Explore the Bible Lesson Preview October 1, 2017 Sufficient Background: Exodus 15:22-18:27 Lesson: Exodus 16: 1-5, 11-20 Motivation: Who is your source? Who do you turn to in a crisis? God allows physical crises and disappointments, which occur naturally in this world, to turn us more closely to Him. Examination: I. Divine Healer (15:22-27) The Exodus is analogous to our Christian experience. I Corinthians 10:1-6 speaks of all our fathers... all passed through the sea... all were baptized into Moses... all ate the same spiritual food... all drank the same spiritual drink... they drank of that Spiritual Rock... that rock was Christ. All Christians are led out of spiritual bondage, baptized with God s Holy Spirit and are destined for the Promised Land. (Gal. 2:20; Romans 5:10) However, many wander in the Wilderness of Sin because they don t experience the abundant Christian life (John 10:10b), the Spirit-controlled life. One could very well turn the Exodus into a Pilgrims Progress of the Christian experience. While we shouldn t try to find a one-to-one correspondence with all that happened on the Exodus, Paul writes... 1 / 14
these things became our examples... (I Cor. 10:6). A. Disappointment Often Follows Victory They journeyed for three days in the wilderness without finding water. (22) It s been well said that if Satan is unable to rob you of the victory, he ll try to rob you of the joy (John 10:10a). Immediately preceding this account is a marvelous song of praise. The parting of the Red Sea was one of the great all-time victories; now, three days later comes bitter disappointment. B. Disappointment Often Leads to Renewed Dependence So he cried out to the Lord... (25) J. Vernon McGee (Thru the Bible, vol. 1 p. 250) writes: Egypt had been a land of plenty and with water in abundance. Quite suddenly the children of Israel crossed the Red Sea and found themselves in different circumstances. Water was not available anymore. The cisterns of Egypt were gone and they had not found the fountains of living water. I believe this is the experience of every born-again child of God. After salvation, the believer finds that the cisterns of Egypt do not satisfy at all. There is a period of soul-thirst. This is the period of time Paul speaks of in Philippians 3:7 when he says, But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Then the apostle Paul reveals a great thirst, a tremendous yearning, when he says in Philippians 3:10, That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death. This is the experience of the child of God after he is redeemed. C. Disappointment Often Results in Irrational Fears I will not inflict any illnesses on you (26) 1. Fear was provoked by a potential hazard The issue was not simply thirst. If they drank the unsafe bitter water, they may well get sick and die. 2. Fear was heightened by recent memories God had visited plagues of disease upon the Egyptians because of their rebellion. God reassured the Israelites fears with a promise of healing. Jesus makes very clear that we have no right to judge another person (Matt. 7:1) and that disease is not necessarily a sign of personal judgment. (John 9:2-3) 2 / 14
3. Fears Need Not Control Our Lives For I am Yahweh who heals you (26b) This introduces another name of God: Jehovah Rapha. Just because the first water they came upon was poisoned, did not imply that God would not look after their needs. John writes,... perfect love casts out fear (I John 4:18) Paul writes, For God has not given us the spirit of fear... (2 Tim. 1:7). Often disappointment may lead us to give up. D. James Kennedy recalls that the absolute worst experience he ever had in home visitation came on his very first try. He says that it was as if every force of hell was marshaled against him to stop Evangelism Explosion from becoming a reality. God is saying to the children of Israel (and to us) Don t be afraid; instead, depend upon Me. D. Disappointment Often Allows Us to See God s Solution the Lord showed him a tree (25) When you think of the word tree, two immediately come to mind in Scripture: the tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil (Gen. 2:9) and the tree upon which Jesus was crucified (Gal. 3:13). The tree in this account metaphorically looks back to the Garden of Eden with its origin of sin and looks forward to the cross of Jesus with its antidote for sin. The children of Israel continued to the oasis at Elim (27) where there was plenty of water; this reminds us of the spiritual refreshment Christ offers. II. Questioning the Future (16:1-3) The entire Israelite community departed from Elim and came to the Wilderness of Sin, which is between Elim and Sinai, on the fifteenth day of the second month after they had left the land of Egypt. 2 The entire Israelite community grumbled against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness. 3 The Israelites said to them, If only we had died by the Lord s hand in the land of Egypt, when we sat by pots of meat and ate all the bread we wanted. Instead, you brought us into this wilderness to make this whole assembly die of hunger! Normally, we don t eat until we get hungry. The hunger felt by the Hebrews led to complaining and murmuring. In fact, reference is made to their complaints eight times in five 3 / 14
verses. Moses responded your complaints are not against us but against the Lord (8) The church has too many malnourished Christians! They sense a lack of fulfillment, security or significance and instead of seeking nourishment from God, they seek to fix blame on others. Jesus said, Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled (Matt. 5:6). Christians must be convinced that every single need that they have can only be filled by God (James 2:17; Matt. 6:11, 31). III. Questioning Their Obedience 4 Then the Lord said to Moses, I am going to rain bread from heaven for you. The people are to go out each day and gather enough for that day. This way I will test them to see whether or not they will follow My instructions. 5 On the sixth day, when they prepare what they bring in, it will be twice as much as they gather on other days. (16:4-5); The Lord spoke to Moses, 12 I have heard the complaints of the Israelites. Tell them: At twilight, you will eat meat, and in the morning you will eat bread until you are full. Then you will know that I am Yahweh your God. (16:11-12) A. Daily Provision: God was teaching His people to depend on Him every day. Many Christians depend on getting all their spiritual nourishment during one meal a week on Sunday. Complaints can be heard all over America, My preacher is not feeding me! Perhaps God is asking, What about the other twenty meals during the week? When someone is completely dependent on another to feed them, we realize that they re either a baby or an invalid. B. Direct Nourishment The Lord will give you meat (8) Many commentators have speculated as to the nature of the manna and the source of the quail. We must understand that it was direct provision from God. (Believer s Study Bible, p. 106): While the Lord may have used natural means to provide the substance, the characteristics of manna, as described in the text, do not fit any purely natural phenomenon. The very fact that it would not remain edible overnight, except on the Sabbath eve, or that it appeared every day except the Sabbath for 40 years and then suddenly ceased when they entered Canaan, shows that it was a miraculous 4 / 14
provision by God. The Lord used this gift to sanctify His Sabbath. The manna was also God s provision for the sustaining of physical life. Food, next to water, was the most basic need of the people. Jesus presented Himself as the true Manna that provides eternal life (cf. V. 4: John 6:26-59). Unfortunately, too many Christians are looking to the fleshpots of their old sinful life to provide them the satisfaction that only Christ can give (2 Cor. 5:17; John 6:31-37) IV. Questioning the Provision So at evening quail came and covered the camp. In the morning there was a layer of dew all around the camp. 14 When the layer of dew evaporated, there were fine flakes on the desert surface, as fine as frost on the ground. 15 When the Israelites saw it, they asked one another, What is it? because they didn t know what it was. Moses told them, It is the bread the Lord has given you to eat. 16 This is what the Lord has commanded: Gather as much of it as each person needs to eat. You may take two quarts per individual, according to the number of people each of you has in his tent. 17 So the Israelites did this. Some gathered a lot, some a little. 18 When they measured it by quarts, the person who gathered a lot had no surplus, and the person who gathered a little had no shortage. Each gathered as much as he needed to eat. (16:13-18) There s a lesson in both obedience and sharing. First, we are to be obedient to God s schedule. He said to daily gather; it was to be a regular habit. But I spend Sundays on my boat! Obedience means doing what you re told to do when you re told to do it with the right heart attitude (Hebrews 10:19-25). V. Questioning the Next Meal 5 / 14
19 Moses said to them, No one is to let any of it remain until morning. 20 But they didn t listen to Moses; some people left part of it until morning, and it bred worms and smelled. Therefore Moses was angry with them. (16:19-20) Also, it s a lesson in sharing. A Christian will never prosper by hoarding His blessings. James 1:22-25 Jesus said, Freely you have received, freely give (Matt. 10:8) During Hurricane Harvey and the clean-up, church members have been available to share talents, time, and resources. Many hoarded resources were, ironically, spoiled by the flooding. VI. Lessons in Provision (16:21-35) A. Nourishment is Not Available Just Anywhere Yet on the seventh day some of the people went out to gather, but they did not find any. (27) How many times have you heard I can worship God just as well at the lake as in a church? It sounds logical, maybe even theological. But, it s just not true if being at the lake means missing church. The people had tangible proof that the manna would be there every morning; so, regardless of God s instructions (25-26), they went out on the Sabbath to gather nourishment. They quickly found that their feelings, logic and desires meant absolutely nothing in the face of God s clear Word. God is not a divine bellboy who brings room service according to our schedule! He wants us to be in His House on His Day on a regular basis. B. Nourishment is to be Remembered so that they may see the bread I fed you in the wilderness (32). Aaron was instructed to keep samples of God s provision so that the people would not forget. It s important that we too, keep reminders of God s faithfulness. When we face hard times, like the aftermath of Harvey, we gain nourishment from God s past faithfulness. VII. Present Guide (17:1-7) Take delight in the Lord, and He will give you your heart s desires. (Ps. 37:4) A. Desires Are Natural But the people thirsted there for water (3) We live in a thirsty world that is crying out to every source for a drink of water. Unfortunately, they are looking for 6 / 14
love in all the wrong places. B. Desires Denied Lead to Inappropriate Behavior In a little while they will stone me! (4) We are driven to fulfill our desires. People who fulfill them outside of Christ turn to sin. (Gal. 5:19-21) C. Desires Can Only Truly Be Satisfied in Christ. We read earlier in I Cor. 10:6 that the Rock from which the people drank was Christ. (6) J. Vernon McGee makes the following points: 1. The Rock is a beautiful portrait of the Lord Jesus Christ Ps. 61:2 lead me to the rock that is higher than I ; Ps. 78:35 God was their rock ; I Peter 2:6 I lay in Zion a chief cornerstone ; I Cor. 3:11 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 2. The Rock will not provide water unless smitten. Acknowledging Jesus or even admiring Him will do no spiritual good. Surely He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows. Yet we esteemed Him stricken. Smitten by God, and afflicted. But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities (Isa. 53:4-5a). 3. The Rock Provides Living Water, We Must Drink. Ho! Everyone who thirsts, come to the waters... Isa. 55:1; Whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst (John 4:14a, 7:37-39; Rev. 22:17) Christ has done everything necessary for our salvation (John 19:30); it is our responsibility to respond in faith ( Thru the Bible, vol. 1, p. 257) VIII. Victory Banner (17:8-16) 7 / 14
A. Realize the Enemy (8) 1. WHO Amalek came Explore the Bible Commentary (Fall, 1998), p. 87: Amalek attacked the people of God. The tribe that descended from Amalek, or the Amalekites, was related to the tribes of Jacob or Israel. Amalek was a grandson of Esau (Gen. 36:12). That made him the great-nephew of Jacob and a cousin to the sons of Jacob who were the founders of the tribes of the Israelites. (Exodus 17:15; Deut. 25:17 19) The Amalekites are mentioned about 25 times in the Old Testament. They were a nomadic people who roamed the entire Sinai Peninsula, both its northern and southern regions. They made periodic raids on the settled population of southern Palestine where the tribes of Judah and Simeon later settled. (I Sam. 15; II Sam. 1:1-16) J. Vernon McGee states that the Amalekites represent the flesh Esau was a picture of the flesh. As Israel could not overcome Amalek by their own efforts, neither can you or I overcome the flesh by our own efforts. The flesh wars against the spirit and the spirit against the flesh. Paul explains it in Galatians 5:17, For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. This is the picture we have in the wilderness as Israel and Amalek war against each other. ( Thru the Bible, vol. 1, p. 237-8) (Rom. 7:18-25) 2. WHAT and fought against Israel (8) God knew that His children were not ready to go to war with Egypt (13:17); however, He was ready to begin their on-the-job training in warfare. Notice that the Amalekites attacked Israel, not vice-versa. Israel did not particularly want to fight; but they had little choice. God s children could not allow hit and run skirmishes by these nomadic raiders to continue. By choosing to engage the enemy, God won peace for His people throughout the remainder of the book of Exodus. B. Recruit the Enlisted - When you re under attack, don t be afraid to ask for help! 8 / 14
1. Joshua (9) - This is the first mention of the leader who will eventually take the people into Canaan. His name means God is our Salvation the Old Testament equivalent to the name Jesus. (Ex. 14:13) When faced with a crisis, 80-year-old Moses did not feel obligated to pick-up a sword and go fight; instead, he wisely chose a warrior to select other fighting men. 2. Aaron and Hur (10) Aaron has been beside Moses through the entire experience. Hur is a man we will read of again (Exodus 24:14). Together, Aaron and Hur provide a beautiful word picture of faithful supporters lifting up a leader. a. They provided company - Moses, Aaron and Hur went up to the top of the hill (10) Almost any task is more pleasant when you have someone with you. Aaron and Hur went to the mountain with Moses with no advance notice of what they were to do. They knew that they needed to be with Moses. b. They provided labor - they took a stone and put it under him (12) Here are two guys that don t have to be heroes. They didn t say, Look Moses, if you can t hold up the rod, give it to one of us. In fact, they provided logistical support so that their leader could more efficiently accomplish what God had called him to do. (Acts 6:4) c. They provided support Then Aaron and Hur supported his hands, one on one side, and the other on the other side, so that his hands remained steady until the sun went down. (12) Aaron and Hur lifting up Moses hands is a vivid portrait of what so many laypeople do each week for their pastor. Prayer support, encouraging words, and physical help all combine to free God s leader to do what he has been called to do. 3. The Soldiers Select some men for us and go fight against Amalek. (9) The only guys fighting and (presumably) dying in this account are Joshua and the chosen soldiers. Notice that they were not volunteers. One moment they were sitting around the cook-fire with the family, and the next they were out on the field of battle. God needs people who will serve, largely without recognition, in the forefront of the battle. C. Recognize the Environment (11-12) - Often, when we re attacked spiritually, we fail to understand the nature of the attack. To change the analogy, we treat the symptoms instead of the sickness. At first, the importance of Moses involvement did not seem to be realized. The 9 / 14
battle ebbed and flowed until Aaron and Hur finally recognized the pattern and took steps to victory. D. Rely Upon the Enabler (15) - Another name of God is introduced in verse 15: Jehovah Nissi The Lord is My Banner. (Ps. 20:5; Rom. 8:1-17) J. Vernon McGee, ( Thru the Bible, vol. 1, p. 258): Careful observation reveals that the battle was actually fought on top of the mountain. It was fought by prayer. This battle was not won by Israel s fighting ability because they were not experienced soldiers nor adept at warfare yet. This battle was fought and won by Moses. The moment Moses was no longer able to hold his hands up, the children of Israel began to lose the fight. If it had not been for Moses, Israel would have lost the battle. The important thing to remember is that the Holy Spirit is the only one who can give us victory over the flesh. Victory comes as the believer walks in the Spirit. When you and I act independently of the Spirit, Amalek, or the flesh, wins an easy victory. When Moses hands were held up, the Israelites won. You and I never will be able to overcome the flesh. It is only the Spirit of God who can do that. E. Remember the Event Write this down on a scroll as a reminder... (14) A major source of encouragement and strength, when you feel under attack, is the faithfulness of God in past trials. Unless we write these things down, Satan will do his best to help us forget them. Hindsight is 20/20. Our view of the future is shaped by our remembrance of the past. This is a good passage to reaffirm Moses writing of the Pentateuch. (Deut. 28:58, 31:24; Mark 10:3-5; John 5:45-46; Luke 24:44-50) IX. How to be a Good In-Law (18:1-27) A. Be Sensitive to What s Going On Moses father-in-law Jethro, the priest of Midian, heard about everything that God had done for Moses... (1) A good in-law is not nosy or intrusive, but, is aware. They try to listen for the positive rather than the negative. A good in-law doesn t try to find out dirt in order to criticize; instead, he/she provides a listening ear in order to console, counsel or intercede in prayer. B. Respect the New Home Now Jethro, Moses father-in-law, had taken in Zipporah, Moses wife, after he had sent her back (2) We read nothing of Zipporah after she calls Moses her bloody husband in 4:26. Whether she left in a huff or was sent home by Moses, 10 / 14
she had been separated from her husband since that time. Jethro provided a haven for his daughter; but as soon as Moses came to the land of Midian, Jethro took the initiative to reunite them. This is a key principal for Jesus declared, So then they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore, what God has joined together, let not man separate. (Matt. 19:6) The leave and cleave principle is first stated in Genesis 2:24. A good in-law will respect the sanctity of the new family unit and not encourage divided loyalties. C. Love Your New Children So Moses went out to meet his father-in-law, bowed down, and then kissed him. (7) Whatever the relationship between Moses and Zipporah (he didn t kiss her or the kids!), the son and father-in-law seem to get along famously. As Christians, it is our responsibility to show unconditional love; a good place for that love to start is in the home. D. Rejoice Over God s Blessings Jethro rejoiced over all the good things the Lord had done for Israel (9) A poor in-law plays affections against one another. Jethro is genuinely happy, for God is at work in Moses life. From the outside looking in on a young married couple, it is too easy to criticize, become judgmental or try to hastily correct. A wise in-law emphasizes the positive. E. Worship God Together Then Jethro, Moses father-in-law, brought a burnt offering and sacrifices to God. (12) Jethro s religious background is hard to determine. He was a priest of Midian ; but, it seems that only now was he worshipping Jehovah as greater than all the gods. (11) When a new son-in-law or daughter-in-law comes from a different spiritual background, it helps to establish some common ground and let them see the difference Christ makes in one s life. F. Help to Resolve Problems - Meddling in-laws often want to start here. It s easy to see all the problems and very tempting to intervene. However, notice the steps that Jethro took: 1. He observed When Moses father-in-law saw everything he was doing (14) Verse 13 records that Moses sat in judgment from morning until evening. Jethro didn t just immediately rush up and criticize. He silently sat and observed making sure he understood the whole picture. 11 / 14
2. He asked questions What is this thing you re doing for the people? (14b) Jethro knew very well what was happening. In fact, he already had a plan devised to help. But instead of rushing to judgment, he allowed Moses to explain his position. 3. He offered a plan. Instead of just reprimanding What you re doing is not good (17), he shared a positive alternative. a. A plan in Moses best interest - the task is too heavy for you (18). Jethro made it abundantly clear that his suggestion was offered, not to criticize, but to help his son-in-law. b. A plan with long-range implications - teach them the way to live and what they must do (20) Jethro did not offer a band-aid. Before he offered any suggestions he carefully thought through the long-term implications. c. A plan with God s approval - If you do this, and God so directs you (23) Jethro respected Moses judgment. He offered a suggestion and said Pray about it. See if God approves. G. Know When to Leave - Just as Jethro didn t arrive too soon, so he didn t stay too late (27) In-laws need to be available, but not smothering. Application 1. Spiritual attacks may happen when you least expect it. 2. When under attack, know who you can count on for support 12 / 14
3. The battle is the Lord s. Leader Pack: Item 1: Map: The Route of the Exodus Illustrator: p. 46 The Lure of Egypt Notes: **You may access David s Lesson Preview in MP3 format at: www.hfbcbiblestudy.or g ; Dates: 8/30 11/15 Midlink on Wednesdays; 10/15 First Camp Preschool; 10/20 Men s Dinner @ Loop; 10/22 - Parent Commitment; 10/31 Light the Night; 11/2 Staff Appreciation @ Hunt; 11/5 MIYCO; 11/9 Veteran s Day; 11/11 Summit Hoedown; 11/12 Preschool DTW Luncheon; 11/19 Christmas Store Collection Day; 11/23-24 Thanksgiving Holiday, Offices Closed; 11/30 Women s Christmas Event @ Loop; 12/2 Deacon s Christmas Party; 12/12 FFEL Christmas Sing-a-long; 12/24 Christmas Eve Services 2, 4 & 6pm; 12/25-26 13 / 14
Christmas Holiday, offices closed. 14 / 14