Complain, Complain, Gripe and Complain... Read Exodus 15:22-27 19:1-2 Bitter Water at Marah Then Moses led the people of Israel away from the Red Sea, and they moved out into the desert of Shur. They traveled in this desert for three days without finding any water. When they came to the oasis of Marah, the water was too bitter to drink. So they called the place Marah (which means bitter ). Then the people complained and turned against Moses. What are we going to drink? they demanded. So Moses cried out to the Lord for help, and the Lord showed him a piece of wood. Moses threw it into the water, and this made the water good to drink. It was there at Marah that the Lord set before them the following decree as a standard to test their faithfulness to him. He said, If you will listen carefully to the voice of the Lord your God and do what is right in his sight, obeying his commands and keeping all his decrees, then I will not make you suffer any of the diseases I sent on the Egyptians; for I am the Lord who heals you. After leaving Marah, the Israelites traveled on to the oasis of Elim, where they found twelve springs and seventy palm trees. They camped there beside the water. Manna and Quail from Heaven Then the whole community of Israel set out from Elim and journeyed into the wilderness of Sin, between Elim and Mount Sinai. They arrived there on the fifteenth day of the second month, one month after leaving the land of Egypt. There, too, the whole community of Israel complained about Moses and Aaron. If only the Lord had killed us back in Egypt, they moaned. There we sat around pots filled with meat and ate all the bread we wanted. But now you have brought us into this wilderness to starve us all to death. Then the Lord said to Moses, Look, I m going to rain down food from heaven for you. Each day the people can go out and pick up as much food as they need for that day. I will test them in this to see whether or not they will follow my instructions. On the sixth day they will gather food, and when they prepare it, there will be twice as much as usual. So Moses and Aaron said to all the people of Israel, By evening you will realize it was the Lord who brought you out of the land of Egypt. In the morning you will see the glory of the Lord, because he has heard your complaints, which are against him, not against us. What have we done that you should complain about us? Then Moses added, The Lord will give you meat to eat in the evening and bread to satisfy you in the morning, for he has heard all your complaints against him. What have we done? Yes, your complaints are against the Lord, not against us. Then Moses said to Aaron, Announce this to the entire com-
Complain, Complain, Gripe and Complain... munity of Israel: Present yourselves before the Lord, for he has heard your complaining. And as Aaron spoke to the whole community of Israel, they looked out toward the wilderness. There they could see the awesome glory of the Lord in the cloud. Then the Lord said to Moses, I have heard the Israelites complaints. Now tell them, In the evening you will have meat to eat, and in the morning you will have all the bread you want. Then you will know that I am the Lord your God. That evening vast numbers of quail flew in and covered the camp. And the next morning the area around the camp was wet with dew. When the dew evaporated, a flaky substance as fine as frost blanketed the ground. The Israelites were puzzled when they saw it. What is it? they asked each other. They had no idea what it was. And Moses told them, It is the food the Lord has given you to eat. These are the Lord s instructions: Each household should gather as much as it needs. Pick up two quarts for each person in your tent. So the people of Israel did as they were told. Some gathered a lot, some only a little. But when they measured it out, everyone had just enough. Those who gathered a lot had nothing left over, and those who gathered only a little had enough. Each family had just what it needed. Then Moses told them, Do not keep any of it until morning. But some of them didn t listen and kept some of it until morning. But by then it was full of maggots and had a terrible smell. Moses was very angry with them. After this the people gathered the food morning by morning, each family according to its need. And as the sun became hot, the flakes they had not picked up melted and disappeared. On the sixth day, they gathered twice as much as usual four quarts for each person instead of two. Then all the leaders of the community came and asked Moses for an explanation. He told them, This is what the Lord commanded: Tomorrow will be a day of complete rest, a holy Sabbath day set apart for the Lord. So bake or boil as much as you want today, and set aside what is left for tomorrow. So they put some aside until morning, just as Moses had commanded. And in the morning the leftover food was wholesome and good, without maggots or odor. Moses said, Eat this food today, for today is a Sabbath day dedicated to the Lord. There will be no food on the ground today. You may gather the food for six days, but the seventh day is the Sabbath. There will be no food on the ground that day. Some of the people went out anyway on the seventh day, but they found no food. The Lord asked Moses, How long will these people refuse to obey my commands and instructions? They must realize that the Sabbath is the Lord s gift to you. That is why he gives you a two-day
Complain, Complain, Gripe and Complain... supply on the sixth day, so there will be enough for two days. On the Sabbath day you must each stay in your place. Do not go out to pick up food on the seventh day. So the people did not gather any food on the seventh day. The Israelites called the food manna. It was white like coriander seed, and it tasted like honey wafers. Then Moses said, This is what the Lord has commanded: Fill a twoquart container with manna to preserve it for your descendants. Then later generations will be able to see the food I gave you in the wilderness when I set you free from Egypt. Moses said to Aaron, Get a jar and fill it with two quarts of manna. Then put it in a sacred place before the Lord to preserve it for all future generations. Aaron did just as the Lord had commanded Moses. He eventually placed it in the Ark of the Covenant in front of the stone tablets inscribed with the terms of the covenant. So the people of Israel ate manna for forty years until they arrived at the land where they would settle. They ate manna until they came to the border of the land of Canaan. The container used to measure the manna was an omer, which was one tenth of an ephah; it held about two quarts. Water from the Rock At the Lord s command, the whole community of Israel left the wilderness of Sina and moved from place to place. Eventually they camped at Rephidim, but there was no water there for the people to drink. So once more the people complained against Moses. Give us water to drink! they demanded. Quiet! Moses replied. Why are you complaining against me? And why are you testing the Lord? But tormented by thirst, they continued to argue with Moses. Why did you bring us out of Egypt? Are you trying to kill us, our children, and our livestock with thirst? Then Moses cried out to the Lord, What should I do with these people? They are ready to stone me! The Lord said to Moses, Walk out in front of the people. Take your staff, the one you used when you struck the water of the Nile, and call some of the elders of Israel to join you. I will stand before you on the rock at Mount Sinai. Strike the rock, and water will come gushing out. Then the people will be able to drink. So Moses struck the rock as he was told, and water gushed out as the elders looked on. Moses named the place Massah (which means test ) and Meribah (which means arguing ) because the people of Israel argued with Moses and tested the Lord by saying, Is the Lord here with us or not? Israel Defeats the Amalekites While the people of Israel were still at Rephidim, the warriors of Amalek
Complain, Complain, Gripe and Complain... attacked them. Moses commanded Joshua, Choose some men to go out and fight the army of Amalek for us. Tomorrow, I will stand at the top of the hill, holding the staff of God in my hand. So Joshua did what Moses had commanded and fought the army of Amalek. Meanwhile, Moses, Aaron, and Hur climbed to the top of a nearby hill. As long as Moses held up the staff in his hand, the Israelites had the advantage. But whenever he dropped his hand, the Amalekites gained the advantage. Moses arms soon became so tired he could no longer hold them up. So Aaron and Hur found a stone for him to sit on. Then they stood on each side of Moses, holding up his hands. So his hands held steady until sunset. As a result, Joshua overwhelmed the army of Amalek in battle. After the victory, the Lord instructed Moses, Write this down on a scroll as a permanent reminder, and read it aloud to Joshua: I will erase the memory of Amalek from under heaven. Moses built an altar there and named it Yahweh-nissi (which means the Lord is my banner ). He said, They have raised their fist against the Lord s throne, so now the Lord will be at war with Amalek generation after generation. Jethro s Visit to Moses Moses father-in-law, Jethro, the priest of Midian, heard about everything God had done for Moses and his people, the Israelites. He heard especially about how the Lord had rescued them from Egypt. Earlier, Moses had sent his wife, Zipporah, and his two sons back to Jethro, who had taken them in. (Moses first son was named Gershom,a for Moses had said when the boy was born, I have been a foreigner in a foreign land. His second son was named Eliezer, for Moses had said, The God of my ancestors was my helper; he rescued me from the sword of Pharaoh. ) Jethro, Moses father-in-law, now came to visit Moses in the wilderness. He brought Moses wife and two sons with him, and they arrived while Moses and the people were camped near the mountain of God. Jethro had sent a message to Moses, saying, I, Jethro, your father-in-law, am coming to see you with your wife and your two sons. So Moses went out to meet his father-in-law. He bowed low and kissed him. They asked about each other s welfare and then went into Moses tent. Moses told his father-in -law everything the Lord had done to Pharaoh and Egypt on behalf of Israel. He also told about all the hardships they had experienced along the way and how the Lord had rescued his people from all their troubles. Jethro was delighted when he heard about all the good things the Lord had done for Israel as he rescued them from the hand of the Egyptians. Praise the Lord, Jethro said, for he has rescued you from the Egyptians and from Pharaoh. Yes, he has rescued Israel from the powerful hand of Egypt! I know now that the Lord is greater than all other gods, because he rescued his peo-
Complain, Complain, Gripe and Complain... ple from the oppression of the proud Egyptians. Then Jethro, Moses father-in-law, brought a burnt offering and sacrifices to God. Aaron and all the elders of Israel came out and joined him in a sacrificial meal in God s presence. Jethro s Wise Advice The next day, Moses took his seat to hear the people s disputes against each other. They waited before him from morning till evening. When Moses father-in-law saw all that Moses was doing for the people, he asked, What are you really accomplishing here? Why are you trying to do all this alone while everyone stands around you from morning till evening? Moses replied, Because the people come to me to get a ruling from God. When a dispute arises, they come to me, and I am the one who settles the case between the quarreling parties. I inform the people of God s decrees and give them his instructions. This is not good! Moses father-inlaw exclaimed. You re going to wear yourself out and the people, too. This job is too heavy a burden for you to handle all by yourself. Now listen to me, and let me give you a word of advice, and may God be with you. You should continue to be the people s representative before God, bringing their disputes to him. Teach them God s decrees, and give them his instructions. Show them how to conduct their lives. But select from all the people some capable, honest men who fear God and hate bribes. Appoint them as leaders over groups of one thousand, one hundred, fifty, and ten. They should always be available to solve the people s common disputes, but have them bring the major cases to you. Let the leaders decide the smaller matters themselves. They will help you carry the load, making the task easier for you. If you follow this advice, and if God commands you to do so, then you will be able to endure the pressures, and all these people will go home in peace. Moses listened to his father-in-law s advice and followed his suggestions. He chose capable men from all over Israel and appointed them as leaders over the people. He put them in charge of groups of one thousand, one hundred, fifty, and ten. These men were always available to solve the people s common disputes. They brought the major cases to Moses, but they took care of the smaller matters themselves. Soon after this, Moses said goodbye to his father-in-law, who returned to his own land. Exactly two months after the Israelites left Egypt, they arrived in the wilderness of Sinai and set up camp there at the base of Mount Sinai.
Geography and Archaeology of the Exodus Once in the desert, the Israelites had to learn to trust God. The route and pace of their journey depended on finding pasture and water for their flocks and herds, food and water for themselves. Bitter Lakes Red Sea (Gulf of Suez) Lake Ballah Lake Timsah Marah? Desert of Shur Desert of Sin Elim? Daphkah? Wadi Feiran Rephidim? Desert of Zin Red Sea (Gulf of Aqaba) Mt. Sinai? (Horeb) Kadesh Barnea Midian? Ezion-Geber After crossing the Red Sea into the wilderness beyond, the Israelites traveled for three days into the Etham wilderness and camped at Marah, a word meaning bitter, (like myrrh). The water there was so bitter the Israelites could not drink it, and the people complained. Moses threw a piece of wood into the water which took away its bitterness, so the people were able to drink from it. The places on this part of the journey are difficult to trace, because the names have been changed so often by passing nomads. The Israelites left Marah and, one month after leaving Egypt, they camped at the oasis of Elim, where there were twelve springs of water and seventy palm trees. Elim (plural of Elah) is Hebrew for terebinths or oak trees. Here, the grumbling continued, this time over the lack of food, as they had already consumed all the corn they had brought with them from Egypt. Yahweh heard their complaints and provided quail, small game birds which fly low to the ground.
Geography and Archaeology of the Exodus The following morning, when the dew dried, the ground was covered with small white flakes or grains resembling hoarfrost. These grains are described as resembling, coriander seed, with a taste like "flour with honey. They left the wilderness of Sin and camped at Dophkah, then camped at Alush and at Rephidim, where they are again short of water. Rephidim (possibly Wadi Feiran, the Sinai's largest wadi or valley) was where Moses struck a rock in order to provide the people with water (Ex 17:1-7). They left Elim and camped beside the Red Sea. They left the Red Sea and camped in the Wilderness of Sin, named for Sin, the Semitic moon god, who was widely worshipped in the region. Here, too, the Amalekites attacked the Israelites (Ex 17:8-16), probably in an attempt to keep the oasis of palm trees and pasture for themselves. Also at Rephidim, the Israelites encountered a roving band called Amalekites in battle. Here we meet Joshua who had gained Moses confidence. Moses instructed Joshua to choose men to battle the raiders. The battle was fought the following day. Moses, observing from a nearby hill, raised his staff, as long as his arms were held upright, Joshua s troops advanced, but when his arms tired and were lowered, his soldiers were forced to retreat.
Geography and Archaeology of the Exodus Finally, Aaron and Hur, standing on either side of Moses, helped him keep his arms upright until victory was achieved. Rephidim was given two names: Massah ( testing ) because the people doubted that God would provide for them, and Meribah ( quarreling ), because the Israelites argued with Moses. with Moses wife and sons. He saw how overburdened Moses was with caring for such a large group of people and offered him sound advice on how to delegate the responsibility to trusted leaders who would take charge of smaller groups. Two months after the Israelites left Egypt they set up camp at the foot of Mount Sinai. At this point, Moses father-in-law, Jethro arrived Some things to think about In Exodus 13:9, Moses tells the Israelites that the Passover will be like a sign on your hand and a reminder on your forehead because you will pass the teaching of the Lord on to others as you remember this time each year. What symbols do we wear? What do they mean? It can be scary to make big changes in our life. Most of the time we avoid it! What are some changes you have had to make in your life? Who did you trust to help you make the changes? God wanted Moses to lead the people away from Egypt and to an unknown future. It can be scary to make big changes in our life. Most of the time we avoid it! What are some changes you have had to make in your life? Who did you trust to help you make the changes? Freedom? Clearly many people lived as slaves in Bible times. It is also clear that God has no use for people using their power to oppress other people. In fact, God has an obvious preference for those who are slaves! In Acts 10:34 Peter states: I truly understand that God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him. How are people held captive today? What are some of the ways you can help those who are held captive?
Some things to think about In Exodus 13:9, Moses tells the Israelites that the Passover will be like a sign on your hand and a reminder on your forehead because you will pass the teaching of the Lord on to others as you remember this time each year. What symbols do we wear? What do they mean? It can be scary to make big changes in our life. Most of the time we avoid it! What are some changes you have had to make in your life? Who did you trust to help you make the changes? God wanted Moses to lead the people away from Egypt and to an unknown future. It can be scary to make big changes in our life. Most of the time we avoid it! What are some changes you have had to make in your life? Who did you trust to help you make the changes? Freedom? Clearly many people lived as slaves in Bible times. It is also clear that God has no use for people using their power to oppress other people. In fact, God has an obvious preference for those who are slaves! In Acts 10:34 Peter states: I truly understand that God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him. How are people held captive today? What are some of the ways you can help those who are held captive?
Review Questions for Kids (and Adults) 1. As the Israelites moved into the desert, they came to Marah. What was the water like? 2. What did God tell Moses to do? 3. What else do you know that has the number 12? 4. What two things did God give the Israelites for food? 5. What were the instructions for collecting the manna on the first day? 6. What happened to the manna that some of the Israelites kept overnight? 7. What did the manna taste like? 8. How long did the Israelites have to eat manna? 9. At Horeb, when the Israelites complained again about being thirsty, what did God tell Moses to do? 10. Did Moses always do exactly what God said? 11. When the Amalekites attacked Israel, who was put in charge of the army? 11. Joshua. 10. No, in the first case Moses did listen and follow God s instructions of how to strike the rock. In the case in Numbers, Moses was told to speak to the rock (Num. 20:8). Rather than following God s instruction Moses struck the rock 2 times. Due to his actions Moses was not allowed to bring Israel into the Promised Land because he did not "treat God as holy in the sight of the sons of Israel" (v. 12). 9. Strike a rock with his shepherd s rod that he used in Egypt. The water then flowed out from the rock. 8. 40 years. 7. Fresh bread with honey. 6. It rotted and got worms in it. 5. They could only gather enough for each person (one omer or about 3 quarts), they had to gather it in the morning, and they couldn t keep it overnight or it would spoil. 4. Quail and manna. 3. 12 tribes, 12 judges, 12 apostles. 2. Moses threw a branch into the water and the water turned from bitter to sweet. 1. It was very bitter. Answers to Questions Answers to Questions Color the Quail D iscussion Points What are the many ways the Israelites benefited from the manna? Describe manna. What does it mean to murmur? What do people murmur about today? What were the Israelites afraid of? Can we depend on God to provide for us? Name two ways that manna benefited the Israelites.