Show Me Your Glory M Lessons from the Life of Moses Inductive Discovery Lesson 8 oses climbed the nearest rise to get a better vantage point. With his back to the sun just breaking over the hills, he gazed out at the sea looking for traces of the path they had just followed. The vast expanse of blue rippled and rolled over the depths as usual. A wide swathe of sand, pounded down by millions of footprints, was the only physical evidence left that God s people had, indeed, walked through the sea. Broken chariot wheels and lifeless bodies littered the shore in stark proof of God s power over Pharaoh and his army. It was just as God said it would be. When Israel saw their enemy was drowned and they were delivered, a wave of joy and praise flooded over them. Moses led the people in a song of praise to God their God! For the first time in history, the nation of Israel had a reason to sing and celebrate the glory of God. Can you imagine the sound of their praises echoing into the hills? Background After crossing through the Red Sea, Moses led the people south into the wilderness of Shur. They traveled for three dusty days without seeing water. Finally they found water but it was brackish and undrinkable. They named the place Marah ( bitter ) and began to complain. Moses cried out to the Lord and the Lord told him to throw a tree into the water. Moses obeyed without question, and the waters became sweet. Moses told the people that this was a learning experience; a test that the Lord allowed to show them to trust and obey Him. Resuming the journey, they came to an oasis called Elim. This was much more to their liking for there were freshwater springs and a luxurious grove of date palms. We aren t told how long they camped at Elim, but they went out from there refreshed and reasonably optimistic. Then Moses took a route that led them further south into the wilderness of Sin ( Zen ). By now, they were into the second month of their journey. For a people unused to travel we can understand that the novelty had worn off and nerves were beginning to fray. But they were not unacquainted with hardship and suffering. That had been the reality of their life in Egypt, but now they were looking back through rose-colored glasses. For the children of Israel, it was far too soon in their spiritual journey to be asking are we there yet? Exodus Ch. 16:1-36 Read the entire passage in one sitting. If possible, read it again from a different Bible translation. Briefly describe in your own words what is happening. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1
Write down your OBSERVATIONS Read the section and record what you see. Use the first column to keep track of what you find in the Bible passage. (Who? What? When? Where?) Look for clues that tell you when and where the story is taking place. What events are recorded? Who is mentioned and what role do they play? What choices do they make? Do they succeed or fail? How do they respond to circumstances? What attitudes or motives do they display? Use the second column to record information you gather from other sources. Are more details of the story recorded somewhere else in the Bible? What else can you discover about the people and places mentioned? You may want to look up names and places in a Bible dictionary, map or encyclopedia. You can also use this section to jot down your own thoughts and impressions about people and events. Imagine the people, places and events you read about. Don t use your imagination to produce facts, but use it to bring those biblical facts to life. Exodus 16:1-7 Facts from the passage: My Research and Personal Observations: - - - - - - - - - - Exodus 16:8-21 Facts from the passage: My Research and Personal Observations: 2
Exodus 16:8-21 (continued) Facts from the passage: My Research and Personal Observations: Exodus 16:22-36 Facts from the passage: My Research and Personal Observations: --------- --------- 3
Moses Character Profile This section is provided so that you can get to know Moses, the man. Use the suggested areas on the chart below to track what you have observed about Moses this week. Characteristics/Personality Traits: Training/Growth: Obstacles/Challenges: Accomplishments/Failures: Attitudes/Motives: Relationship with God/With Others: 4
INTERPRETATION What does it mean? Look for a spiritual lesson. Be careful not to read into the Bible an idea that is not there. Examine each verse in light of the verses around it. To help you find a spiritual lesson, ask questions such as, Is there a command to obey? A promise to claim? A condition to that promise? Is there a warning to heed? An example to follow or avoid? Looking at a character, ask questions such as, How did God deal with this person? How did they respond to their circumstances? What strengths or talents are revealed? What faults are exposed? Did they learn from their failures? Who did they depend on? How did they influence others? What did they accomplish? State the lesson in one simple sentence. APPLICATION How does it apply to me? We don t study the Bible just to gather information we want to spiritually grow. Our heart needs to be open to change. The only way to move truth off the pages of your Bible and into your life is to put it into action. To apply a spiritual lesson, we must examine ourselves and take deliberate steps to do something with what we have learned. Ask yourself: Is this a new lesson, or does it reinforce what I already know? What does it challenge me to do? Does it point out error in my attitude or actions? What changes does it require? Think of how the lesson relates to you and what specific course of action you will take. Write your application in the form of a question to make it personal. Exodus 16:1-7 Lesson: Application: Exodus 16:8-21 Lesson: Application: Exodus 16:22-36 Lesson: Application: 5
Summary Write a simple sentence that summarizes what the passage is about. Give a title to the chapters that will help you personally to remember them. Take a Closer Look Then Moses said to Aaron, Say to all the congregation Come near before the Lord, for He has heard your grumblings. Exodus 16:9 NAS How about those children of Israel? One day they re singing praise songs along with Moses. The Lord is my strength and song with unfailing love You will lead Your people You will guide them in Your strength Next thing you know, they re complaining how terrible life has been since leaving Egypt. Do something Moses, they complain. You got us into this mess! Moses wise response hit the nail right on the head. He wasn t the one they were complaining about they were grumbling at God. Have you ever caught yourself in a similar situation? Let s look closer and take to heart what this murmuring multitude can teach us about our own attitude in tough times. What started this bout of complaining? Read Exodus 15:27 16:1 and describe the surroundings they had just left and the environment they traveled to. For some of us, change can be difficult. Adapting to new situations or settings takes time, especially if we were comfortable in our previous place. Times of change require vigilance in our attitude. For others, the absence of change spells trouble in the attitude department. Expectations aren t met, desires go unfulfilled, or solutions seem out of reach. Stop and think about it. For you personally, when are you most prone to complain? 6
God led Moses into the wilderness along with the people. He didn t give Moses his own private stash of food and water to sustain him since he was the leader. He didn t have an air-conditioned tent to escape the heat. Moses got tired, hungry and thirsty just like everyone else, but his response in the place where God had them was very different. Wilderness experiences can bring out the worst in us, or they can develop the best in us. We decide. When God chooses trials (the wilderness) for our spiritual growth, how can we cooperate with Him? Here are three areas to consider. The Command: Come near Moses told the people to come near before the Lord. The basic meaning of the word is to get close enough to see, speak or touch. It describes intimate closeness with unhindered access. Not only does God command us to come near, He permits us to come near! In what ways can we come near to the Lord in times of trouble? Reflect on the following scriptures and share what you find. (Note: Look for actions and attitude.) Psalm 119:145-149 Psalm 145:18 John 15:4 Hebrews 4:16 James 4:8 The Promise: He has heard Moses assured the people that God heard them. A close examination of this word tells us two things about the way God listens. First, He gives you His undivided attention. Whenever we cry out, God hears every word uttered and every thought left unspoken. Second, He listens with divine wisdom. He examines the merits of our case and renders a just decision. In light of the truth that God listens with undivided attention and divine wisdom, what should be our attitude in prayer? Reflect on the following scriptures and share what you find. Psalm 139:23-24 Ecclesiastes 5:2 Psalm 56:8-11 Isaiah 57:15 Matthew 26:39 7
The Warning: Your grumblings No in-depth word study is necessary to understand the meaning of the word grumblings. You won t find subtle shades of meaning or varying degrees of intensity. In stark plain English, it means obstinate complaining. Whining. Sadly, we understand the definition of that word all too well. The only emphasis we might put on this word is the fact that it is plural. For the children of Israel, grumbling was a perpetual problem a relentless habit they indulged to the point of testing God and exasperating Moses. While most of us agree that complaining is unpleasant to hear, we generally view it as a petty annoyance. What does the Bible say about it? Reflect on the following verses and share what you find. (Warning: What you re about to read may be very convicting!) Proverbs 18:2 Proverbs 19:3 Lamentations 3:38-40 Philippians 2:13-14 What should you do the next time you re tempted to complain? Reflect on the following scriptures and explain, in your own words, how to resist the urge to grumble. Philippians 4:11-13 1 Corinthians 10:10, 12-13 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 In answer to their complaints, Moses told the people (Exodus 16:6-7) that they would have daily reminders of God s power and provision in their lives. Take some time to think about that. What daily reminders do you have that God is taking care of you? List what comes to mind. Reflecting on the things you just listed, why not take a moment to write the Lord a thank-you note? 8
Something to Think About... The attitude we take toward our difficulties determines which direction life will go, for what life does to us depends on what life finds in us. If we trust God and obey His Word, we ll pass the test and grow; but if in unbelief we complain and disobey the Lord, we'll fail the test and remain immature. 1 - Warren Wiersbe - God s Word Bearing Fruit For you, personally, what has been the most important lesson from this study? How will you put what you have discovered into practice? 1 Warren Wiersbe, Bible Exposition Commentary, (Cook Communications, 2001) pg. 208 9
Message Notes: Prayer Requests: 10
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