Last in our series on Moses, though many of
you will be continuing to look at and learn from Moses in home groups. This series has and is taking us through some
of the major events in Moses’ life and in the life of God’s people at the time,
a crucial time in their history - the time when they were taken out of slavery
in
There was a shorter route but God led them
this way to teach them, nurture them and form them into his people - they
weren’t ready for the opposition they would meet on the direct route - 2
weeks. They knew God was with them, the
pillar of cloud assured them of that, and his provision for them too. After 3 days without finding any water, they
were led to some but it was too bitter to drink, until Moses at God’s
instruction threw stick into it and it became sweet. At end of chapter 15 we find them in what
sounds like an idyllic place, with lots of springs and palm trees.
But now maybe a few weeks on and only about a
month since they left
Probably not – but we may well be surprised
at what God does. In his patience, grace and love he provides for them - just
think of those numbers! No mean task. In
the morning what they called manna, (what is it?) and the evening quail. Sugary substance exuded by certain aphids and dried into
globules - v.31 - tasted like wafers made with honey . Quails - migrated across the Sinai peninsular
and would roost on the ground, often exhausted at nightfall - an easy
prey. Does seeing these provisions as
natural phenomena explain them away - I don’t believe so - but they point to
the wonder of the Creator God who in his wisdom, love and foresight put these
within creation and then miraculously brought them together at the right time
and in the right quantity to meet his people’s need.
He provides it in a way that teaches them to
trust him and obey his instructions: as
much as each one needed, (it was to satisfy their need, not their greed), only
enough for that day, it would not keep some tried it - then on the 6th
day twice as much so that they could rest on the Sabbath - and it did keep for
the two days. So that they would know
(v6,8,12c) - and be able to tell others about what God
had done.
John 6 - read the words of Jesus, the one who
believes in me will never go hungry - never be thirsty. Jesus is the bread of life, eternal life,
life in all its fullness. What did he mean - satisfying the deepest needs of
the human heart, yes! Meeting
the spiritual hunger and thirst of his people on their journey of faith - Yes,
or these and more. What about my
physical, emotional needs?
Great e.g.s Elijah
and the ravens, the widow - jar of flour and jugs of oil in 1 Kings 17. But
then there were others in
George Muller 19thC founder of homes of
orphans near
Two dangers to avoid: The danger of glibly saying - God will
provide, he will meet every need, or of rather dismissing it or seeing as our
spiritual needs.
God did provide manna, physical food, for his
people as they followed him through the desert.
What can we take from this for us today. Just
highlight a few pointers
1.
Importance of reminding ourselves that all we have we ultimately receive
from God, and being thankful. Used to having so much under our control - our food supply for one,
that we can forget to thank God for it.
Floods earlier this year have highlighted how precarious it can be -
potato crop under water and destroyed. Still plenty in the shops - even if prices have gone up. In other parts of the world, flooding has had
a more devastating affect. People are
starving. Ex 16:18 - everyone having
enough - God provided enough for all.
Paul quotes in 2 Corinthians 8:15, in the context of giving - this says
much to us about thanking God, saying grace even, acknowledging all he gives us
- and then sharing from the abundance he provides so that others may have what
they need.
2. Grumbling - I wonder what you and I do
when things don’t turn out the way we expect or would like? Crisis, financial, health,
emotional. How quickly do we turn to prayer - or do we share with others
first, even grumble, or spring into action.
3. What about our expectations - for we too
are on a journey like those Israelites of old, a journey of faith, we can know
God going before us and with us along the way.
The children of
4.
Isn’t this the main lesson God wants us to learn - to trust him with our
needs, physical, spiritual emotional etc., and in the situations we face, even
when we can’t understand and they may seem meaningless. We only know the needs we feel we have at any
given time, but God sees the bigger picture, and He has our best interests at
heart. Nothing that comes our way will
take him by surprise - and what’s more he promises to be with us walking with
us on our journey.
I finish with the last paragraph from this
piece about Moses - do you think Moses figured out all that would be needed
before he left Egypt - No - Where God
guides, he provides.
May the truth of God’s providence and care
comfort and encourage each one of us, and help us take risks humanly speaking,
for him, as we continue with the journey, pilgrimage ahead of us.