Dr. Tom Doubt
July 16, 1995
TO BE LIKE A CAMEL
Exodus 17:1-6
BACKGROUND: As you are opening you Bibles to the 17th chapter of Exodus, allow me to provide you with some background for the passage.
1. God had delivered the Israelites from captivity in Egypt; once they had been slaves, but now they were free.
2. The Lord was using Moses to guide them through their wilderness journey. But it was a journey with some hardships that caused the Israelites to rebel against both Moses and God.
3. In chapter 16 they complained bitterly about the lack of food after 45 days in the Wilderness of Sin. God provided them meat in the evening (16:13) and bread in the morning (16:14-15).
4. Now we pick up the story as the Israelites continued their journey and ran out of water.
Scriptural Passage: EXODUS 17: 1-6
INTRODUCTION
A. CAMELS ARE THE KIND OF ANIMAL IDEALLY SUITED TO LONG, HARD JOURNEYS. The life they lead is a bit like that faced by the Israelites for 40 years in the wilderness, or of the life of this church.
1. Unknown exactly when camels introduced into the Middle East. Perhaps it was when the Midianites invaded the land of Israel around 2000 BC. Certainly the type of camel was the dromedary, or one-humped variety.
2. Genesis 24 mentions the use of camels when Abraham sent his servant to Nahor in Mesopotamia in search for a wife for his son Isaac.
3. There are four characteristics of a camel that bear a remarkable similarity to what is required of a believer. These traits will be the focus of our message this morning.
a. They rely on a master to lead them, and to keep them from wandering aimlessly.
b. They also rely on the master to provide them with their daily food & water.
c. Their eyes are always turned upward as they travel.
d. The knobby knees of a camel are ideally suited for kneeling on a frequent basis.
4. You might, at this point, begin to wonder if this sermon is going to be some kind of parable. Yes, it is; we are the camels.
5. As we examine the four traits of a camel it is important for us to reflect on how these same characteristics are important in our own lives.
6. Today, as you begin a new & exciting journey in the life of the church it is imperative that everyone, leaders and followers, grasp the significance of how these four characteristics contribute to a successful journey.
THESIS: When we turn our lives over to the Great Master, our Lord Jesus Christ, we can successfully endure and complete any journey, no matter how rough the road may appear.
MESSAGE:
A. WHY DOES A CAMEL NEED TO BE LED? I imagine that this question is probably not high on your daily list. You may have never even thought about it before, unless of course, you have taken some philosophy course!!!
1. Each day when the camel gets up, it does not know where it will be going, what kind of road lies ahead, or how much of a burden will be placed on its back. Its plight is not all that different from what we humans face each day.
a. The camel relies on a master to guide it in the proper direction. Without such guidance it would wander aimlessly and get lost.
b. A group of camels in a caravan may be following each other in a straight line, but each is under the guidance of to master. Obedience to the master’s commands ensures that they all move in the same direction.
2. Like us, every camel begins life as a wild, untamed creature. It must be domesticated and trained before it can be of service to the master.
a. Intrinsic rebellion is brought under control. The camel is taught understanding and obedience. Understanding that the master is in charge, and obedience to his commands.
b. The bridle and harness may initially be uncomfortable, but as the animal begins to understand and obey, there is no longer any discomfort, but rather, acceptance. The harness becomes a gentle reminder of where the master intends the camel to go.
3. ILLUSTRATION: Crossing of Red Sea (Exodus 14)
a. The Lord spoke through Moses to lead this rag-tag people out of the land of Egypt. They gained an understanding of God and obeyed his command to leave at night (Ex. 12:31).
b. Pharaoh and his army pursued the Israelites and caught up with them at Pi Hahiroth on the shore of the Red Sea (14:9). The people were afraid.
c. It was at this point that they became mutinous and said to Moses: “.. Have you taken us away to die in the wilderness?” (14:11).
d. At that moment, God pulled slightly on the reins to remind them that He was in charge. Moses told them that “the Lord will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace” (14:14). Lifting his rod, Moses parted the Red Sea; and the Israelites knew that the Divine Master would guide them from harm’s way. The children of Israel marched confidently between those columns of water.
e. No one was wearing a life vest because they were confident that God would keep the sea parted for them.
4. ILLUSTRATION: unlike story of the drought-stricken farmers
a. No rain had fallen for weeks and the crops of the farmers began to wither and die.
b. The congregation of that rural church decided to meet one Sunday evening and pray for rain. They all gathered.
c. Preacher looked out over the congregation and, pointing to them, asked the telling question. “If you believe in the power of prayer, how is it that none of you brought umbrellas?”
d. Trust and confidence in the Lord will produce actions demonstrating our reliance on His leadership. Even the camel will turn its head to receive the master’s bridle.
B. HOW DOES A CAMEL GET ITS FOOD & WATER? These elements are necessary for strength & endurance, but they are not easily obtained by an individual camel.
1. Since a camel is incapable of providing for its own nourishment, it must rely on the master to provide for its needs.
a. The right kinds of food, in the right amounts, are necessary for the camel to do its job. While the whole meal plan may not be evident to the camel, it comes to realize that the master will take care of its needs.
b. No matter how often the camel eats, there will always be a need to eat again sometime. The daily needs are always met. You see, the master knows that a camel can go a long time without food or water, but he never intends to let his servant get to the point of starvation or dehydration before resupplying him.
c. This dependence provides us a whole new meaning to Matthew 6:11 “give us this day our daily bread”
2. ILLUSTRATION: It was exactly this daily food & water that God provided to the Israelites, even if their faith was, at times, weak.
a. After 45 days in the desert the Israelites were running low on supplies. Weakened in their faith of God’s providential care, they began to complain to Moses.
b. God heard their complaints, and provided bread and meat. Each day and each night food was delivered. (16:4).
c. Similarly, in the 17th chapter the Israelites were provided drinking water when Moses struck the rock at Horeb (16:6).
d. Out of the emptiness and desolation of the wilderness, God provided for food & water from the unlikely sources of breading coming from the sky, and water from a rock. Yet in human weakness, people questioned how they could possibly be cared for under such dire circumstances.
e. There are times when we are tempted to abandon the game plan and devise one of our own.
3. ILLUSTRATION: South Florida mission trip, January 1995
a. Working on a hurricane damaged house that needed to have a portion of the cement driveway in car port removed.
b. Plan was to wait until next day when we could get a power chipper. Instead, started to break it up with a sledge hammer.
c. Did I mention that the cold water supply pipe ran tight against the edge of the concrete. When we got back from lunch, a co-worker had continued pounding until pipe sprung a leak. Spent the rest of that day and half the next replacing the pipe back to the street shut-off valve.
d. If had stayed with the intended plan: a lot less work.
C. WHY ARE THE CAMEL’S EYES TURNED UPWARD? When moving the head is positioned so the eyes looking forward & upward.
1. One is always able to get a better view of where they are going when looking forward in the direction they are being led.
a. There may be occasional glances downward or backward, but these do not last long.
(1) ILLUSTRATION: Teaching someone to ski. They must learn not to look at their feet or ski tips. Rather, the focus is looking forward. Strange as it may seem, especially to the new snow bunny, you actually have better control when looking forward.
b. The upward and forward looking position is not a prideful or conceited look; but a simple acceptance to where to look for the ultimate guidance and direction.
2. ILLUSTRATION: Israelites looked up when they were righteous and obedient. When they looked down & at themselves they fell into idolatry and apostasy.
a. Exodus 19: looked up to the presence of God in the smoke and fire of Mt. Sinai. The people sanctified themselves for 3 days before the Lord came into their presence. The righteous people were about to receive the Ten Commandments.
b. By Exodus 32, after Moses had been up on the mountain for 40 days, the people looked at themselves and decided to make a golden calf from their earrings.
c. When their eyes went from looking upward to God to looking down at themselves, they fell from grace.
3. Like the hymn: “turn your eyes upon Jesus; look full in His wonderful face, and the things of earth will grow strangely dim, in the light of His glory and grace”. When you are focused on the heavenly, the affairs of earth will be put in proper perspective.
D. WHAT DO KNOBBY KNEES TELL YOU ABOUT A CAMEL? Frequent kneeling produces the tell-tale knobby pads distinctive of a camel.
1. Camel kneels to seek rest. It is also the most efficient way for the burden to be off-loaded.
a. We have many ways to rest and to unload our burdens. Some like sleep or talking with a friend are useful and productive. Others like drugs or complaining are wasteful and counter-productive.
b. Kneeling before God in prayer is absolutely essential and produces a peace that surpasses all understanding (Phil 6:6).
2. ILLUSTRATION: Israelites understood this concept
a. Psalm 95:6-7
Oh come let us worship and bow down;
Let us kneel before the Lord our Maker.
For He is our God, and we are the people of His pasture,
And the sheep of His hand.
4. ILLUSTRATION: Jonathan Edwards
a. Spring time in 1740; a young man wandered in his father’s pasture, contemplating the sovereign nature of God.
b. Looking upward to the clouds and sky provided him with a clear sense of the glorious majesty and grace of God.
c. Sensing his own feebleness in the presence of God, he dropped to his knees and prayed that the sinfulness in his heart be swept away by the love and grace of the Creator and Redeemer.
d. Observing the flowering meadow, he mused that
The soul of a true Christian ... appeared like such a little white flower as we see in the spring of the year; low and humble on the ground, opening its bosom to receive the pleasant beams of the sun’s glory.... My heart panted after this - to lie low before God, as in the dust; that I might be nothing, and that God might be ALL, that I might become as a little child...
e. It was though such prayerful experiences that Jonathan Edwards, one of America’s greatest theologians, helped lead the Great Awakening that spread religious revival in the 18th century.
TIME OF DECISION
A. Today begins a new journey in the church. It may be long and hard. There will be times of joy, periods of sadness, opportunities for greatness, and temptations to be divisive. Remember that if you can be like the camel, your venture will be rewarding.
1. Let God lead you.
2. Rely on the Lord for your needs.
3. Keep your eyes upon Jesus.
4. Come to the Father on bended knee when you pray.
B. Regardless of who you are, your clarion call is to turn your life over to the Great Master.
C. Perhaps today is the day that you decide to follow Jesus as Lord of All; or perhaps the Holy Spirit has touched your heart to rededicate yourself to Christ and the work of the Church. Meditate on these possibilities as we come to the Lord in corporate prayer.
D. OUR GOD, WE COME TO YOU NOW IN THE QUIET OF THIS TIME WITH OUR HEADS BOWED AND EYES CLOSED.
1. We struggle mightily with turmoil in our lives and our desire to let You guide us. At times we seem to meander without direction, our future vague and without hope. Yet we know that when we allow You to be the Master of our lives that a joy comes to us that surpasses all understanding.
2. Oh Lord, forgive us of our trespasses against You, and grant that the stubbornness of our heart be subdued by Your glory and grace.
3. Let us begin our new journey with the renewed confidence that You are indeed our Shepherd and our Guide. When you lead us we do not fear the future, because we seek it in Jesus’ name. AMEN.
