Addressing Internal Struggles – Manna from Heaven

Addressing Internal Struggles – Manna from Heaven

Exodus 16: And they journeyed from Elim, and all the congregation of the children of Israel came to the Wilderness of Sin, which is between Elim and Sinai, on the fifteenth day of the second month after they departed from the land of Egypt. ² Then the whole congregation of the children of Israel complained against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness. ³ And the children of Israel said to them, “Oh, that we had died by the hand of the Lord in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the pots of meat and when we ate bread to the full! For you have brought us out into this wilderness to kill this whole assembly with hunger.”

 

⁴ Then the Lord said to Moses, “Behold, I will rain bread from heaven for you. And the people shall go out and gather a certain quota every day, that I may test them, whether they will walk in My law or not. ⁵ And it shall be on the sixth day that they shall prepare what they bring in, and it shall be twice as much as they gather daily.”

 

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A couple of weeks into the journey, the children of Israel complained against Moses and Aaron about the lack of food. GOD heard their complaint and told Moses that HE would supply bread from heaven that was supposed to be collected within specified intervals.

 

My Observations:

• The children of Israel cried out to GOD when they were being mistreated by the Egyptians.
• The children of Israel cried out to GOD when they were freed, but pursued by the Egyptian army.
• The children of Israel complained shortly after seeing the Egyptian army destroyed and after having water provided for them.

 

Unfortunately for the children of Israel, GOD was using the same tactic that HE used on the Egyptians, only worse. The spirit of complaining would lead the children of Israel to think they could do this and get their way. When GOD said HE would give them bread from heaven, HE said it in a way that HE knew the complaint was a problem.

 

GOD was gracious to those who complained, but one day HE would stop listening to their complaints. Like the Egyptians, GOD allowed the mindset to prevail. The Egyptians thought they were gods, and GOD allowed it. The children of Israel thought they could complain and GOD allowed it. GOD fed the children of Israel with special bread from heaven, but noted their complaint.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD remind Moses about the complaint of the children of Israel?
• Have you ever complained to GOD about the way HE was doing things?
• Is it time to ask GOD if your mindset needs to be aligned to HIS, so HE can guide you away from complaints?

 

Sticks and Water to Change a Mindset

Sticks and Water to Change a Mindset

Exodus 15: ²² So Moses brought Israel from the Red Sea; then they went out into the Wilderness of Shur. And they went three days in the wilderness and found no water. ²³ Now when they came to Marah, they could not drink the waters of Marah, for they were bitter. Therefore the name of it was called Marah. ²⁴ And the people complained against Moses, saying, “What shall we drink?” ²⁵ So he cried out to the Lord, and the Lord showed him a tree. When he cast it into the waters, the waters were made sweet.

 

There He made a statute and an ordinance for them, and there He tested them, ²⁶ and said, “If you diligently heed the voice of the Lord your God and do what is right in His sight, give ear to His commandments and keep all His statutes, I will put none of the diseases on you which I have brought on the Egyptians. For I am the Lord who heals you.”

 

²⁷ Then they came to Elim, where there were twelve wells of water and seventy palm trees; so they camped there by the waters.

 

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After leaving Egypt, the children of Israel camped overnight at the Red Sea. The next morning, they crossed on dry land. GOD closed up the sea and they sang songs from Moses and Miriam. But now they were on their own. They went three days from the crossing, only to find salty, undrinkable water.

 

My Observations:

• The children of Israel were not accustomed to being on their own and expected everything to go as it was when they were slaves.
• The children of Israel complained at the first sign of trouble.
• GOD used a stick to heal the salty, bitter water.

 

Moses seemed to have a lot of encounters with water. His name means he was saved from the water or drawn from the water that his mother place him on in an ark. GOD turned the Egyptian water to blood as the first plague. Frogs came from the water in another plague. Then the children of Israel were led by the preincarnate JESUS to the Red Sea where GOD destroyed the Egyptian army.

 

But now this water was different. The expectation of the children of Israel was that they would leave Egypt and immediately enter the promised land without needing to change their mindset. They were pleased with seeing the Egyptians suffer and die, but immediately murmured when they ran into a problem. GOD had Moses take a piece of the tree and toss it into the water to make it sweet.

 

This miracle was done to preserve the children of Israel and to show them GOD’s power. GOD then told them that HE is the Healer. HE healed the water and HE would heal them if they obeyed HIS commands and heed HIS voice. HE then led them to twelve wells. One for each tribe. This was yet another miracle. GOD used sticks and water to change the mindset of HIS people.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD remind Moses about the bitter water miracle?
• Have you ever expected GOD to do something in a certain time and became disappointed when it did not happen as you expected?
• What mindset do you need to give to GOD so HE can change it for the better?

 

Another Song of Triumph – Unheard People Sing

Another Song of Triumph – Unheard People Sing

Exodus 15: ¹⁹ For the horses of Pharaoh went with his chariots and his horsemen into the sea, and the Lord brought back the waters of the sea upon them. But the children of Israel went on dry land in the midst of the sea.

The Song of Miriam

²⁰ Then Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took the timbrel in her hand; and all the women went out after her with timbrels and with dances. ²¹ And Miriam answered them:

“Sing to the Lord,
For He has triumphed gloriously!
The horse and its rider
He has thrown into the sea!”

 

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After Moses sang, Miriam got up and sang a short song.

 

My Observations:

• The women possibly were not singing but wanted to sing.
• Miriam may have noticed the women were not singing, so she got her tambourine out and sang a short song.
• Miriam gave the reason why everyone should sing, namely they were rescued by the LORD.

 

GOD used Miriam as a leader. She is called a prophetess. Very few women in the Bible were called this title, so it shows she had a special anointing by GOD as a leader. Miriam seemed to be gifted to help out where there was a gap in the execution of a plan.

 

Jochebed, Miriam’s mother, made an ark to save Moses, Miriam's’ brother. Miriam watched over Moses and made sure he stayed safe. Miriam jumped into action again by seeing the women and making them join in on the celebration of GOD’s triumph. Her song may seem simple, but it symbolizes a leader who sees those who are unheard. GOD was praised by everyone.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD remind Moses about Miriam’s song?
• Have you ever seen someone who wanted to join in, but were afraid to?
• Can you take a moment to help those who are unheard by guiding them in praise to the LORD?

Song of Triumph Part 4 – GOD has Won the Next Battle

Song of Triumph Part 4 – GOD has Won the Next Battle

Exodus 15 ¹⁴ “The people will hear and be afraid;
Sorrow will take hold of the inhabitants of Philistia.
¹⁵ Then the chiefs of Edom will be dismayed;
The mighty men of Moab,
Trembling will take hold of them;
All the inhabitants of Canaan will melt away.
¹⁶ Fear and dread will fall on them;
By the greatness of Your arm
They will be as still as a stone,
Till Your people pass over, O Lord,
Till the people pass over
Whom You have purchased.
¹⁷ You will bring them in and plant them
In the mountain of Your inheritance,
In the place, O Lord, which You have made
For Your own dwelling,
The sanctuary, O Lord, which Your hands have established.

¹⁸ “The Lord shall reign forever and ever.”

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Moses ends the song with encouragement that GOD is more powerful than the enemies the children of Israel will face.

 

My Observations:

• Even though GOD wiped out the Egyptians, the children of Israel knew there were other groups who were similar to their recent defeated enemy.
• Moses mentioned that GOD’s demonstration of power would put fear in all the surrounding enemies.
• Moses sung about GOD “purchasing” the people as a reference to what JESUS would do to redeem humanity.

 

As the promised land was to the children of Israel, heaven is to you and me. The mountain of GOD’s inheritance could represent HIS eternal rewards for those who cling to their faith and persevere through tribulation.

 

GOD inspired Moses to sing about facing the immediate near future opposition from all sides. The promised land was heavily guarded and was supernatural. It produced fruit larger and more plentiful than anywhere else. Very strong people found this treasure on earth and would fight anyone who wanted to take the land. GOD had already defeated this enemy before the battle began. HE shall reign forever and ever. amen

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD remind Moses about other enemies of the children of Israel?
• Have you ever faced victory and then immediately faced fear because of the existence of other enemies?
• Are you replaying fear of the future in your mind, or remembering GOD’s powerful performance?

Song of Triumph Part 3 – No One like GOD

Song of Triumph Part 3 – No One like GOD

Exodus 15: ¹¹ “Who is like You, O Lord, among the gods?
Who is like You, glorious in holiness,
Fearful in praises, doing wonders?
¹² You stretched out Your right hand;
The earth swallowed them.
¹³ You in Your mercy have led forth
The people whom You have redeemed;
You have guided them in Your strength
To Your holy habitation.

 

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After the Egyptian army was destroyed by GOD closing up the Red Sea, Moses and the children of Israel sang. This third stanza was about GOD.

 

My Observations:

• Moses recognized that humans try to be gods but they cannot compare to the true GOD.
• Moses points out GOD’s holiness, HIS deserving of healthy praiseworthy fear, and HIS power to do wonders.
• Moses ends the stanza with GOD dismantling the mindset of humans thinking they can do anything above HIM.

 

There is no one like GOD! HE is worthy of all praise! Only HE is holy and HE can do anything, anytime, anywhere. GOD takes down enemies who try to place themselves over one another with the pride of the Enemy. This song speaks about GOD’s triumphant power.

 

Moses also speaks about redemption. GOD rescued HIS people out of Egypt and does the same for you and me. HE rescues us out of a mindset that keeps us as slaves to the world, blinding us from GOD’s tremendous power. GOD was leading them to HIS holy habitation.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD remind Moses about this part of the song?
• Have you marveled over GOD’s incredible power over your life lately?
• What amazes you about GOD’s power, holiness and redemption?

Song of Triumph Part 2 - Easy for GOD

 

Song of Triumph Part 2 - Easy for GOD

Exodus 15: ⁶ “Your right hand, O Lord, has become glorious in power;
Your right hand, O Lord, has dashed the enemy in pieces.
⁷ And in the greatness of Your excellence
You have overthrown those who rose against You;
You sent forth Your wrath;
It consumed them like stubble.
⁸ And with the blast of Your nostrils
The waters were gathered together;
The floods stood upright like a heap;
The depths congealed in the heart of the sea.
⁹ The enemy said, ‘I will pursue,
I will overtake,
I will divide the spoil;
My desire shall be satisfied on them.
I will draw my sword,
My hand shall destroy them.’
¹⁰ You blew with Your wind,
The sea covered them;
They sank like lead in the mighty waters.

 

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Moses continues to lead the children of Israel in song after they saw the Egyptians defeated by GOD. This stanza seems to pay tribute to how easy it was for GOD to take down the Egyptians.

 

My Observations:

• Moses used many human attributes like “right hand,” “nostrils,” and “heart” to invoke human understanding and excitement.
• Moses remembered how stubborn and cruel the Egyptians were and placed their futile attempts of being gods in the song.
• Moses points out how easy it was for GOD to overthrow the Egyptians.

 

Scripture uses the “right hand” as a statement of true, right and just. I believe Moses was speaking about GOD’s power and sovereignty. Would you blow up a balloon with your nose? No. Moses may have simply been excited and used the weakest form of wind a human can produce to show how strong GOD is.

 

The “heart” of things is usually the center, but in humans, it represents the connection to GOD. The enemy is anything or anyone who opposes GOD. In this case the Egyptians were going against a promise GOD made when HE said HE would make Abraham a great nation. By trying to be the nation above GOD’s decree, they became HIS enemy. Their “hearts” became hardened by their belief that they could be above GOD. It was easy for GOD to wipe them out, according to the song.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD remind Moses about the song he sang regarding the greatness of GOD?
• Have you ever praised GOD for HIS might and HIS timing?
• Will you praise GOD even if your expectations are being met in a different way then you expect?

Song of Triumph Part 1

Song of Triumph Part 1

Exodus 15: Then Moses and the children of Israel sang this song to the Lord, and spoke, saying:

 

“I will sing to the Lord,
For He has triumphed gloriously!
The horse and its rider
He has thrown into the sea!
² The Lord is my strength and song,
And He has become my salvation;
He is my God, and I will praise Him;
My father’s God, and I will exalt Him.
³ The Lord is a man of war;
The Lord is His name.
⁴ Pharaoh’s chariots and his army He has cast into the sea;
His chosen captains also are drowned in the Red Sea.
⁵ The depths have covered them;
They sank to the bottom like a stone.

 

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Wow! GOD kept HIS word! Moses and the children of Israel were so elated that they broke out in song. They started the first chorus with what GOD did.

 

My Observations:

• Moses and the children of Israel were relieved and excited.
• Moses probably sang first and the children of Israel repeated his words.
• Moses mentioned what GOD did and who HE was.

 

From the time Moses was born, he had a special relationship with GOD that he could not quite figure out. He tried to do things for GOD with deadly disastrous results. BUT GOD saw his heart. GOD told Moses that HE would save the people from the Egyptians. They thought this was impossible. Even when the plagues were poured out by GOD, they may have thought the Egyptians had it coming, but did not believe.

 

But when GOD performed the biggest miracle they had ever seen, they cheered and sang! The Red Sea fell on the Egyptian army. They knew this was the last thing standing in the way of their true freedom. Pharaoh had no army, no servants, no crops, no gold or silver. They were free and GOD was recognized as their “strength,” their “song,” and their “salvation.”

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD remind Moses about the song they sang?
• Have you ever been so elated that you just had to sing or praise?
• Can you sing praises to GOD for being your strength, song and salvation?