Why was it called the water of Meribah?
It was called the water of Meribah because the children of Israel strove, argued, and complained with the Lord there, and He was sanctified in them. The name reflects Israel's contention with God, connected with Moses' failure of faith and obedience at that place.
Les teaches that this is the water of Meribah because the children of Israel strove or argued or complained with the Lord, and He was sanctified in them. The Lord had spoken to Moses and Aaron, saying, "Because you believed me not to sanctify me in the eyes of the children of Israel, therefore you shall not bring this congregation into the land which I have given unto them." Les explains that what faltered was Moses' faith and obedience. He points out that it always comes down to that same one word, faith. It is the same with us: in a moment of weakness, our faith fails us. Every time a sin besets us, the problem is a lack of faith. If we know what God has said to us, then we will not let these things befall us.
This is the water of Meribah; because the children of Israel strove with the LORD, and he was sanctified in them.