Trials and Tests

Introduction

The Exodus event - Israel’s freedom from slavery mirrors our own salvation from sin and death through Jesus Christ.

Exodus 15:22–27 (PtW Ex): Since the book of Exodus set the pattern for Christ, it is not surprising that it also sets the pattern for the Christian.

ILLUST - Something that has happened to me that I warn someone about but they don’t take my advice and it backfires on them

1 Corinthians 10:11 (ESV)

11 Now these things happened to them as an example, but they were written down for our instruction, on whom the end of the ages has come.

“This miracle of grace brought the Israelites to saving faith. They saw, they believed, and they worshiped.

What comes next? To put the question in terms of the Christian life, what comes after saving faith? Once a sinner has turned to Christ for salvation, what happens next? The answer is sanctification—the long, hard, difficult process of being conformed to the holiness of God.”

— Philip Ryken, “Saved for God’s Glory”

Why this process? Why not from salvation straight into the glory of the Promised Land?

What did the Israelites need to learn? Why remain?

They needed to learn 1) who God is and 2) how to live in relationship with Him, so that they might be a light to the nations.

Exodus 9:14 (ESV)

14 For this time I will send all my plagues on you yourself, and on your servants and your people, so that you may know that there is none like me in all the earth.

Exodus 9:16 (ESV)

16 But for this purpose I have raised you up, to show you my power, so that my name may be proclaimed in all the earth.

Isaiah 49:6 (ESV)

6 he says: “It is too light a thing that you should be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob and to bring back the preserved of Israel; I will make you as a light for the nations, that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth.”

Acts 13:47 (ESV)

47 For so the Lord has commanded us, saying, “ ‘I have made you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.’ ”

God saves people to send people so other people might be saved.

God saved YOU to send YOU so other people might be saved.

Exodus 15:22–16:36 (ESV)

22 Then Moses made Israel set out from the Red Sea, and they went into the wilderness of Shur. They went three days in the wilderness and found no water.

23 When they came to Marah, they could not drink the water of Marah because it was bitter; therefore it was named Marah.

24 And the people grumbled against Moses, saying, “What shall we drink?” 25 And he cried to the Lord, and the Lord showed him a log, and he threw it into the water, and the water became sweet.

Been travelling for three days - no water

Yay! Water found - bad water

What is God doing?! Can you believe this? What are we going to do?

Notice the contrast - the people grumbled and Moses prayed.

The people grumbled.

Had they really forgotten what God had just done?

Just a few days before God had parted the water and now they didn’t think to ask him to sweeten it?

They know God can affect the water - he turned the Nile into blood and parted the Red Sea.

They know he is still with them and that he had led them to where they are - they can see the cloud leading them.

“That was yesterday - This is today”

Grumble = “murmur” - used 14 times from Ex - Jos

In all cases it is the nation of Israel that is doing the grumbling and it is always against their leaders - Moses, Aaron, and sometimes God Himself.

More than a simple voicing of dissatisfaction of current circumstances. It was in essence a rebellion against what they believed God could do.

Grumbling is a verbal lack of faith

We may call it “complaining”

“When the people murmured against Moses, it was mutiny against Almighty God”

— Philip Ryken, Exodus—Saved for God's Glory (Israel’s Protest)

What actual effect does grumbling have on the situation?

The only thing grumbling does is make you grumpy.

The only thing grumbling will do is turn a bitter situation into a bitter heart.

Grumbling is spiritually dangerous:

1. Forgets God.

Forgetfulness leads to faithlessness

Forgetfulness of what God has done leads to faithlessness for what God can do.

Two main reasons we complain about our situation:

We don’t know who God is

We have forgotten who God is.

how could they forget all that God had done?

How can we forget even after celebrating Easter just last week?

2. Creates an evil heart.

1 Corinthians 10:6 (ESV)

6 Now these things took place as examples for us, that we might not desire evil as they did.

What evil did they desire?

Numbers 11:4–6 (ESV)

4 Now the rabble that was among them had a strong craving. And the people of Israel also wept again and said, “Oh that we had meat to eat! 5 We remember the fish we ate in Egypt that cost nothing, the cucumbers, the melons, the leeks, the onions, and the garlic. 6 But now our strength is dried up, and there is nothing at all but this manna to look at.”

disdain for God’s provision while they make their journey as FREE PEOPLE to the PROMISED LAND.

Instead they long to fill their appetites even if it means slavery.

3. Destroys your witness.

Anti-evangelistic

Would you want to join up with the Israelites after hearing their grumbling?

“You follow Yahweh, right? How’s that going?”

“Well, it’s no Egypt, I’ll tell you that! Every time I turn around there is no water or no food! I wish we had just died in Egypt with our bellies full, than follow Him our here into the wilderness. It sure doesn’t seem worth it. All we’ve had is trouble.”

You ready to sign up?

How many unbelievers are willing to follow Jesus when his followers grumble about their lot in life?

grumble about politics

not having enough money

how unfair work is

how everyone is against them

you can’t see how this problem will work out

When you complain about the circumstances around you, what does that say about the God with you?

People with a lack of faith RARELY lead others TO faith.

Sometimes we do it without even realizing it.

Is your reaction different than those you work with when it comes to money, work, etc?

How could it be different?

Do you speak in a way that leaves room for God to be faithful?

And Moses prayed.

Which was more effective?

The situation changed when Moses prayed

Grumbling makes you grumpy - prayers are effective.

Before we criticize the Israelites, we should take stock of our own lives:

Ever have a situation go from bad to worse? What is your first response? Complain or pray?

Is your reaction, “This has got me” or “God has got this?”

1 Corinthians 10:1–12 (ESV)

1 For I do not want you to be unaware, brothers, that our fathers were all under the cloud, and all passed through the sea, 2 and all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea, 3 and all ate the same spiritual food, 4 and all drank the same spiritual drink.

6 Now these things took place as examples for us, that we might not desire evil as they did.

9 We must not . . . grumble, as some of them did and were destroyed by the Destroyer. 11 Now these things happened to them as an example, but they were written down for our instruction, on whom the end of the ages has come. 12 Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall.

There the Lord made for them a statute and a rule, and there he tested them, 26 saying, “If you will diligently listen to the voice of the Lord your God, and do that which is right in his eyes, and give ear to his commandments and keep all his statutes, I will put none of the diseases on you that I put on the Egyptians, for I am the Lord, your healer.”

What was the desired outcome for the test?

That they might know more about how wonderful God is.

Yahweh Rapha = The God who Heals

Psalm 103:2–3 (ESV)

2 Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, 3 who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases,

Psalm 147:3 (ESV)

3 He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.

God tests you to reveal your character and show you His.

God is giving them a character test - not only a test that would reveal the character of the Israelites but a test that reveals the character of God.

Sometimes we approach the tests we had in high school:

“Why did I get a bad grade on my test?”

“Did you study? - NO”

“Did you listen and remember what your teacher talked about? - NO”

“Did you ‘diligently listen to the voice of the Lord your God?’ - NO”

“Did you ‘do that which is right in his eyes, and give ear to his commandments?’ - NO”

Who really needs to to the harder thing here? Listen and obey God’s good and gracious direction for life and He will provide for you and heal you.

27 Then they came to Elim, where there were twelve springs of water and seventy palm trees, and they encamped there by the water.

Second episode of grumbling:

The people depart from “Palm Springs”

2 And the whole congregation of the people of Israel grumbled against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness, 3 and the people of Israel said to them, “Would that we had died by the hand of the Lord in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the meat pots and 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 am about to rain bread from heaven for you, and the people shall go out and gather a day’s portion every day, that I may test them, whether they will walk in my law or not. 5 On the sixth day, when they prepare what they bring in, it will be twice as much as they gather daily.”

6 So Moses and Aaron said to all the people of Israel, “At evening you shall know that it was the Lord who brought you out of the land of Egypt, 7 and in the morning you shall see the glory of the Lord, because he has heard your grumbling against the Lord. For what are we, that you grumble against us?” 8 And Moses said, “When the Lord gives you in the evening meat to eat and in the morning bread to the full, because the Lord has heard your grumbling that you grumble against him—what are we? Your grumbling is not against us but against the Lord.”

9 Then Moses said to Aaron, “Say to the whole congregation of the people of Israel, ‘Come near before the Lord, for he has heard your grumbling.’ ” 10 And as soon as Aaron spoke to the whole congregation of the people of Israel, they looked toward the wilderness, and behold, the glory of the Lord appeared in the cloud. 11 And the Lord said to Moses, 12 “I have heard the grumbling of the people of Israel. Say to them, ‘At twilight you shall eat meat, and in the morning you shall be filled with bread. Then you shall know that I am the Lord your God.’ ”

13 In the evening quail came up and covered the camp, and in the morning dew lay around the camp.

Flake-like thing - manna - “What is it?”

And Moses said to them, “It is the bread that the Lord has given you to eat.

16 This is what the Lord has commanded: (TEST)

Gather enough for the people with them.

Whatever they gathered - they all ended up with enough

— Do not leave any until morning

20 But they did not listen to Moses. Some left part of it till the morning, and it bred worms and stank. And Moses was angry with them.

FAIL

Sixth day they gathered twice as much - next day Sabbath - no work - gather enough for Sabbath - prepare - won’t spoil

24 So they laid it aside till the morning, as Moses commanded them, and it did not stink, and there were no worms in it. 25 Moses said, “Eat it today, for today is a Sabbath to the Lord; today you will not find it in the field. 26 Six days you shall gather it, but on the seventh day, which is a Sabbath, there will be none.” 27 On the seventh day some of the people went out to gather, but they found none. 28 And the Lord said to Moses, “How long will you refuse to keep my commandments and my laws?

It seems they passed part of this test and failed the other part. The Israelites passed on gathering too much and keeping it until the next day (something they did any way when disobeying)

They passed how to TAKE God’s provision, but they failed in TRUSTING for God’s provision.

Israelites keep failing when it comes to trusting God for the next day.

God says SEE! I will do it for you.

Save some for generations later.

35 The people of Israel ate the manna forty years, till they came to a habitable land. They ate the manna till they came to the border of the land of Canaan. 36 (An omer is the tenth part of an ephah.)

Notice the rhythm they needed to keep - Going out every morning to gather for the day and every sixth day to gather twice as much.

Could God have given them enough on one day to last them throughout the journey - Yes.

But each day they needed to wake up and ask, “Will God provide today?”

Until one day (5 years, 10 / 20 / 40 years) the question turns to a statement, “God WILL provide today.”

Forty years of learning to trust God.

Different day - Same God.

*How long would you need?

Do you suppose this is why Jesus taught his disciples to pray,

“Give us this day our daily bread?”

Jesus didn’t teach us to pray, “Give us a stash of bread to last us until you return.” Nor, “Give us a bread factory so we can make the bread ourselves.”

Jesus wanted us to rely on our Good Father for our needs every day.

God, your mercy is new every morning, and it’s morning.

God gives grace even to grumblers

Exodus—Saved for God's Glory (How Sweet It is!)

God’s grace is so amazing that he even provides for whiners, provided that we really are his children

How do you typically respond to your children when they whine?

God’s response is to give grace

God had anticipated his own grace:

God showed Moses a “tree” - the tree would have needed to have grown at the hand of the Creator

Just a reminder that God is never surprised by our problems.

Jesus is God’s greatest gift to the grumblers:

John 6:49–50 (ESV)

49 Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, and they died. 50 This is the bread that comes down from heaven, so that one may eat of it and not die.

Three ways to combat complaint:

REMEMBER the God who leads you.

Remember what God has done

Remember what God can do

TRUST that He is leading you.

The GOOD God is leading you to a GOOD place in a GOOD way.

WAKE UP and see His faithfulness.

Turn your problems into prayers and SEE what God will do.

God, you know the situation.

God, you know I can’t see a way out.

God, you are leading me, so please provide for me.

Psalm 142:1–2 (ESV)

1 With my voice I cry out to the Lord; with my voice I plead for mercy to the Lord. 2 I pour out my complaint before him; I tell my trouble before him.

sorrow (Psalm 137), anger (Psalm 140), fear (Psalm 69), longing (Psalm 85), confusion (Psalm 102), desolation (Psalm 22), repentance (Psalm 51), disappointment (Psalm 74), or depression (Psalm 88)

Psalm Challenge:

Read Psalm Every day this week like picking manna every morning.

Psalm 37 (ESV) — Of David.

4 Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. 5 Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will act. 6 He will bring forth your righteousness as the light, and your justice as the noonday. 7 Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way, over the man who carries out evil devices!

23 The steps of a man are established by the Lord, when he delights in his way; 24 though he fall, he shall not be cast headlong, for the Lord upholds his hand. 25 I have been young, and now am old, yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken or his children begging for bread. 26 He is ever lending generously, and his children become a blessing.

39 The salvation of the righteous is from the Lord; he is their stronghold in the time of trouble. 40 The Lord helps them and delivers them; he delivers them from the wicked and saves them, because they take refuge in him.

Psalm 33 (ESV) — 1 Shout for joy in the Lord, O you righteous! Praise befits the upright. 2 Give thanks to the Lord with the lyre; make melody to him with the harp of ten strings! 3 Sing to him a new song; play skillfully on the strings, with loud shouts. 4 For the word of the Lord is upright, and all his work is done in faithfulness.

18 Behold, the eye of the Lord is on those who fear him, on those who hope in his steadfast love, 19 that he may deliver their soul from death and keep them alive in famine. 20 Our soul waits for the Lord; he is our help and our shield. 21 For our heart is glad in him, because we trust in his holy name. 22 Let your steadfast love, O Lord, be upon us, even as we hope in you.

Psalm 103 (ESV) — Of David. 1 Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name! 2 Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, 3 who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, 4 who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, 5 who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.