Exodus 16-18
An Overview of Chapter 16
A month and a half after being miraculously delivered from Egypt the Israelites begin to complain about not having enough food. It is so bad that they long for the days of slavery. The Lord hears their complaints and decides to provide quail and bread for them, but He will use this as a test to see whether the people will do what He tells them.
The Lord appears in the cloud before the people and gives instructions to Moses concerning the provision He is about to make. Each person is supposed to gather an equal amount, no more than they can eat in a day, and on the sixth day of the week they will gather twice as much. Some of the people do not listen and try to save some of the manna for morning, but it rots and is filled with worms. The Lord reminds them of the Sabbath given to their forefathers and provides extra food for the people on the sixth day so they can honor the sabbath.
The Lord instructs Moses to keep one jar as a souvenir to remember this trip.
An Overview of Chapter 17
As the Israelites continue their journey they complain again, this time about not having enough water, testing to see whether God is with them (vs. 7). Moses, as he was instructed by God, gathers the elders of the land before a rock. The Lord appears to the elders of Israel and Moses hits the rock with his staff and water flows from the rock.
Following this the Amalekites wage war with the Israelites. Moses instructs his servant Joshua to form an army and fight them Amalekites. Moses watches from the top of a mountain with his brother and a friend. When Moses holds his staff up the Israelites have the advantage, but if he lowers his staff the Amalekites take the advantage. Aaron and Hur set Moses on a rock and hold his hands up for him all day long. The Israelites are victorious.
God instructs Moses to write down that the Amalekites will be destroyed and make sure Joshua knows this. Moses builds an altar to God here.
An Overview of Chapter 18
The news of the Israelites escape from Egypt and victory over the Amalekites spreads through the region and Moses father-in-law hears. Jethro gathers Moses wife and two kids and reunites them in the wilderness. After exchanging pleasantries Moses rejoice over what the Lord has been doing and Jethro offers a sacrifice that they eat in front of God.
Jethro follows Moses to work and realizes he is overdoing it. He suggests that Moses hire some Godly men to help him judge the disputes of the people. He also suggests the Moses teach the people the law so they can judge themselves on the simple matters. Then all Moses will have to do is judge those matters that cannot be decided without God’s help. Moses follows Jethro’s advice.
After a nice visit, Jethro goes home.
Reflection
Do you ever look at your past and wish you could go back? Do you have a tendency to take more than you need, even if it will go to waste? Do you believe that God tests your obedience using the circumstances of your life? Does God provide food for you every day? Do you ever test God just to see whether He is their? Do you support those whom God has entrusted to lead you? Do you spend time to rejoice over the things God has done for you recently? Do you have a tendency to do everything yourself? Do you spend time learning about God and what He wants you to do so you only need to take big problems to Him in prayer?
For Further Study
Manna: Deuteronomy 8:3-16, Joshua 5:12, John 6:31-58, Revelation 2:17
Sabbath: Genesis 2:2, Psalm 92, Luke 6:1-9, Colossians 2:16-17, Hebrews 3:17-4:11
A month and a half after being miraculously delivered from Egypt the Israelites begin to complain about not having enough food. It is so bad that they long for the days of slavery. The Lord hears their complaints and decides to provide quail and bread for them, but He will use this as a test to see whether the people will do what He tells them.
The Lord appears in the cloud before the people and gives instructions to Moses concerning the provision He is about to make. Each person is supposed to gather an equal amount, no more than they can eat in a day, and on the sixth day of the week they will gather twice as much. Some of the people do not listen and try to save some of the manna for morning, but it rots and is filled with worms. The Lord reminds them of the Sabbath given to their forefathers and provides extra food for the people on the sixth day so they can honor the sabbath.
The Lord instructs Moses to keep one jar as a souvenir to remember this trip.
An Overview of Chapter 17
As the Israelites continue their journey they complain again, this time about not having enough water, testing to see whether God is with them (vs. 7). Moses, as he was instructed by God, gathers the elders of the land before a rock. The Lord appears to the elders of Israel and Moses hits the rock with his staff and water flows from the rock.
Following this the Amalekites wage war with the Israelites. Moses instructs his servant Joshua to form an army and fight them Amalekites. Moses watches from the top of a mountain with his brother and a friend. When Moses holds his staff up the Israelites have the advantage, but if he lowers his staff the Amalekites take the advantage. Aaron and Hur set Moses on a rock and hold his hands up for him all day long. The Israelites are victorious.
God instructs Moses to write down that the Amalekites will be destroyed and make sure Joshua knows this. Moses builds an altar to God here.
An Overview of Chapter 18
The news of the Israelites escape from Egypt and victory over the Amalekites spreads through the region and Moses father-in-law hears. Jethro gathers Moses wife and two kids and reunites them in the wilderness. After exchanging pleasantries Moses rejoice over what the Lord has been doing and Jethro offers a sacrifice that they eat in front of God.
Jethro follows Moses to work and realizes he is overdoing it. He suggests that Moses hire some Godly men to help him judge the disputes of the people. He also suggests the Moses teach the people the law so they can judge themselves on the simple matters. Then all Moses will have to do is judge those matters that cannot be decided without God’s help. Moses follows Jethro’s advice.
After a nice visit, Jethro goes home.
Reflection
Do you ever look at your past and wish you could go back? Do you have a tendency to take more than you need, even if it will go to waste? Do you believe that God tests your obedience using the circumstances of your life? Does God provide food for you every day? Do you ever test God just to see whether He is their? Do you support those whom God has entrusted to lead you? Do you spend time to rejoice over the things God has done for you recently? Do you have a tendency to do everything yourself? Do you spend time learning about God and what He wants you to do so you only need to take big problems to Him in prayer?
For Further Study
Manna: Deuteronomy 8:3-16, Joshua 5:12, John 6:31-58, Revelation 2:17
Sabbath: Genesis 2:2, Psalm 92, Luke 6:1-9, Colossians 2:16-17, Hebrews 3:17-4:11
posted by Shaun Sells | 12:02 AM
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