March 08, 2025
Last week, we left Israel on the edge of the desert of Shur. They had just witnessed the power of God in the destruction of the Egyptian Army in the Red Sea and now the greatest adventure of their lives was about to begin.
What do you think the people expected? An easy, pothole free, oasis on every corner, freeway to the Promised Land? No problems, no struggles, no inconveniences? Surely a God who parts seas can provide a trouble-free journey to the Land of Milk and Honey.
While their focus was getting to the “Promised Land” quickly and painlessly, God had other plans. Remember that God’s Master Plan was for his people - through the covenant relationship - to be a blessing to the world.
Before they could fulfill their mission, the rough edges were going to have to be smoothed and refined, so, Yahweh prepared a test – an opportunity for Israel to grow her faith…. Yahweh was teaching his people to trust him.
Exodus 15:22b-24 - … For three days they traveled in the desert without finding water. When they came to Marah, they could not drink its water because it was bitter. So, the people grumbled against Moses, saying, "What are we to drink?"
The cycle, which began in Egypt continued:
• God does something great….. The people rejoice.
• An apparent obstacle appears…. The people complain.
• God does something great….. The people rejoice.
Moses went to Yahweh and Yahweh showed him a piece of wood, which Moses threw into the water. The once bitter water became sweet ---- YAY!!
WASH. RINSE. REPEAT.
It was at Marah that Yahweh gave the people their 1st law:
Exodus 15:26 - "If you listen carefully to the voice of Yahweh your God and do what is right in his eyes, if you pay attention to his commands and keep all his decrees, I will not bring on you any of the diseases I brought on the Egyptians, for I am Yahweh, who heals you."
Was this a promise of health for health’s sake? Was health or lack of disease the end goal? Again, I would argue no. Certainly, good health is a nice side benefit, but I am convinced that God’s main purpose was to create a witnessing opportunity.
Through obedience Israel would experience good health – the nations would notice that Israel was not suffering from the ailments they suffered from and they would wonder why – enter witnessing opportunity – enter blessing.
Let’s get this straight - land, nationhood, health, prosperity and every other blessing from Yahweh were NOT the end goal. God did not rescue Israel from Egypt just so that they could sit fat and happy in Palestine. Every blessing Yahweh bestowed on Israel were to be the means by which he would ultimately bless the world.
The people had one set of expectations (land, nationhood, prosperity) while God had a different set of expectations (covenant relationship ? sacred trust ? bless the world). These expectations were in conflict – never to be fully resolved.
The people came to Elim where there were 12 springs and 70 Palm trees and they camped near the water.
6 weeks later they left Elim and headed into the desert of Sin – their destination, Mount Sinai.
It didn’t take long before grumbling began to spread throughout the camp. This time the problem was a lack of food.
To Moses and Aaron the people went: “If only Yahweh had killed us in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the pots of meat and ate bread until we were full! You have brought us to this desert to kill us all with hunger.”
To Yahweh Moses and Aaron went and Yahweh responded: “I will rain down bread from heaven. Tell the people that they are to gather only enough for each day. On the 6th day they are to gather twice as much. This will be a test to see whether they will follow my instructions.”
Back to the people Moses and Aaron went: "In the evening you will know that it was Yahweh who brought you out of Egypt, and in the morning you will see his glory, because he has heard your grumbling against him…. Don’t you realize that you are not grumbling against us, but against Yahweh? Now come before Yahweh, because he has heard your grumbling."
While Aaron was speaking, the Israelites looked toward the desert and saw the glory of God appearing in the cloud.
That evening quail covered the camp and in the morning, dew covered the ground. When the dew evaporated, the ground was covered by what looked like frost. The people said to each other, “What is it?”
WASH. RINSE. REPEAT
“This is the bread Yahweh has given you to eat. Gather enough for each day, but no more.”
However, some of them paid no attention to Moses; they kept part of it until morning, but it was full of maggots and began to smell.
When the 6th day came everyone gathered twice as much. When the leaders reported this to Moses, he responded: “This is what Yahweh commanded. Tomorrow is a day of rest, a holy Sabbath to Yahweh. Save what is left for tomorrow. It will not stink or get maggots.”
The next day Moses provided a further explanation: “Today is a Sabbath to Yahweh. You will not find any bread on the ground today. 6 days you are to gather bread, but on the 7th, there won’t be any.
Nevertheless, some of the people went out on the 7th day to gather it, but they found none.
Then Yahweh spoke to Moses, "How long will you (the people) refuse to keep my commands and laws? I have given you the Sabbath and have provided enough bread for 2 days. Everyone is to stay home today and not go out.”
So, the people rested on the 7th day.
The people of Israel called the bread manna. It looked like coriander seed and tasted like wafers made with honey.
The Israelites ate manna for 40 years, until they reached the border of Canaan.
Again, the people set out and camped at Rephidim, but there was no water. Instead of saying, “Hey, this happened once before and Yahweh came through.” they began to complain.
To Moses and Aaron they went: "Why did you bring us out of Egypt, to kill us and our children and our livestock with thirst?"
To Yahweh Moses went: “What am I supposed to do with these people? They are about to stone me.”
“Go ahead of the people. Take some of the elders with you along with your staff. I will stand before you at the rock of Horeb. Strike the rock and water will come out for the people to drink.”
WASH. RINSE. REPEAT.
• Ellen White {PP 292-293}: God had promised to be their God, to take them to Himself as a people, and to lead them to a large and good land; but they were ready to faint at every obstacle encountered in the way to that land. In a marvelous manner He had brought them out from their bondage in Egypt, that He might elevate and ennoble them and make them a praise in the earth. But it was necessary for them to encounter difficulties and to endure privations. God was bringing them from a state of degradation and fitting them to occupy an honorable place among the nations and to receive important and sacred trusts. Had they possessed faith in Him, in view of all that He had wrought for them, they would cheerfully have borne inconvenience, privation, and even real suffering; but they were unwilling to trust the Lord any further than they could witness the continual evidences of His power. They forgot their bitter service in Egypt. They forgot the goodness and power of God displayed in their behalf in their deliverance from bondage. They forgot how their children had been spared when the destroying angel slew all the first-born of Egypt. They forgot the grand exhibition of divine power at the Red Sea. They forgot that while they had crossed safely in the path that had been opened for them, the armies of their enemies, attempting to follow them, had been overwhelmed by the waters of the sea. They saw and felt only their present inconveniences and trials; and instead of saying, "God has done great things for us; whereas we were slaves, He is making of us a great nation," they talked of the hardness of the way, and wondered when their weary pilgrimage would end. Many look back to the Israelites, and marvel at their unbelief and murmuring, feeling that they themselves would not have been so ungrateful; but when their faith is tested, even by little trials, they manifest no more faith or patience than did ancient Israel. When brought into strait places, they murmur at the process by which God has chosen to purify them. Though their present needs are supplied, many are unwilling to trust God for the future.
Malachi 3:3a - He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver;
Hmmm……………….
Before reaching Sinai a couple of events took place:
• The Amalekites attacked Israel at Rephidim. Moses stood on the top of a hill holding the staff of God. As long as his arms were raised, Israel were winning. Whenever he lowered his hands, the Amalekites were winning. When Moses' hands grew tired, Aaron and Hur rolled a rock over for him to sit on, then they held his hands up - they did this until sunset. Joshua overcame the Amalekite army with the sword. Yahweh instructed Moses to write a record of the events and then Moses built an altar and called it “Yahweh is my Banner.”
• Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, gave him some advice regarding the managing of Israel: "You are going to wear yourself out. You cannot handle this workload alone. You must be the people’s representative before God and bring their disputes to him. Teach them the decrees and laws, show them the way to live and the duties they are to perform. Select capable men to help you – God-fearing and trustworthy men - men who hate dishonest gain – and appoint them over 1,000’s, 100’s, 50’s, and 10’s. They are to serve as judges – the simple cases they can decide and will only bring the most difficult cases to you. That will make your load lighter, because they will share it with you." Moses listened to Jethro and did everything he suggested.
In the 3rd month after the Israelites left Egypt they came to the Desert of Sinai.
Until Next Time………
