Destracted Security
Notes
Transcript
Text: Exodus 16
The Need for Security…
Security is an intrinsic aspect of human existence, intricately woven into the fabric of our lives. While it may not be the sole meaning of life, it undeniably plays a vital role in shaping our experiences and determining our pursuit of happiness and fulfillment. Here, we delve into why security is such an important part of the meaning of life.
Security provides a foundation for basic human needs. Security is the cornerstone of safety; without it, individuals face constant threats to their physical well-being, making it challenging to address higher-level needs like belonging, esteem, and self-actualization.
Security fosters a sense of stability and predictability in our lives. When we have financial security, for example, we can plan for the future, set goals, and work towards achieving them. This stability enhances our mental and emotional well-being, allowing us to focus on personal growth and self-improvement. In this way, security provides the scaffolding upon which we build our aspirations.
Security also contributes to the formation of meaningful relationships. Trust is a fundamental element of human connections, and trust is deeply rooted in the perception of security. In personal relationships, whether romantic or familial, individuals seek emotional security, knowing that their loved ones are reliable and will provide support in times of need. Without this emotional security, forming and maintaining these bonds becomes challenging, leading to isolation and emotional distress.
Security extends to the societal and global levels. In a secure society, individuals are more likely to enjoy civil liberties, equal opportunities, and social justice. A lack of security can lead to unrest, conflict, and instability, eroding the quality of life for countless individuals. Hence, security is pivotal for the flourishing of not just individuals but entire communities and nations.
On a psychological level, security contributes to mental well-being. Insecure environments can lead to stress, anxiety, and even trauma. Chronic stress resulting from insecurity can have detrimental effects on physical health, further underscoring the importance of security in the pursuit of a fulfilling life. A secure environment, on the other hand, fosters emotional resilience and psychological stability, enabling individuals to face life's challenges with confidence.
Security enables personal freedom. Insecure individuals are often constrained by fear and uncertainty, limiting their choices and opportunities. When one feels secure in their environment, they are more likely to explore new avenues, take risks, and pursue their passions. This freedom to explore and express oneself is an essential component of a meaningful life.
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A month has passed between the time Israel departed from Egypt to the time the nation reached the Wilderness of Sin. Water had already been a problem (15:22-26) and now they had run out of food. They were frightened to the extent that they began to think about the “good ole days” back in Egypt, when they use to sing and eat. They became discouraged before they had hardly gotten started. They had been on the road only a few days and because they had missed a meal or two they were ready to go back to the slave camps of Egypt. The growling stomachs soon produced grumbling lips.
We have to notice that in Chapter 15 they sung song of praise to the Lord. Now a month later they again complain to the Lord. They are again been dissatisfy. They start to complain. The whole assembly grumbled against Moses and Aaron (16:2). They said they would rather have died in Egypt than to have been brought out into the desert to starve to death (16:3). How quickly they forget.
GRUMBLING IN THE DESERT
Amazing! Now they were wishing for the “good old days” back in Egypt. Their physical hunger pangs quelled their appetites for God. Had they forgotten that they were slaves in Egypt? They were ready to trade their freedom...for food.
Before we consider God’s response to the grumbling of Israelites, let’s noticed Israelites grumbling in the desert.
• They find something to complain about. (v.2) When food supplies started to dwindle, the people once grumbled about their circumstances instead of trusting God. The further they went into the wilderness, the more they grumbled: Why did Moses bring them here to die? Where could they find food in the desert, meat and vegetables? Complainers Always Find Something To Complain About!
• Their grumbling is out of faulty perception. (v.3)
Grumbling invariably causes us to distort the facts. The Israelites complain because in Egypt they “sat by the fleshpot and eat bread to the full.” How easily they forgot that they once slave in Egypt. They forgot that they are like human pack animals who either heeled to Pharaoh’s command or felt whip across their back?
Grumbling invariably causes us to distort the facts.
(a) There is exaggerated memory of the past. The children
of Israel exaggerated in their minds the benefits of Egypt. They said they “sat” by their flesh pots and ate “all they wanted” of a great variety of foods and meats. As slaves this could hardly be true. They conveniently forgot about the lash of the taskmaster and the anguish of their hearts to be free as they did the backbreaking work of the Pharaoh.
(b) Their perception of the imminent danger of starvation was also greatly exaggerated.
• The Israelites grumbled against their leaders. (v8) The people had forgotten that it was God who was leading them, not only by Moses, but also by the cloud which was before them (cf. Exo. 13:21-22; 16:10). . As Moses points out, their complaint against their leaders represents a complaint against the Lord, for the Lord in his sovereignty gave the leaders to the people. However, the Israelites thought that their murmuring is against Moses. This is a tragic misconception. Complainers Are Always Looking For Someone To Blame!
• They grumbled because they are not satisfied with WHAT they are given. (vv.13-15) The people of Israel grumbled because what was provided is not what they expect. The flake- like substance, later to be called manna, was to be gathered each day but not saved until the next day. The people need to understand that the Lord is a giver. Their conception of him needs to be changed. What better way than to see him provide for them each morning? The Lord is teaching them to depend on his provision.
• They grumbled because they are not satisfied with HOW MUCH they are given. (vv.17-22). In verse sixteen the children of Israel are given specific instructions about how to gather the manna. Having run out of food in the wilderness, so that the Israelites feared that they would starve to death. The Hebrews were fearful they would starve if they will not gather more foods more than what they commanded to do so. This is a direct violation to the command of God. These instructions were intended to test the Israelites as well as to teach them obedience and increase their faith.
Having run out of food in the wilderness, so that the Israelites feared that they would starve to death, one can only imagine the zeal with which they harvested the first provision of manna. There was enough manna, it would seem, for every Israelite to have filled his tent. But the efforts to hoard the manna were direct disobedience to the God’s instructions. It would seem that Israel was guilty of two sins; greed and grumbling.
Arthur Pink Estimates
“Now a Conservative estimate of the total number of Israelites who came out of Egypt would be two million for they had six hundred thousand men able to go forth to war (Numbers 1:45-46). An “omer” was to be gathered for every one of these two million souls and an “omer” is the equivalent of six pints. There would be twelve million pints, or nine thousand pounds gathered daily, which was four thousand five hundred tons. Hence, ten trains, each having thirty cars and each car having fifteen tons would be needed for a single day’s supply. Over a million tons of manna were gathered annually by Israel.”
[Arthur Pink. Gleanings in Exodus. (Chicago: Moody, 1981.) pp. 124-125.]
Was God not generous to them. According to verse 35 he did for forty years, “And the children of Israel ate manna forty years, until they came to an inhabited land; they ate manna until they came to the border of the land of Canaan.”
What you are watching is the test that these Children of Jacob are undergoing. They are being subjected to the test of Enough…
A question that you and I face on a regular basis. Can God provide enough?
If I follow him can I trust that God will give all that I need to be happy. To be whole, To be moving forward.
And we see that Christians are facing these same tests.
Entire denominations today are using the dollar amount in the account as a litmus test as to whether or not they are being blessed by God.
We allow the financial needs that we get ourselves into as a reason to put God on the back burner. And we teach our children that to meet their own needs is more important than surrender to God. We would never say it that way but if we are honest we fear that God may not be able to provide enough.
This is at its core a question of Trust.
In whom do we place our trust.
The irony is that many that trust this dollar forget that on this same dollar it says in God we trust.
Here is the indicator that we failing this test.
Complaining
Here’s the test as to whether or not you kids are passing the test.
Complaining
Dangers of Grumbling
Grumbling Causes Undue Fear
Grumbling Causes Unity to Dissipate
According to verse 2, “the whole congregation of the children of israel murmured...” What had begun with only a few now had contaminated the whole congregation. Grumbling is a contagious problem.
Grumbling Causes Weariness to Magnify
They had stopped this was the time to rest and get built back up. But their weariness only magnified in the face of what they lacked.
When you start to complain make sure your attitude isn’t because you have failed to Rest in him properly.
GOD’S RESPONSE
Knowing that Israel’s grumbling was the result of her lack of faith, God responded not with anger or judgment, but with provision. With abundance. With grace.
Sometimes while have our eyes on Canaan we get our heart set on Egypt.
Here’s the issue…
Certainly, here are the references to Jesus saying "I am the bread" in the King James Version (KJV) of the Bible:
1. John 6:35
And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.
2. John 6:48-51
I am that bread of life. Your fathers did eat manna in the wilderness, and are dead. This is the bread which cometh down from heaven, that a man may eat thereof, and not die. I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.
Understand that in Christ the needs of the believer are met. He is our security. He is the focus of the disciple. We are commanded by him not to fear what we shall eat or what we shall wear because he is the one that handles it. We can rest assured that his provision is good.
It is in Christ that I can find the ability to trust God when it seems all is going to fail. I can put my hope in him and watch him provide for my need.
But if this were natural then we would have no need for the command of Scripture.
Because we fail to see complaining as the sin of faithlessness that it is.
Trust in the Lord with all thine heart;
And lean not unto thine own understanding.
In all thy ways acknowledge him,
And he shall direct thy paths.
When the children of Israel finally stopped banging their collective heads against the wall, this is what they did. They agreed to trust God. It took them forty years of wandering in the desert, but it did happen, and they stopped complaining against their leadership, and began to move together as a family.
I know that not all churches or families or businesses will move at the same rate; God has not given everyone the same capabilities. However, I don’t know of a single church that cannot grow if they band together to trust God and work at it. I don’t know of a single individual or family that can’t make progress by deciding to trust God more and stop complaining. I know our nation would be a lot better off if there were less complaining and more decision to trust God.
2. Look to the Lord for his supply
• List a few of the great things that God has going in your
life right now.
• List to the daily things that God IS doing for you.
• List the things that Christ is doing in your private world.
What it means to be gods people
he provides and receives his glory
no wonder when doubt his provision we forget his glory
• Purpose when you come to God’s House
• Focus on a Private Life
• Determine to take the Humble and Teachable route.
4. Establish a Daily collection
Let God handle tomorrow. Don’t try to take on tomorrows worries now.
We, like the ancient Hebrews, often grumble when we think God has mistreated or forgotten us.
Jesus Christ is not only our deliverer from sin; HE is our:
• Sustainer
• Provider
• Champion
They had their eyes on Canaan and their heart on Egypt.
There were some that went hungry - went out on Sabbath