Sermon - AudioEx 16-18 - Audio
Ex 16-18 - Daily Reading
Daily Insights - Please Comment
Ex 16:1-3 = Why don't we start out today with a little grumbling and mix it up with some complaining. Here is the interesting revelation that is given to the people of Israel: In verse 8 Moses let's the people know that by grumbling against Moses and Aaron, they are actually grumbling against the LORD. I can picture Moses saying, "Yeah, you're grumbling against God who sent all those plagues on Egypt, opened the Red Sea for us, killed our adversaries...yeah, that's who you're complaining against."
In vs 10 we see that the people of Israel are able to see the glory of the LORD in the cloud. God then states again that when they are fed by him that the people will "know that I am the LORD your God."
I find the interaction with Moses and the people to be very interesting. In verses 2-8 they complain and grumble to him. In verse 20 they don't listen to him and he gets upset. In verses 22-26 they seemingly listen to him. In verse 27-30 they don't. Most frustrating job ever and it continues chapter after chapter.
The Bible compares the taste of manna with both honey and oil (Nm 11:8). Its flavor was evidently reminiscent of both substances. The comparisons suggest that manna, like many of today’s common foods, contained both fats and sugars. Which flavor predominated may have depended on how it was prepared.
Ex 17:1-7 - The people are grumbling again. This is the third time they grumble over provision (15:24-25; 16:2-3) -ESVSB- The people are bold enough to test the LORD (v7)
Q. How many times do we "test" God without knowing we are doing so?
Q. In what ways do we tend to "test" God?
Good thought: "Providing enough water in a desert to quench the thirst of a group of more than 600,000 men, besides women and children, was a miracle of the highest order, all the more impressive considering that Israel spent 40 years in the desert. Moses’ striking of the rock was not what produced the water, but rather God standing with Moses at the rock." -ASB-
17:14-15 = Obviously this "blot out" did not mean it wouldn't be recorded. “to remove any concern that Amalek would pose a threat to another nation” is maybe a better way to understand this. This promise was fulfilled during the days of King David (1 Sm 30:16–17)
The LORD is my Banner! = “Yahweh is my standard.” s´n can mean “signal” as well as
“ensign, flag, banner,” the word “standard, as rallying-point” in this verse. In Ps 60:6, sn refers to a flag to which those who revere God can flee for their lives.
18:8-9 - Moses tells of God's provision and majesty and Jethro's response is to rejoice! This is the proper response to our God's provision and majesty. This helps us understand Paul's continual plea for us to rejoice. Much like Jethro, we are called to be in awe of a God who is mighty to save.
18:13-26 - God uses Jethro to speak wisdom into Moses' life. Moses would have been run into the ground had it continued the way it was setup.
Q. Are you in constant community with fellow believers who encourage and challenge you?
Q. Are you open to having God reveal things to you through community?
18:13-26 - Our judicial system is formed! Unfortunately, I don't think we have the same qualifications in our selection process: able men, men who fear God, trustworthy, won't accept bribes. However, this does echo some things later stated for Elder qualifications...just a thought.
2 comments:
Did they have a market type place at all in the wilderness? I understand how silly that sounds. It mentions them taking the gold and silver from the Egyptians (what did they need that for?) and they have cattle. It seems weird to me that they would not have some sort of business going on. If not then Moses and the other leaders did all this "judging" for free. It seems so strange to me that they would sit idle for 40 years without any real job, maybe that is why they complained so much. I know when I am busy I don't complain as much and I am less bored.
Hi Anonymous,
Fun Question. The evidence we have for what the people did while they were in the desert is scarce. We know they spend time building the tabernacle, they have flocks and herds they need to take care of and of course there are just the day to day survival type of things that have to happen. Preparing meals, getting water, etc. When we think of Israel in the desert it might be best to think of them like the nomads of the desert and their lifestyle. There is no market, but just the stuff of survival keeps them busy.
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