All was quiet… And nothing happened. For a split second, Moses' heart dropped, as he stepped away from the rock.

Then, like a miracle unfolding before their very eyes, a rumble echoed through the desert, a crack formed in the stone at the point where Moses had struck it, and water gushed forth like a waterfall, showing God's mercy.

The Twelve Israelite Leaders watched in awe, as the life-giving water cascaded down, quenching their thirst, and reviving their spirits. The arid ground greedily absorbed the precious liquid, leaving behind a newfound hope in the hearts of the weary travelers.

Their doubts and complaints; momentarily forgotten; gave way to gratitude and awe. They yelled, cheered, and played like they were young children in the water that gushed forth from the stone. Moses, too, laughed along and danced in the water with the other Elders, forgetting his own issues.

Then, his eyes glistening with tears of relief and gratitude, Moses decided to call the place Massah and Meribah, for it was a testament to the quarrels and testing of Yahweh, by His people. In this place, doubt had been replaced by faith, and despair by hope.

They filled the canteens of the Israelite camp, as well as their reserves; which they strapped onto the camels & donkeys for travel. When they were satisfied, Moses lead them back to the camp at Rephidim, where they began to hand out the water and tell their tale.

The murmurs of discontent and anger were replaced with praises of awe and gratitude, which filled the air, as the Israelites drank from their canteens, and listened to the elders recount what had happened at Horeb, which was now called Meribah.

Their physical, mental, and spiritual selves were already healing from the presence of water, and Yahweh's love. They marveled at the power of Yahweh, their doubts fading like mirages in the vast desert.

The stone of Horeb became a symbol of their redemption, a reminder that even in the harshest of wildernesses, Yahweh's providence was ever-present, and His love was never-ending.

Moses, his heart swelling with pride and gratitude, turned to the Israelites, his voice carrying the weight of a leader reborn.

"Have faith, Israelites! There is water in the stone. Honey in the ROCK! MANNA ON THE GROUND!"

And the Israelites, their thirst quenched and their souls rejuvenated, nodded, cheered, and praised Yahweh in agreement. Moses finished his statement to the Israelites, saying,

"Let this be a testament to the power and faithfulness of Yahweh. He is in our midst, always."

They had witnessed the miraculous, experienced the touch of the divine. In the face of adversity, they would hold steadfast to their faith, for Yahweh had proven His presence and providence.

Now, with the Israelites once again satisfied, Moses made his way back to the tent where Aaron and Miriam were caring for Ezrae. By now, if he was still unconscious, they would have figured out how to help him. As he approached the tent, he could see that Aaron was standing outside, with a look of slight worry on his face.