Exodus-Journey
Introduction
The Israelites have seen God move in dramatic ways. They have just been rescued from Pharaoh for a second time. This left them on a spiritual high as they responded in worship. Yet after seeing the plagues and God’s deliverance, days without new miracles leave them despondent. Many of the stories in this installment of Exodus show a people with short memories. They begin to grumble as God’s provision doesn’t come in their timing. They need water in the desert and complain to the One who had just commanded the Red Sea to destroy their enemies. In biblical settings, the desert is a place where people wander, need guidance, and mutter against Yahweh[1]. Is it so different in our days? In symbolic fashion we describe seasons of life where there is dryness and scarcity as being “in the desert.” Are we patient with God and remember what He has just done for us when His timing is different than our expectations?
Scripture
Read 15:22-18:27
This section of Exodus is in narrative format. As you read, note the location changes and the major events that happen in each section within the range of scripture. Look for how the Israelites respond to God and how He meets their needs.
Commentary:
From the Red Sea to Elim (15:22-27)
After the deliverance over their enemies, God begins leading the Israelites toward their destination. Where are they going? Back in Exodus 3:17 God had told them that after their deliverance He would lead them to a land “of milk and honey.” God doesn’t just save us to let us figure things out on our own. His deliverance always comes with a journey to a good place; when He rescues, He rescues us for something.
In this first segment, the Israelites run into a problem. There is no water. It is common when considering survival situations as water is essential to life. When their journey brings them to water at Marah, it was too bitter to drink. The people grumble and complain, thus setting a pattern as they follow God. So quickly, they stop thinking about God’s provision and focus on what they lack. Moses prays and a log is given which when thrown into the water makes it drinkable. After providing, He gives them a precept. If they listen to Him, He will withhold disease from them. Interestingly, the word translated log in verse 25 is a form of the word Torah or law. One of the themes in Exodus is that God establishes for Himself a people. This means that rules of governance will be given, as we see foreshadowed in this section.
After this lesson, the people arrive in Elim, a place with springs of water and palm trees for shade. The was no need for the people to grumble against God—rest and refreshment were short distance away.
Elim to the wilderness of Sin (Exodus 16:1-36)
After leaving the oasis of Elim, then they go next into the Wilderness of Sin. I’ve always been struck by this play on words—often the Christian after a period of comfort is thrust into tempting circumstances. This segment upon leaving Egypt is no different for the Israelites. Grumbling happens again but this time, their hunger is the cause. They claim they would have rather stayed slaves who ate meat and bread then do follow God into freedom and abundance. People often choose comfort above following the Lord. It isn’t always a physical craving. Sometimes their longing can be to return emotionally to familiar coping mechanisms than move into healthy patterns.
So begins the second test of obedience. God promises to feed the people the bread of heaven, manna, and will give the people enough for each day. Manna is daily bread, a promise of what is needed for that day alone to satisfy. In fact, they were specifically told to not keep some for the next day. Yet some of the people did not listen and in the morning it breeds worms and produces a rancid odor. By keeping the bread, they did not pass the test. They were trying to provide for themselves by keeping bread for the next day instead of trusting God would provide it again and again, each day. Why would God give food this way? Why does He do it with His children today? It is so we remain dependent on Him.
The picture of manna of course was to point to one who would satisfy us more fully-His Son Jesus. In John chapter 6, Jesus who had just finished feeding the 5,000 had developed a reputation among the Jews. Many of them were coming to Him again, not out of reverence for God, for the sign made among them, but for full bellies
Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you. For on him God the Father has set his seal.” Then they said to him, “What must we do, to be doing the works of God?” Jesus answered them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.” So they said to him, “Then what sign do you do, that we may see and believe you? What work do you perform? Our fathers ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written, ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat.’” Jesus then said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, it was not Moses who gave you the bread from heaven, but my Father gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is he who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” They said to him, “Sir, give us this bread always.” Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger. (John 6:27-35)
Manna in the wilderness serves as a symbol to point to the deep satisfaction that is ultimately fulfilled in Christ.
On the sixth day, the congregation was commanded to gather twice as much bread because the first Sabbath was being inaugurated. God gave the Sabbath to the people as a gift, a day to rest and not gather. Yet again, some of the people did not trust God and went out the 7th day for manna. Those who don’t trust God fully refuse to keep His commands and laws. When we never take a break, we echo this action. Disregarding the command to rest before God, we show there are areas within us that want to keep providing for our self. An omer of this bread was kept in the temple to be kept before the Lord throughout each generation as a testimony to how the Lord provides for His people.
Wilderness of Sin to Rephidim (Exodus 17:1-16)
As the Israelites transition to Rephidim, once again, there is no water to drink. Again, they grumble to the point to mutiny. God directs Moses to strike a rock and water comes forth. This typology is a picture of Christ, our Rock and source of living water[2]. Moses describes their complaining as a form of testing God because despite all He’s done, they still don’t trust Him to provide. It’s good for God to test us to show us how far we are from Him but wrong for humanity to test God because He is all powerful and perfect. In Exodus For You[3], Chester describes reminds the reader that a central theme in the story of the plagues is a hardened heart. Grumbling may seem small, but leads to this stubborn and judgmental attitude. He says, “When God provides in a manner that does not accord with your preferences or your timing, be careful. You will want to grumble. Instead, take the opportunity to trust God, rather than to test Him.”
Next Amalek, a grandson of Esau, comes to fight against Israel. So far, God has already protected the Israelites against an army but this time they have to fight. Yet, God’s favor is not far from them. He instructions Moses to hold up His staff and when it is raised, the Israelites are strengthened in battle. Eventually Moses tires, so Aaron and Hur, Miriam’s husband, come on each side and hold up his hands. Spiritual battles come to the Christian every day. We need others to help us and encourage us to stay strong as we wait for the Lord’s victory over our enemies. After the battle, Moses builds an alter dedicated as The Lord Is My Banner to symbolize God’s saving power.
Encamped at the Mountain of God, Sinai (Exodus 18:1-27)
Chapter 18 describes a family reunion. Jethro, Moses father in law, had been caring for his wife and sons while Moses was in Egypt on God’s mission. After hearing of God’s miraculous rescue, Jethro brings his daughter and grandson’s back to be with Moses as they encamp before Sinai. As Moses retells the Lord’s intervention on their behalf, Jethro blesses the Lord and acknowledge His diving supremacy. The next day, Jethro observes Moses acting as judge to settle disputes among those encamped and gives advice for sustaining his leadership, starting in verse 17. To help Moses not burn out, he suggests finding trustworthy men who fear God to manage groups within the camp to help him bear the burden. This left Moses with the most challenging cases to mediate. Though God has saved His people, establishing governmental structure was an important part of making those He rescued His people.
Reflection
1. Do you tend to grumble when God doesn’t provide for you as you expect and in the timeline you desire? What does the journey the people of God are taking teach you about God’s leadership and what our response should be?
2. Do you come daily to the Lord, expecting to be filled and provided for through His Son? How satisfied are you in Christ, the Bread of Life?
3. Do you demonstrate trust in God by having rhythms of rest in your weekly lifestyle?
4. Do you have people who can “hold up your hands” when the battle is raging? Who do you know who is fighting something and what can you do to strengthen their hands?
5. In ministry, have you ever been in a position of burnout? How can following Jethro’s advice apply to you in such times?
For notifications of new posts, video devotionals, and scripture images follow me on Instagram @House_Youre_Building!
Comments