PASTOR’S NOTES
For you have brought us out into this wilderness to kill this whole assembly with hunger.”
Do you remember earlier in Exodus when Moses was fearful and complaining with God? Do you remember how frustrating it was each week to hear all of his doubt, excuses, and lack of faith? I would have people come to me after service and say, “I just do not understand what Moses does not see!”
Now imagine Moses multiplied by hundreds of thousands! If it was frustrating to listen to Moses gripe and complain, just imagine an entire nation.
As we move past slavery and we are months into freedom, we are going to see more and more complaining from God’s people. God’s people, even after salvation still gripe and complain as we get deeper into the story. Whining and complaining seems to be Israel’s go-to sin and the further they got from salvation, the more they complained.
When it comes to our complaints, its important for us to realize that our gripes are never caused by our outward circumstances, but more about the inward condition of our sinful hearts.
The truth about the recently saved Israelites is that they are new to faith. They are not use to freedom or being faithful. So what we see is that even the saved can act as if they are lost.
Yes the Israelites were scared, tired, hungry, and thirsty for understandable reasons, but that was not what fueled their complaints. If we dig deep enough we will find that their complaints were driven out of an untrusting heart towards God.
The people were thankful for each and every blessing, but they did not trust the One who gave them. The Israelites did not believe that God would provide daily provisions which led to always doubting and griping about each wall they encountered.
Even though as a reader we become frustrated with all of the ups and downs of the Israelites, we have to admit that we are very much like them at times. God has done so much in the lives of those who have placed their trust in Christ and we still complain as if He hasn’t. Our circumstances do not drive us to this unhealthy space, its our untrusting relationship with God that does.
In John, Jesus faces the same situation with the men who were following Him. They complained and spoke of needs to where He pointed them to something greater than water and bread, the living bread of God!
“Truly, truly, I say to you, it was not Moses who gave you bread from Heaven, but my father gives you the true bread from heaven.” The people did not fully understand what Christ was even talking about, but we do. Jesus was speaking about Himself. That He is the only bread and provision that is needed and He was and continues to be offered to those who are hungry.
Through all the complaints in Exodus, we see a people who are lacking faith in God’s daily provisions. Today we are called to learn from their mistakes. We are called to walk faithfully with a joyful spirit in all circumstances because we know that through Christ, all needs will be met for His glory.
SCRIPTURE TO GO ALONG WITH THE MESSAGE
I want you to read John 6:26-33 on Jesus being our bread of life and the mention of Exodus in the NT.
HIGHLIGHT IN YOUR BIBLES
Highlight each provision you see in chapters 16 & 17. As the people complained about not being provided for, spend time focusing on all the provisions.
