144. SUSTAINED BY GOD IN THE DESERT
The children of Israel were in a state of great excitement. They were on their way back to the land of their fathers! But they were not very well organized, and they had to struggle along in family groups. The going was tough and it tried their faith. Like Israel of old, we tend to feel sorry for ourselves when things go wrong or the way seems hard. Though the children of Israel complained bitterly at times, Yahweh's love never left them. He gave them enough manna to eat, protected them from their enemies and brought them to Him at Mount Sinai.
Exodus 15-17
WATER TO DRINK (Exodus 15:22-27)
Free now of Egyptian bondage, the people were led by Moses south toward Sinai. They had to pass through the wilderness of Shur which was a weary, barren desert of low rolling sandhills. They were going to be "proved", to know what was "in their heart" and to be "humbled" to learn to depend fully on God and His Word. That was the purpose of the wilderness wanderings (Deut. 8:2). For three days they trudged along without finding any water. Finally they came to Marah where there was an oasis.
But Marah means "bitter" and that was the condition of the water — undrinkable! The people were angry and complained to Moses saying, "What shall we drink?"
Yahweh gave the people a wonderful sign of His care for them by causing the waters to be healed when a tree was cast into the water. This is a "type" of Christ who when he was cut down (his crucifixion) made the bitter sinfulness of mankind sweet by giving them the hope of salvation. God could and would sustain His people through all their trials. He further promised them blessings if they obeyed His Word. He promised them freedom from the diseases of Egypt if they would—
•Listen to God;
•Do what is right in His eyes;
•Take notice of His commandments and keep His statutes (v. 26).
The people then moved on to Elim where they were refreshed by such a pleasant place with its 12 wells of sweet water surrounded by 70 palm trees. This represented the Kingdom when all the nations (70 palms) shall gather around the twelve tribes of Israel.
FOOD TO EAT (Exodus 16)
The huge company of Israelites now entered the wilderness of Sin. The character of the country altered. Rugged granite mountains thrust steeply upwards, and the people were forced to travel through narrow winding ravines. There progress was difficult, communication was a problem and food was running short. Despite the pillar of cloud above them, a sign of God's presence, they felt lost and bewildered.
They began to grumble. They longed for the flesh pots and fulness of bread in Egypt, completely forgetting the agony of their slavery. Note the "ye" of v.3. They blamed Moses and Aaron for their problems. God pointed out through Moses that it was He who had brought them there and He would now demonstrate once more His mighty power and care. He would provide flesh and bread to eat. That evening the people beheld a miracle. Vast flocks of quails came to the camp and the people were able to gather them for food.
Next morning after the sun had risen, and the dew had evaporated, the ground was covered with a white substance, small and round. The people said, "What is this" (i.e., "manna" see margin v. 15).
Moses explained that this was what God provided for their need. They were to gather enough for their families each day and to use it all. It would not keep. Trying to do so, some found that it bred worms and stank. However on the sixth day they were permitted to gather twice as much and to keep it overnight for there would be no manna on the sabbath.
Aaron was instructed to put some in a golden pot and place it in the Ark. This manna did not rot, although later the ark itself disappeared (cp. Rev. 2:17). This incorruptible manna represented the immortal risen Christ.
During all their wilderness wanderings God fed them with manna and it ceased only when Israel entered the promised land (Josh. 5:12).
A TYPE OF JESUS CHRIST (John 6:31-38).
Israel ate manna to save their natural lives from hunger and starvation. It was designed also, to teach them spiritual lessons. Moses taught them "man doth not live by bread only, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the LORD" (Deut. 8:3). They were therefore, to seek after God's word as they did their natural food (cp. Matt. 5:6) — keenly and daily.
Jesus later pointed out that he was "the true bread", for anyone who ate of the bread that he could give would live for ever (John 6:51). This "bread" is the example he showed of loving God's Word and doing his Father's will at all times. We need to have a "taste" for the Word of God. To "eat" and "digest" this bread is to be more satisfied than with any amount of natural bread (Isa. 55:1-3; John 6:56, 57). By it we can live spiritually growing and gaining strength.
?The Israelites had to gather the manna every day, and so we must study daily the word of God. The manna kept them alive during the wilderness wanderings, and the word of God is able to strengthen our "spiritual man", and give us eternal life in the Kingdom of God. The Israelites who ate the manna are now dead, but Jesus said that those who eat the "true bread from heaven" shall live forever (John 6:33, 40, 49).
We can keep our natural man alive with natural food. To reach the kingdom of God we need to feed daily on the food which God provides — His Word.
WATER FROM THE ROCK (Exod. 17:1-7)
The cloud moved on and the people followed until they came to Rephidim where it rested — but there was no water! Once again Moses received their complaints, and once again took it to God in prayer. God instructed Moses to go to a particular rock and smite it in the sight of all Israel. Moses did so and miraculously water flowed out, by which their thirst was satisfied.
Paul says that this rock pointed forward to Christ (1 Cor. 10:4). He has been "smitten" by God in being put to death. But God raised him, and as a result, life-giving "waters" have flowed out to all nations (in the Gospel). Those who drink of this "stream" will be refreshed and strengthened in their wilderness journey (John 4:14).
THE AMALEKITE ATTACK — THE POWER OF PRAYER
(Exodus 17:8-16)
Suddenly Israel faced a new danger. At Rephidim they were attacked from the rear by the cowardly Amalekites (Deut. 25:17-18).
Moses appointed Joshua as captain of an army which he sent forth against the enemy. They were unskilled in war and would certainly have suffered defeat if God had not helped. Moses took Aaron and Hur and on a high look-out point held up his arms in prayer to God on high.
Immediately the tide of battle turned and Israel was successful, but as soon as Moses' arms drooped through weariness the Amalekites started to win. So Aaron and Hur sat Moses on a stone and held up his hands until Israel had achieved a victory over Amalek. For their attack on His people, God declared an unending hatred of Amalek and towards those who like them would seek the opportunity to take advantage of Israel (Exod. 17:14-16). The action of Samuel against Agag, the king of all the Amalekites illustrates God's judgment against this nation (1 Sam. 15:2, 3).
The lesson for us from Rephidim is that prayer is powerful. We can gain strength from Yahweh when we ask Him to help.
Even now, Jesus sits at God's right hand to help those who will put their trust in him, believe his word and pray for strength (James 5:16; 1:5-6; Luke 18:1). God will deliver those who trust in Him and grant them the great victory over sin and death (2 Cor. 10:4-5; Phil. 4:13).
There is a time coming, too, when Christ with his saints as the all powerful commanders of Israel will subdue the nations to the rule of Christ (Isa. 55:4; Zech. 9:13, 14).
SUMMARY
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From what happened at Marah we learn that by obeying God's commandments we will obtain spiritual health and sweetness in our
wilderness journey.
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"Man does not live by bread alone but by every word of Yahweh". God has provided us with that food which, if we partake daily, will bring us into His Kingdom. The manna is a symbol for God's Word.
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Jesus styled himself "The true bread". The eating of this true bread will give eternal life. This is done when we read his Word and obey it, thus developing a Christ-like character in our own lives.
•Moses brought water out from the smitten rock which was a type of the Lord Jesus Christ. Living water (the Gospel) has flowed to all nations for them to drink and be healed.
•The defeat of Amalek points to the time when Christ will finally overcome all evil and establish Israel as the centre of the Kingdom.
•We must recognise our dependence upon God and pray continually for His guidance.
REFERENCE LIBRARY:
"Elpis Israel" (J. Thomas)—Pages 294, 295
"The Visible Hand Of God" (R. Roberts)—Chapter 15
"The Story Of The Bible" (H. P. Mansfield)—Pp. 279-306
"The Wilderness Of Life" (J. Martin)—C.S.S.S. Notes
PARAGRAPH QUESTIONS:
1. (a) How were the waters of Marah healed?
(b) What lesson was taught Israel by this?
2. What was the manna and in what way was the manna in the wilderness a type of Christ?
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What was the significance of the smiting of the rock at Rephidim?
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How were Israel able to defeat Amalek?
ESSAY QUESTIONS:
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What lessons do we learn from the giving of manna and water in the wilderness?
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How were the Amalekites defeated at Rephidim and what lessons do we learn from this incident?