Exodus 17

“And all the congregation of the children of Israel journeyed from the wilderness of Sin, after their journeys…” Naming Israel and Rephidim keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Wherefore the people did chide with Moses, and said, Give us water that we may drink. And Moses said unto them, Why…” The question slows the passage down. Notice who is being pressed to answer, what the question assumes, and whether the next lines provide a response.

“And the people thirsted there for water; and the people murmured against Moses, and said, Wherefore is this that thou…” The question slows the passage down. Notice who is being pressed to answer, what the question assumes, and whether the next lines provide a response.

“And Moses cried unto the LORD , saying, What shall I do unto this people? they be almost ready to stone me.” The question slows the passage down. Notice who is being pressed to answer, what the question assumes, and whether the next lines provide a response.

“And the LORD said unto Moses, Go on before the people, and take with thee of the elders of Israel; and thy rod…” Naming Israel and Moses keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Behold, I will stand before thee there upon the rock in Horeb; and thou shalt smite the rock, and there shall come…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“And he called the name of the place Massah, and Meribah, because of the chiding of the children of Israel, and because…” The question slows the passage down. Notice who is being pressed to answer, what the question assumes, and whether the next lines provide a response.

“Then came Amalek, and fought with Israel in Rephidim.” Naming Amalek and Israel keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And Moses said unto Joshua, Choose us out men, and go out, fight with Amalek: to morrow I will stand on the top of the…” Naming Amalek and Choose keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“So Joshua did as Moses had said to him, and fought with Amalek: and Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the…” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“And it came to pass, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed: and when he let down his hand, Amalek…” This familiar narrative signal moves the clock forward. What follows is a new scene, consequence, or answer to an earlier tension.

“But Moses’ hands were heavy; and they took a stone, and put it under him, and he sat thereon; and Aaron and Hur stayed…” The number one makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“And Joshua discomfited Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword.” Naming Amalek and Joshua keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And the LORD said unto Moses, Write this for a memorial in a book, and rehearse it in the ears of Joshua: for I will…” Naming Amalek and Joshua keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And Moses built an altar, and called the name of it Jehovah-nissi:” Naming Jehovah and Moses keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“For he said, Because the LORD hath sworn that the LORD will have war with Amalek from generation to generation.” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.