Unbelievable Unbelief

intro me - away lots

We’ve been working our way through one of the great foundational stories of God’s ancient people as told in the bible book Exodus these last few months. And just to zoom you up to speed if you’ve not been with us or you need a wee reminder:

God has unleashed ten mighty plagues on Egypt as each time Pharaoh refuses to let God’s people go - but after the last, most terrible plague, he finally releases them - then changes his mind and gives chase with his army.

God’s people end up trapped on the shore of the Red Sea - but God miraculously opens a way through. As they make their escape, the Egyptians are in hot pursuit - then God closes the sea, destroying the Egyptians; they’re finally free.

After a bit of sing song, “He did it!”, they’re led off into the desert by God. After three days they’re thirsty, grumbling at finding undrinkable water - but God makes it good.

Six weeks into their story they’re grumbling again: food has run out but God provides meat and Manna, “bread from heaven,” enough to feed them each day.

And that’s where we pick up the story - what a string of miracles they have lived through! All in the space of just a few weeks! It’s been like drinking neat super-concentrate miracle juice! Their faith in this God who rescues and provides - and who has great plans for them - is surely unshakeable and iron-strong by now. I can’t wait to see where they’ll go with it. So let’s pick up the story together in Exodus chapter 17. Exodus 17, that’s page 75 in our blue bibles. Look for the big 17 and let’s read together. Page 75, and _____ is reading for us today.

Exodus 17:1–7 NIV

The whole Israelite community set out from the Desert of Sin, traveling from place to place as the Lord commanded. They camped at Rephidim, but there was no water for the people to drink. So they quarreled with Moses and said, “Give us water to drink.” Moses replied, “Why do you quarrel with me? Why do you put the Lord to the test?” But the people were thirsty for water there, and they grumbled against Moses. They said, “Why did you bring us up out of Egypt to make us and our children and livestock die of thirst?” Then Moses cried out to the Lord, “What am I to do with these people? They are almost ready to stone me.” The Lord answered Moses, “Go out in front of the people. Take with you some of the elders of Israel and take in your hand the staff with which you struck the Nile, and go. I will stand there before you by the rock at Horeb. Strike the rock, and water will come out of it for the people to drink.” So Moses did this in the sight of the elders of Israel. And he called the place Massah and Meribah because the Israelites quarreled and because they tested the Lord saying, “Is the Lord among us or not?”

God can

First thing we need to see today: God can do it. God can do it - whatever “it” is. Nothing is impossible for God. There are people who say Moses got just the right spot where the rock was thin over an underground spring and blah blah it’s all perfectly natural, no big deal. Frankly, it’s embarrassing to try and explain this as something natural. It’s blatantly supernatural and that’s the point. We believe in and worship a God who can do the impossible. A God who can do things that make no natural sense whatsoever.

Yes, he created an orderly natural world which behaves in predictable ways, where water evaporates from the seas, is carried in the clouds, rains down over mountains, and flows down rivers back into the sea. But the one who created this world out of nothing is perfectly able to break those rules in the most outlandish ways. And that’s what we have here: water, gallons of water, gushing out of a solid rock. You can’t explain it. Where could all that water possibly come from? Where was it before it poured out on the dry ground? It doesn’t make natural sense. But that’s no problem for God.

If you’re not a Christian here today, just want to be upfront with you: we believe in a God with all power, a God who can do anything, literally anything he wants. I’m not embarrassed about that, and Christians didn’t ought to be either. Our faith absolutely rests on God being able to do the impossible, to break the rules of nature - because our whole faith hangs on Jesus really being raised from the dead. Now I’m not saying this water/rock stuff is an everyday thing - it’s a big enough deal that those ancient people wrote it down when writing stuff down was hard. It’s a big enough deal that this story has been preserved for us down through thousands of years. It’s not every day that God totally breaks the rules of this natural world He created.

But God can do it - whatever “it” is. That why we worship Him as God. That’s who we invite you to come and worship with us. Who cares about any so-called gods who are under nature rather than over it? gods who are subject to it, just like us? So that’s our first thing: God can do it - whatever “it” is. That’s as true today as it was back then. Yes, maybe you won’t see water start pouring out of a rock - I’ve never seen that - but Christians should have no question over whether God could do it. And maybe this is just what you need to hear this morning because, frankly, you need a miracle. Well, good news, our God is a God of miracles. God can do it - whatever “it” is.

So what about these ancient people? Do they get that?

Forgetful people

Who here can still remember anything about September? Just anything at all? Like the sun? daylight? warmth? Was there even a month called September? It’s hard to remember in these dark days.

Except, being serious, it’s not really that hard to remember September. Ok, ok, maybe you had a super-dull September and are truly drawing a blank on it. But let’s imagine the most epic thing ever happened to you back in September. Think you could remember that? What about a massive string of epic things one after the other filling your September to the brim. Think you might have just a wee dim recollection of them still left by November?

Well, that’s about how long it’s been for God’s people since those plagues and the parting of the sea: Less than two months - the next time-marker we’ll get is the start of the third month down in Exodus 19 so we’re not even into that third month yet. It’s amazing how transformational a few weeks packed full of concentrated miracles are, what that can do for you, right?

There’s no water. Just like there was no food last week. Now God did miraculously provide that food - but, I mean, food is one thing. Water quite another, right? So as God’s people start to get thirsty - and I do think the story reads like they are just starting to get thirsty, not dropping dead, by the way - as God’s people start to get thirsty, what are they thinking? “we’re all going to die!” Exodus 17:3

Exodus 17:3 NIV

But the people were thirsty for water there, and they grumbled against Moses. They said, “Why did you bring us up out of Egypt to make us and our children and livestock die of thirst?”

Angry demands

And they demand Moses deliver an immediate fix: “Give us water to drink.” And “right now” is the unspoken tail, not “please”; “right now” allcaps, bold and underlined! We can see this is no polite, respectful, gentle ask as moments later Moses tells God they are almost ready to stone him - to kill him!

If you’ve been with us the past few weeks, this is so deja vu: Just like with the bitter water, just like with the lack of food, there are no prayers to God; there’s no declaration of faith in the God who’s saved them and provided for them thus far. Instead there are angry words and hostile questions. And this time, legal action - not just grumbling. God’s people are calling their solicitor and they’re going to sue - that word “quarrelled” has a legal sense, as we see when the same word is used a bit later - Deut 25:1

Deuteronomy 25:1 NIV

When people have a dispute [=quarrel], they are to take it to court and the judges will decide the case, acquitting the innocent and condemning the guilty.

They’re thirsty - and they’re not just going to make snarky comments on social media, they’re taking Moses to court over it, planning to sue him for every penny he’s got. At this point, I think we should be feeling a bit sorry for Moses - I mean is this really his fault? Why pick on Moses when we’re told they’ve travelled from place to place “as the LORD commanded?” - and presumably the LORD is commanding this through the rather obviously supernatural pillar of cloud or fire like he’s done up to this point Ex 13:21 - so why pick on Moses? Why not just take it up with the big guy himself?

Exodus 13:21 NIV

By day the Lord went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to guide them on their way and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so that they could travel by day or night.

Testing God

Moses is God’s representative - but he’s right to point out Ex 17:2b it’s really the LORD they are testing - just like last time: just like we saw last week too.

Exodus 17:2 NIV

So they quarreled with Moses and said, “Give us water to drink.” Moses replied, “Why do you quarrel with me? Why do you put the Lord to the test?”

Exodus 16:8 NIV

"Who are we? You are not grumbling against us, but against the Lord.”

God’s people are testing God - they are testing Him - Moses is right. Now, why do we “test” something or someone? There are two main reasons: to evaluate or to verify. To evaluate or to verify. We test to see see how they measure up, how they perform compared to others - that’s evaluation. Like exams testing students. Or we test to see if they perform as expected, if they do what they ought to - that’s verification. Like crash testing cars.

So what is it, exactly, that God’s people are testing here? What are they trying to evaluate or verify? Are they trying to verify -to prove- God will provide for them, to check He’ll quench their thirst, meet their needs? Do they really have a question about whether He will do that? Does God really need to prove that to them?

I mean, think about this: presumably they aren’t hungry - or they would have complained about that too; they are good at complaining, right? I don’t think they’d miss an opportunity like that. Well, like we heard last week, God’s provision of food for them through manna was an every day thing. So we have to assume they got up that very morning and went out and collected their miraculous food which had fallen out of the sky - fair enough it might be baked rather than boiled for lack of water, but still, God had provided the food they needed that very morning. Can they really doubt God’s provision of water while experiencing His provision of food? How is that something they could need to test?

Or is their question really about God’s presence with them like Ex 17:7 suggests? So they need to verify - to prove - God is really with them? As if they could be thinking “Ummm, I’m not really sure if God is with us or not,” while staring at the giant pillar of cloud or fire which has been leading them through the desert these last two months...

Will God provide? Is He really with us? If it’s verification that’s in view, both of these are trivially proved through their own senses and should need no further test. Clearly God is providing - you ate the baked manna this morning, probably still got some stuck in your teeth; clearly God is present - the pillar’s right in front of you, plain as day even in the night! Can’t miss it. Their need to test, their unbelief is, frankly, unbelievable.

Insulting God

You know, their unbelief is so unbelievable - just weeks on from the plagues and the exodus, eating the manna, under the cloud - it’s so unbelievable … that I don’t believe it. I don’t think they actually are testing -or verifying- God’s power, or provision, or presence. As I’ve been thinking about this passage this week, I’m increasingly convinced that’s not what we’re actually seeing here. That’s not their real test for God. I actually think they believe God is with them. And I actually think they believe God could do it - will do it, even. I think their test is whether He will do it right now, on their schedule, on their command.

One commentator has us imagine a mother in the kitchen, busy cooking, chopping and stirring, and a child asking her “are we going to have any dinner tonight?” That’s what it’s like. It’s an insult, a questioning of God’s character, a demand for immediate action. “chop! chop! God, let’s get some water out here.”

God’s people are absolutely testing God. They are evaluating: Is the LORD good? Good to us? Not just when he leads us beside still waters, but even when he leads deep into a dry dry desert. Is the LORD really on our side? Will He do what we want … when we want it?

Oh you foolish Israelites; how could you doubt God’s good plans for you after all He has done for you? How could you still demand more when He’s already given you so much: your food, your freedom? How could you not just sit quietly confident, chewing your manna and waiting for his faithfulness and provision with thankful hearts? Well, at least we never do that. Right? Right? ...

So often, we put God to the test. We try and evaluate Him, questioning the goodness of His plans for us. Is this really the best thing for me? The best you can do? We demand he dance to our tune. We demand he work to our schedule.

To our shame, we put God to the test. To my shame, I put God to the test, evaluating Him, judging Him. Now we do this before accepting him as Saviour and Lord, but we do it after that, too. We insult God by putting him to the test, doubting him, questioning him. Despite his endless goodness towards us.

God is Testing

There’s another layer here, though. Consider with me who is really testing whom in this story. ‘Cause remember, God’s people are not just arbitrarily wondering around the desert sightseeing, running into whatever randomly comes their way, they are travelling “as the LORD commanded”. It is the LORD who has led them into this situation. Why would God lead them from a place of provision into a place of such need? Why would God do that? Do you know what, it’s a test - a test for them. Deut 8:2

Deuteronomy 8:2 NIV

Remember how the Lord your God led you all the way in the wilderness these forty years, to humble and test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep his commands.

God is testing His people at the very same time they dare to test Him. But why would God need to test His people? Could it really be that He’s not sure how it’s going to turn out? Not sure how they’ll do or whether they’ll pass? Does God really need to verify or evaluate them? Does he need a test to know what’s in their heart? No! God knows them, sees right through them, to the centre to the core. He knows exactly what will happen when he leads them into this thirsty test.

Then what’s the point of the test if God already knows the outcome? It’s not for Him - it’s for them… and for us. God’s testing of His people reveals their heart. It reveals their heart to anyone who chooses to see. They have been tested and they’ve failed; their wicked faithlessness is revealed, ignoring the evidence of God’s provision in their mouths and His presence before their eyes, daring to question his goodness. Their demanding selfishness is revealed: give me what I want, when I want it. They’ve failed the test, and what’s in their heart is revealed to anyone who chooses to see.

But if you’re sat here this morning, hearing how God led his ancient people into trial, into testing, and thinking “thank goodness I’m not one of them” I have some bad news for you: God allows, even plans and places, tests and trials in your life too. Look, if anyone has sold you a version of Christianity which promises everything is awesome all of the time then I am sorry to be the bearer of bad tidings but I’ve checked, and that’s not in here [bible].

And let me take the opportunity while I’m at it to make things even worse: The bible tells us there will be tests and trials in your life not as a punishment because you’ve been bad, or even as a bit of an accident after you missed a turning God wanted you to take, but even when you are walking in His will, following Him with obedience, going God’s way. See, the Israelites followed God right into this test. And Jesus? The Holy Spirit led him right into great tests and trials. So you and me? We’d better be expecting this, too, not go acting all surprised if God leads us into a place of need, a difficult place, a testing place.

Just as that ancient people were tested, and their hearts were revealed, this same God still leads His people into trial and testing, into places of thirst and lack and struggle. And as much as we dare to test God in those moments - questioning whether He’s really for us, really good; demanding that He open the door out right now, giving us what we want, when we want it - God also tests us, revealing who we really are. Not because He didn’t know already, or wasn’t sure how it would turn out - He sees right through you and me, to the centre, to the core. And He knows exactly what will happen when he puts us to the test - but God tests us to reveal to us how faithless, how forgetful, how selfish we truly are.

Christian, have you lived through a test, a trial? Are in you in the middle of one right now? Then see what God is revealing to you about your own heart through it. Have you forgotten all the good He has done to you and in you and for you through all the years you’ve walked with him? I have. Have you doubted whether He is really good to you, really has good plans for you, whether this really could be the best path? I have. Have you demanded He does things for you, works to your schedule not His? I have. We need to see our own hearts, see our own failings through God’s tests. And humble ourselves before Him and confess: God is good. All the time. God is faithful. Always. God is wise, right, just - perfectly so in every dimension.

Let God show you your own heart; take a look in. It’s rarely a pretty sight - but closing your eyes to it isn’t going to make things any better.

God leads us into trials but it’s so important we get this - it’s not because He’s mean or harsh or has got it in for us. It is for our good. For our good. We must humbly submit to Him and His good plans - even to times of trial and testing - because God is at work in them. At work on us. Here’s Peter, James and Paul, three pillars of the earliest church:

1 Peter 1:6-7 “… now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honour when Jesus Christ is revealed”

James 1:2–3 “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.”

Rom 5:3-4 “we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.”

God is Gracious to Failures

But that’s still not all this story has to teach us - because that’s not the end of this story. There’s one last surprise in today’s passage: how God responds. How He responds to their testing of Him, their doubting of His goodness and faithfulness, their demands for His action. How he responds to His testing of them, revealing them as faithless, forgetful and impatient.

Are that thirsty, faithless people suddenly consumed by the pillar of fire? Drowned under a flood of God’s wrath like Noah’s wicked world? No, they receive water from the rock. And not just a trickle - in the Psalms we’re told Psalm 78:20 “water gushed out, streams flowed abundantly.” This should speak loud to us of God’s mercy and grace: a people doubting his goodness, a people who are faithless, forgetful and impatient get not fiery destruction but abundant, gushing water. God is faithful even when we are faithless. God is faithful even when we are faithless.

Does this mean testing God doesn’t matter? Does God not really care how we perform in the tests and trials He allows us to go through? That’s going a step too far. Deuteronomy 6:16 gives the clear warning “Do not put the Lord your God to the test as you did at Massah.” (that’s referring to this exact incident). This story certainly isn’t an encouragement to test God - or a guarantee of his grace when we do. That would definitely be getting the wrong end of the stick. The insight we get into God’s people’s hearts - the insight they get into their own hearts, that’s the big news: their faithlessness and impatience right before his bountiful and gracious provision. This is one more opportunity for God’s people to see themselves, to be sorry and repent, or change, before Judgement comes. See, this isn’t the last time God’s people will test Him in the wilderness - as we follow the story, we’ll begin to see God responds in judgement, too.

But this story, this whole Exodus story, echoes into an even greater story in our bibles, one more important still. Let me draw some lines between the two so we can see it clearly. Once more, God will lead someone into a test, a wilderness trial. Once more, the trial will reveal his heart. Only this time it will be God’s own son led into the test, Jesus himself, led by the Spirit. Jesus’ 40 days mirror Israel’s 40 years in the wilderness. And although Jesus is tested, he recalls and quotes God’s warning here: Mt 4:7

Matthew 4:7 NIV

Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’”

And he does not. Instead of testing God, he submits fully and patiently to God’s plan. Instead of darkness, his heart is shown to be true and pure. And where in the story we’ve studied today, God in His grace still gave that ancient underserving people abundant water - the rock was struck and water flowed out - we’re told Jesus’ side was pierced after his death on the cross, and blood and water flowed - our rock was struck, and life flowed out. That blood and water are for us a picture of the ultimate gift God pours out and offers to us, his still underserving people: forgiveness through Jesus. New life through the Spirit. This God’s ultimate provision for us.

So when we read today’s story, when we consider what it has to teach us, our hope as Christians is not that we are better than God’s ancient people who dared to put him to the test, or that when we’re tested, we’ll do better than God’s ancient people, and be found patient, obedient and faithful, our revealed hearts pure. It’s that Jesus was.

Our God is a God of miracles, and a God of grace. All praise to Him.

Q+R Notes

1 Cor 10 references events after Sinai beginning with the golden calf; it’s not obvious that it should be our application guide to this passage as a result.

1 Cor 10:4 XBC suggests a Jewish tradition of a rock that the Israelites took with them; perhaps if a rock gushes water you might try and cut it out / pick it up?

Num 20:1-13 a separate but similar incident: Moses and Aaron present, speaking not hitting, tent of meeting features, God’s holiness the key concern, results in Moses and Aaron not entering promised land Deut 32:51

God tests but does not tempt (Jam 1:13) i.e. incite to evil; that’s our own evil desires - don’t claim it is God tempting you to do evil Jam 1:13-15

there is always a way out which you can endure 1 Corinthians 10:13 “No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.”

CS Lewis:

“The ancient man approached God as the accused person approaches his judge. For the modern man the roles are reversed. He is the judge: God is in the dock. He is quite a kindly judge: if God should have a reasonable defence for being the god who permits war, poverty and disease, he is ready to listen to it. The trial may even end in God’s acquittal. But the important thing is that Man is on the Bench [he’s the judge] and God in the Dock [he’s the one being judged]”