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The lessons we learn here are there for a very real purpose - to teach us - to protect and guide us - and to provide us with the spiritual food and teaching which will enable us to grow and mature.

As we are read the Book of Exodus Chapter 17, take a moment to consider the scene and the context, and check the actual text. That is always important.

Moses has led the people of Israel across the Red Sea - and God - the same God and Father of our Saviour and Lord, Jesus Christ - had performed that mighty and amazing miracle - rescuing and saving His people - and dealing with those who chased them seeking to enslave them again.

At times things chase us, and can chase us to enslave us again.

The people of God had been redeemed and delivered and released from bondage and slavery. Within three days they were short of water and began to grumble. Having seen the strong Hand of God at work, they soon forgot so quickly and so easily, and because they were thirsty they began to complain and blame Moses.

God is His mercy and love and concern gave them refreshing water.

Do remember that when we cry out to Almighty God in the Name of Jesus, He always reacts and responds with love and mercy, compassion and concern.

A few days later their food supplies began to run out, and again they whined and blamed Moses.

Why is it that as soon as things are not going the way people want them to go, they begin to complain and grumble and have this horrible longing and desire and almost compulsion to put the blame on someone?

These people blamed God’s anointed man - his chosen servant - and that is always serious - very serious - and when people do that sometimes there is no escape from the tragic consequences of touching the Lord’s anointed.

When we read Chapter 16, we saw a caring concerned God providing food for those whom He had chosen and redeemed and released and delivered.

God is always so eager and willing to supply our all needs through Jesus Christ.

When we move into Chapter 17, there is another test - once again they had no water.

Now, surely, they would not react in such a negative manner this time.

We read there that they quarrelled with Moses.

They grumbled against God’s man - and they accused him of leading them out into the wilderness to die, and God in His tremendous love supplied them once more with an abundance of refreshing water.

But now - a new situation arose. As they made their way through the wilderness an enemy army appeared and they were to face their first conflict and warfare.

Now, remember, back in Chapter 13 at verse 17 when God first led Israel out of Egypt He led them by a route which would avoid warfare and conflict. If they had to fight too soon they have this longing to be back in Egypt and some might even have run back to Egypt.

As soon as real battles arise - as soon as real problems and difficulties appear - some young immature believers can take fright and run and they are unwilling to face what frequently has to be faced.

Most of the people to whom I have been speaking have been in Christ for some time - those who are committed to Jesus Christ and dedicated to His Service and Kingdom - so they are ready and prepared for whatever battles appear - and fight with the weapons of our warfare - with the might of the Risen and Living Christ.

Normally Jesus allows us to have things quite easy for a season, and then He allows us to face the realities of battling with the pressures and problems that face everyone who is called of God and anointed for Ministry.

Within around three months of being delivered from Egypt and the chasing charioteers, they are having to face the armies of the Amalekites.

Now again there is a lesson here for us to learn - very often as soon as we have dealt with one problem another quickly arises. Hasn’t that been our experience in our walk with Jesus Christ? And usually the problems are ever increasing in size and significance.

Facing something new has its individual and unique difficulties. There is the wondering. There can be a degree of apprehension. None of us enjoy being confronted with the unknown - even when we know with assurance that the living Christ is with us.

There are significant practical relevant lessons in these passages in Exodus which you will not find anywhere else. They are there for a very real purpose - to teach us - to protect and guide us - and to provide us with the spiritual food and teaching which will enable us to grow and mature.

Sandy Shaw

Sandy Shaw is Pastor of Nairn Christian Fellowship, Chaplain at Inverness Prison, and Nairn Academy, and serves on The Children’s Panel in Scotland, and has travelled extensively over these past years teaching, speaking, in America, Canada, South Africa, Australia, making 12 visits to Israel conducting Tours and Pilgrimages, and most recently in Uganda and Kenya, ministering at Pastors and Leaders Seminars, in the poor areas surrounding Kampala, Nairobi, Mombasa and Kisumu.

He broadcasts regularly on WSHO radio out of New Orleans, and writes a weekly commentary at http://www.studylight.org entitled “Word from Scotland” on various biblical themes, as well as a weekly newspaper column.

His M.A. and B.D. degrees are from The University of Edinburgh, and he continues to run and exercise regularly to maintain a level of physical fitness.

Sandy Shaw
sandyshaw63@yahoo.com

Tags: bible, Education, Leadership, Sin, Spirituality, Teach

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