Trust, Loyal Hearing, and Faithful Obedience

We have in the remainder of chapter 15 the beginning of Israel’s journey through the wilderness that includes a difficult trial. In fact, we will see in verse 25 in a moment when we read it that the Lord refers to it as a testing. This might seem a bit shocking to understand after just having read about the rejoicing that went on following the victory of the crossing of the Red Sea. However, we should be reminded that all too often, testing comes after victories.

I share this with you today because we need to be aware that this happens and then understand how God’s people have reacted historically and what the fallout is.

Read Exodus 15:22-27

This morning I have just two points for us to consider. First,

Be Prepared for Testing

The people of God have gone away from the Red Sea and come to a place called Marah. This was just three days from when they had been singing the praises of God and now have found themselves in an area without water that they are able to drink. This would clearly have been concerning to the people as they likely didn’t bring a whole lot of reserve water in the rush of leaving Egypt. So, what do you do when you find yourself in a difficult situation? When you are being tested, do you cry out to the Lord for His help?

Well, the people of Israel grumble to Moses, their leader. On the surface this just looks as though there is a lack of respect for Moses here and they are blaming him. However, as we dig a little deeper, we should consider the fact that Moses was placed as leader of Israel by God. This was what he was called to and therefore we can understand this to be implied grumbling against God for the situation they’d found themselves in. Unfortunately, to grumble is a characteristic of God’s people. Any time something doesn’t go our way, is different from what we are used to, or is slightly inconvenient, we grumble. This is the sort of spiritual amnesia I've made mention of before. We so quickly forget what God has done for us when we should still be rejoicing to a point where that rejoicing reminds us who our trust should be in.

What is the point of this testing? James 1:2-3.

James 1:2–3 ESV

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.

Moses does what the people should have done. He cries out to the Lord and God provides them with a resolution: a log. The log is thrown into the water and the water becomes drinkable. We should be clear here that there is no scientific reason why the wood of this tree would have made the water able to be consumed. This is simply a miracle of God.

The point I want to make here is that we would be far better off if we would simply turn to God during trial rather than any other direction. Once God provides the people with a solution, we can see a general direction for how the people ought to live. This is where I want to spend most of our time this morning.

God Desires Loyalty in Hearing and Obedience in Action

It is at Marah that the people of God receive instruction on how they ought to live. There are two phrases here that essentially mean the same thing.

Diligently listen to the voice of the Lord your God, and do that which is right in His eyes

Give ear to His commandments and keep all his statues.

Be in tune with the Holy Spirit in order to hear Him. Galatians 5, Walk by the spirit, led by the spirit, keep in step with the spirit.

Examine your life for the fruit of the Spirit

Do everything in your power to do what is right in the eyes of God. Do not look to your interpretation but to what He expects of those He has called to Himself.

Not only do what He would have for us to do but also keep them. Cherish the commands of the Lord. Know them well and place your focus on them.

If the people will do this, they will be kept from the punishment that the Egyptians faced. This is not to say that the people of God will always heal His people. There are people in this room that can attest to the fact that healing does not always come. There are times where it is not in God’s sovereign will to heal us. This was a promise made specific to that situation. So, what is the point that’s being made here? The blessing of God is dependent on our obedience. We must hear His commands and then keep them if we expect to receive God’s blessing.