Exodus Prayer And Dependency Chapter 17:1-16 W onderful Protection Hide me under the shadow of thy wings. Psalms 17:8. A party of Northern tourists formed part of a large company gathered on the deck of an excursion steamer that was moving slowly down the historic Potomac one beautiful evening in the summer of 1881. A gentleman, who has since gained a national reputation as an evangelist of song, had been delighting the party with his happy rendering of many familiar hymns, the last being the sweet petition so dear to every Christian heart, Jesus, lover of my soul The singer gave the first two verses with much feeling, and a peculiar emphasis upon the concluding lines that thrilled every heart. A hush had fallen upon the listeners that was not broken for some seconds after the musical notes had died away. Then a gentleman made his way from the outskirts of the crowd to the side of the singer, and accosted him with: Beg your pardon, stranger, but were you actively engaged in the late war? Yes, sir, the man of song answered, courteously; I fought under General Grant. Well, the first speaker continued with something like a sigh, I did my fighting on the other side, and think, indeed am quite sure, I was very near you one bright night eighteen years ago this very month. It was much such a night as this. If I am not mistaken, you were on guard duty. We of the South had sharp business on hand, and you were one of the enemy. I crept near your post of duty, my murderous weapon in my hand; the shadow hid me. As you paced back and forth you were humming the tune of the hymn you have just sung, I raised my gun and aimed at your heart, and I had been selected by our commander for the work because I was a sure shot. Then out upon the night rang the words: Cover my defenseless head With the shadow of thy wing. Your prayer was answered. I could not fire after that and there was no attack made upon your camp that night. I felt sure, when I heard you sing this evening, that you were the man whose life I was spared from taking. The singer grasped the hand of the Southerner and said with much emotion: I remember the night very well, and distinctly the feeling of depression and loneliness with which I went forth to my duty. I knew my post was one of great danger, and I was more dejected than I remember to have been at any other time during the service. I paced my lonely beat, thinking of home and friends and all that life holds dear. Then the thought of God s care for all that he has created in his own image; and I sang the prayer of my heart, and ceased to feel alone. How the prayer was answered I never knew until this evening. My Heavenly Father thought best to keep the knowledge from me for eighteen years. How much of his goodness to us we shall be ignorant of until it is revealed by the light of eternity! Jesus, lover of my soul, has been a favorite hymn; now it will be inexpressibly dear. A. B. Earle, From: Incidents Used In His Meetings, published in 1888 1 So whether you re alone alone, or alone in the midst of the millions of Israel, our dependency is to be on God. He is the one who meets our needs. Accordingly we are to trust in Him. We ll see this morning more examples of why we can trust in Him and illustrations of why we struggle with doing so. 1 Books For The Ages, AGES Software, Albany, OR, Version 2.0 1996, 1997. 2 Bush, George, Notes on Exodus, Klock & Klock Christian Publishers, Inc., Minneapolis, MN, 1981, p. 218.
XIII The Rod of Moses A. The Rod and the Water Verses 1-7 B. The Rod and the Amalek Verses 8-16 Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 Introduction: Today we enter a new small section of the journey towards Canaan. This is not part of the forty-year wilderness march. That occurs after the refusal to enter into the land, which we will be seeing in a future session, but as with last week first I want to spend a little time talking about how we did on our walk with the Lord this last week. The two areas we have been working on are an attitude of praise of the Lord and a dependency on Him. Does anyone have anything specific they would like to share before we go on with this study? Now we are going to look at a couple more examples of ways the Lord had for meeting the needs of His people. A. The Rod and the Water: Previously we have seen God meet the Israelites needs: for safety, with the destruction of the armies of Egypt; for water, with the purification of bitter waters at Marah and then the oasis at Elim; for food, with the provision of both Manna and quail; for the rest, He provided the Sabbath which was to be a day of honor for Him and quiet for the people; and finally, the Lord provided for future generations be giving a memorial so they could remember what God had done for their forbearers. It would be unrealistic to hope by now the people would be at peace with Moses, trusting the Lord, knowing He was in control of all circumstances. But I suspect, knowing both them and us, we realize the people were ready to turn on Moses at the first sign of a problem. And of course one comes up. The people were traveling on the way to Mt. Sinai and again there is a water shortage. The Lord had met this need twice within in a matter of days. Never-the-less off they go to Moses demanding water. Moses reiterated a truth he had previously noted back in 16:8. When the people attacked him they were attacking God. Your grumbling is not against us but against the LORD (Exodus 16:8 ESV). We have to be careful when we go to the Lord, with our needs and frustrations, that our attitude is one of dependency not accusation. do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:6 7 ESV). ) 150 (
Note, the issue isn t the people are concerned about water. The concern was their lack of trust in God. Are there any recent areas where you may have responded in a similar manner? Do you see any areas where our body may be struggling similarly? Sadly, the people were thirsty so they didn t listen to Moses words, just their own discomfort. So they continued to complain. And they brought up the same old saw, Moses led them into the desert to die. If this were true, it would make Moses a trifle strange for if the people died, so would he. But, as before, they were behaving irrationally. The other reason the peoples complaint was so odd was they were demanding action from Moses, as a man, that only God could provide. Where did they expect Moses to get the water? Their food was arriving daily from God, not Moses, so why did they go to him except to ask him to appeal to God? I wonder how often believers expect church leaders to be more that human. They sometimes act as if they believe leaders are some sort of supermen. Some of the Christian cults actually elevate leaders to the level of minor, in some cases major, deities. One thing that can happen when men are elevated above their humanity is the disillusionment of the people when they find the leaders have feet of clay. Another danger is when the leaders buy their own PR. Then, as in this case with Moses, there is a real danger the people will turn on the one that the Lord has placed over them. Leaders have a responsibility to make sure they don t foster a false view of themselves. As members of a local church, we also have a responsibility to make sure we don t put our leaders up on a pedestal for our own reasons. Moses at this point was starting to get a little bent out of shape. He went to the Lord frustrated because he could do nothing with this bunch. Additionally, he was also afraid that the problem was getting out of hand and the people might stone him. A little out of hand? brother! If it were me I d quit. The Lord was ready to act! But in doing so He intended to show the people He was in charge and Moses was His representative. He had Moses take the rod, representing his authority. This was the rod God provided as an emblem of authority before Pharaoh. Second, Moses was to take the elders with him to see God working and have them report back to the mob. Moses actions, directed by the Lord, were intended to reinforce his position as God s servant and leader. So he went out before them with their elders and the rod. I wonder if they thought their leaders were about to get it. Anyway the Lord directed Moses to a rock at Horeb. And when Moses smote it water poured out. Moses named the place, Massah and Meribah, meaning to test or tempt and to quarrel. This would later go down in the history books so the people would never forget what God did. Now everything should be all right, right, not likely. There is also another prophetic picture found in this section. The rock provides a perfect picture of the smitten Christ. It is important to note the rock was to be smitten only once. Moses ) 151 (
later gets in trouble in a similar situation when he smites a rock twice. God intended this be a picture of Christ. For I do not want you to be unaware, brothers, that our fathers were all under the cloud, and all passed through the sea, and all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea, and all ate the same spiritual food, and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank from the spiritual Rock that followed them, and the Rock was Christ (1 Corinthians 10:1 4 ESV). This rock speaks of the spiritual provision of the Lord just as the Manna speaks of Christ as bread of heaven. Christ is often pictured in Scripture as the rock or the corner stone, ie.: For it stands in Scripture: Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone, a cornerstone chosen and precious, and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame. So the honor is for you who believe, but for those who do not believe, The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone, and A stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense. They stumble because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do (1 Peter 2:6 8 ESV). Again, He is the rock upon which the church is built, And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it (Matthew 16:18 ESV). Finally, we know Christ was smitten once for our sin. From that smiting flows all the blessings God has for us, past, present and future. The past tense of salvation is redemption. The present tense is sanctification. And the future tense is glorification. Also with the receiving of Christ we also receive the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. Praise the Lord, blessed be His name. B. The Rod and the Amalek: Lets recap the Israelite s condition to put in perspective the next incident on the way to Sinai. They had been in slavery for two hundred plus years. Now they have been on the trail for a while, short of water, tromping through the heat, and heating up the trail for Moses. I suspect they were frightened, suffering from PTSD, and while having resources from the God, were pretty fragile in their ability to trust. (One major factor behind anger is fear.) Now circumstances were about to get worse. The Israelites were about to face a new enemy, the Amaleks. Whatever the Israelites were, they weren t warriors. And how do you go to war with women and children as part of the company? Just who were the Amaleks, besides a pain in the neck? These people were descendants of Esau and therefore would have been cousins of the Israelites. The sons of Eliphaz were Teman, Omar, Zepho, Gatam, and Kenaz. (Timna was a concubine of Eliphaz, Esau s son; she bore Amalek to Eliphaz.) These are the sons of Adah, Esau s wife. (Genesis 36:11-12 ESV). ) 152 (
The Amaleks were an aggressive people. From their center at Kadesh they sent raiding parties beyond their own borders and in this case, they chose to attack the Hebrews. Bush notes: it is implied that they came from some distance for this purpose, and consequently that Israel was not at this time encroaching upon their territories, and thus giving occasion for the attack. 2 The reasons for the attack may have tied to a historic hatred of the Hebrews because of Jacob taking Esau s birthright and the fact God s promises were being fulfilled. It may also be they heard of all the wealth the people took from Egypt and simply wanted to get their hands on it. Now think how the people must have felt at this point. They were not warriors. Remember, the Lord had sent them this way to avoid a battle earlier with the Philistines. When Pharaoh let the people go, God did not lead them by way of the land of the Philistines, although that was near. For God said, Lest the people change their minds when they see war and return to Egypt. (Exodus 13:17 ESV). But now the time had come to fight. Why the situation was different is not explained. I don t even want to speculate. One thing is clear though: the Hebrews certainly wouldn t be able to win any battle on their own. The source of their strength was the Lord. Here we are introduced to Joshua. Moses put him in charge of enlisting an army. Moses was the physical representative of God. By his actions the people would be able to recognize God s involvement. Moses took the rod and as he held it up the battle went for Israel. As it fell so went the people s fate. As one depends on the Lord, victory comes. As one depends on oneself, defeat comes. Moses, being only human and an old example of one at that, couldn t support the rod for long. So Aaron and Hur sat him down and each held up one of his arms, supporting the rod. Jewish tradition says as Moses hands were lifted up in prayer Israel prevailed and as they fell so the battle went against the people. I think it is safe to say Moses was supporting the Hebrews with prayer since it is obvious there was no intrinsic power in the rod. It should be noted both prayer and action were needed. It was the prayers of Moses and the sword of Joshua that the Lord used to bring victory. Too often Christians act as if they simply have to pray and sit back waiting for the Lord to work. Can you think of any examples of situations where clearly both prayer and action are called for to see the Lord work in your life? As one might expect, Joshua and the armies of Israel prevail and God s power is vindicated. And the victory was complete. Why was God so harsh? Maybe the answer is found here Remember what Amalek did to you on the way as you came out of Egypt, how he attacked you on the way when you were faint and weary, and cut off your tail, those who were lagging behind you, and he did not fear God. Therefore when the LORD 2 Bush, George, Notes on Exodus, Klock & Klock Christian Publishers, Inc., Minneapolis, MN, 1981, p. 218. ) 153 (
your God has given you rest from all your enemies around you, in the land that the LORD your God is giving you for an inheritance to possess, you shall blot out the memory of Amalek from under heaven; you shall not forget (Deut. 25:17 19 ESV). It should also be noted that Joshua was already being groomed as Moses successor. He would lead the people, not through the wilderness, but into battle. Here he was learning God was the one who wins wars. The battle was fought up on the hill by Moses with prayer and dependency on God. The battle wasn t won by the army down on the field. This was something that would be absolutely necessary for Joshua to understand when he became God s representative over the people. Dr. McGee draws a parallel here with a problem we face as believers. Esau is often used as a picture of the flesh and just as Israel could not defeat his descendants, the Amaleks, on their own but depended on the Lord, so we cannot overcome our own flesh with out the strength of the Lord. 3 For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do (Galatians 5:17 ESV). Finally, God instructed Moses to write down the account of the battle on a scroll for posterity. He was specifically commanded to read the account to Joshua for his benefit as he would be the future leader. There is also the prediction that the day will come when the Amalek would be utterly destroyed. (see above) Moses built an altar that was named The Lord is My banner. This may refer to the fact that as the rod was lifted it showed the Lord was in control because the people depended on Him. Moses then announced the on-going battle between the Lord and the Amalek. The reason for this I suspect was that the attack on Israel was an attack on God and so He would not let them go unpunished but would finally wipe them out. Conclusion: The main focus of this chapter has been the use of the rod as a picture of God s involvement with the nation. All that was provided was from God, be it water or victory over one s enemies. In the last case the rod could be seen as an outward sign of inward praying. I want us to pull together some of the applications of the last weeks. We have been talking about prayer as focused on the Lord in the areas of praise and dependency. Now I want us to continue to focus on these same areas but with the recognition of the necessity of a life typified by prayer. Remember, as soon as Moses let the rod down the battle turned against the Hebrews. As soon as we let down in our prayer lives we frequently find ourselves getting in trouble. What are some different ways that we can remind ourselves to work on our prayer lives this week? For you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. 3 McGee, J. Vernon, Thru the Bible with J. Vernon McGee, Volume 1, Genesis - Deuteronomy, Thomas Nelson Inc., Nashville, TN 1981, adapted from p. 258. ) 154 (
But you are not in darkness, brothers, for that day to surprise you like a thief. For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you (1 Thessalonians 5:2, 4, 9, 16 18 ESV) ) 155 (
Exodus Prayer And Dependency Chapter 17:1-16 XIII The Rod of Moses A. The Rod and the Water Verses 1-7 B. The Rod and the Amalek Verses 8-16 Introduction: (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18) A. The Rod and the Water: (Exodus 16:8; Philippians 4:6 7 1 Corinthians 10:1 4; 1 Peter 2:6 8; Matthew 16:18)
B. The Rod and the Amalek: (Genesis 36:11-12; Exodus 13:17; Deuteronomy 25:17 19; Galatians 5:17) Conclusion: (1 Thessalonians 5:2, 4, 9, 16 18) Personal Application: This week make a list of where you have seen the Lord work in your life as you have depended on Him. Prayer for the Week: Father I praise You for the blessings You have brought into my life. Amen.