The Moses Years - Bitter Water, Manna And Quail

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Phil continued our series on Moses, looking at how God was faithful to the Israelites, providing them food and water in the wilderness and showing his Glory, despite their moaning. To read Phil's notes (in PDF format), click here. Introduction • Journeying with the Israelites • Seen the hand of God deliver them from the Egyptians • Song of deliverance in Ex 15 Ex 15 v 22 Oasis at Marah Bitter water Complained and turned against Moses What are we going to drink they demanded Miracle - piece of wood makes the water good go drink The Lord tells them he is going to test their faithfulness Verse 26 Manna & Quail Ex 16 Led into the wilderness of Sin between Elim & Mount Sinai There too the whole community of Israel complained about Moses and Aaron Looking back to what they probably though were the good old days Brought us here to starve God provides for them food All they have to do is faithfully obey Verse 4 I will test them in this to see whether or not they will follow my Instructions • Do you believe that God tests us? James 1 • How does he test us ? In the ordinary things of life God provides enough for each day only will last 1 day except on the sixth day where there will be enough that will keep for 2 days Moses and Aaron speak to the people v 6 • The Israelites are a complaining people, may be a spirit of ungratefulness • Does our nation have this spirit,? Look at trip advisor more complaints than positive comments • Are you ungrateful ? • Are you a complainer? • We all need to be careful when we are complaining about those who God has given authority too who are leading. V8 "your complaints are against the Lord, not against us" They didn't really know God They didn't know who they were Verse 9 & 10 They get to see the awesome Glory of God in cloud - sign that God is with them and with Moses and Aaron Back to the test Gods tests them by giving simple instructions over the provision of food. V 11 - 36 • Some it seemed could not follow the Lord's simple instructions • They tried to keep food for the next day and it was rotten - we need fresh daily spiritual food • The Lord gave them the gift of a day of rest so on the 6th day he provided enough for 2 days, but some still went out looking for food on the 7th day • They were also to preserve food for future generations, it was placed in the Ark of the covenant. • This instruction was for forty years • How quick do we get bored or fed up of following and doing the last thing God told us to do? • What was the last thing your loving heavenly father told you to do? • Are you doing it? • Are you doing it out of duty? • Are you doing it from a place of Faith ? Knowing that what he is looking for is the obedience that comes from faith not duty Ch17 - Water from the a Rock. Here we go again, they complained and demanded water. It takes another sign / miracle because they argued with Moses and tested the Lord by saying "Is the Lord with us or not?" Conclusion There's much for us to learn from the Israelites 1. Are you a complainer? Who or what is you complaint is it against a person? Maybe you need to deal with it. We are told that if we have anything in our hearts against some one else we must first deal with it before we offer our worship to God. 2. Are you ungrateful or have a ungrateful attitude? 3. God is looking for those who follow him, Paul writes that we are to call people to the obedience that comes from faith. Are you following out of duty or love and faith for the one who has called you his child? 4. Is God testing you through the ordinary things of life, how are you responding ? Prayer / Ministry We are called to clothe the naked of the world not get naked with the world We are called to provide a bed to sleep in get get in bed with the world We are called to feed the hungry and the thirsty of the world not hunger and thirst after the world Gods looking for a people who carry the Glory of our heavenly father where ever we go an in what ever we do. Questions 1. Do you believe that God tests us? James 1 2. How does God test us ? 3. What can you learn from the this part of the story? 4. How can we live obedient faith filled lives without it becoming a duty or us resenting God.