Yet, at the close of the parashah, when Amalek attacks, the people fight, and win: “Joshua overcame the Amalekite army with the sword” (17:13). And we wonder, how did this timid slave nation build confidence so quickly? Many see the intervening stories as mere grumblings and complaints, but comparing these two battles reveals a profound national transformation. Between these two wars, we have three stories about sustenance: First, God provides water; second, He provides food – the manna and the quail; third, again water – Moses is instructed to hit the rock and water emerges. (And consequently, we have a lovely chiasm: war (Egypt) – water – food – water – war (Amalek).)