Before we begin, I want to let you know that the end of today’s post has an interesting and imaginative way to read the Bible. I suggest that you grab a pen and paper and get ready for an adventure.

Mass Protests!

Israel had been traveling for a month when they began to run out of food. The unleavened bread they carried out with them from Egypt was dwindling or gone and the prospect of hunger made them restless.

There were two ways to face the challenge: They could remember what God had already done for them and trust him for the future, or they could grumble amongst themselves and begin to doubt God. They took the path of grumbling and went to Moses and Aaron with their protests.

Crowd-Sourced Complaints

It’s amazing how a crowd can grab an idea and amplify it. Someone started to grumble about the food situation and as others took up the complaint it became exaggerated beyond recognition. Israel went from noticing that supplies were low to wishing God had killed them in Egypt and left them there.

“If only we had died by the Lord’s hand in Egypt! There we sat around pots of meat and ate all the food we wanted, but you have brought us out into this desert to starve this entire assembly to death.” Exodus 16:3

God’s Property

Israel left Egypt with large flocks and herds, but apparently they weren’t free to use their animals for food. This valuable resource was something Pharaoh had tried to keep for himself back in Exodus 10. He told Moses he could take the people, but he had to leave the livestock. Moses replied that the animals belonged to God.

“Moses said, ‘You must allow us to have sacrifices and burnt offerings to present to the Lord our God. Our livestock must go with us; not a hoof is to be left behind. We have to use some of them in worshiping the Lord our God, and until we get there we will not know what we are to use to worship the Lord.’” Exodus 10:25-26

That may or may not be the explanation for the Israelites not using their livestock for food but whatever the reason, God had a different plan for feeding them.

God Provides 

“Then the Lord said, ‘I will rain down bread from heaven for you. The people are to go out each day and gather enough for that day. In this way I will test them and see whether they will follow my instructions. On the sixth day they are to prepare what they bring in, and that is to be twice as much as they gather on the other days.’” Exodus 16:4-5

To the manna God added quail that covered the camp and provided meat for dinner. If the Israelites followed instructions they were always going to have enough to eat.

The provision of manna was so important in Israel’s history that God told Moses to preserve some of it in a jar that later was placed into the Ark of the Covenant. He wanted them always to remember that he was the source of life for them.

Bread From Heaven

Later, in John 6, Jesus referred to himself as the bread that came down from heaven.

^“Jesus said to them, ‘Very truly I tell you, it is not Moses who has given you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is he that comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.’” John 6:32-33

Once again, the story of Jesus is foreshadowed in the Old Testament.

Setting Boundaries

The people of Israel regularly held Moses responsible for their problems, but he refused to accept blame. He understood his position as mediator between God and his people and he kept his boundaries. He told them when they were responsible for their own problems and he directed them to God when only God could help them. He also turned to God when the people pushed those boundaries.

“. . . 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.’” Exodus 17:1b-4

Moses wasn’t moved to action by the people, he waited for God to speak and God gave him instructions that he followed to the letter. Taking his staff he struck the rock God showed him and clean water flowed out of it. As the people slaked their thirst Moses named the place “quarreling” (Meribah) and “testing” (Massah) because that’s what the people did with the Lord.

God had patience with Israel at this time, but he might change his mind if they kept testing him.

The Battle with the Amalekites

The Amalekites descended from Esau through the concubine of one of his grandsons. They were a vicious, opportunistic tribe who attacked Israel from the rear and picked off weak individuals. God mentioned this incident again in Deuteronomy 25:17-19.

“Remember what the Amalekites did to you along the way when you came out of Egypt. When you were weary and worn out, they met you on your journey and attacked all who were lagging behind; they had no fear of God. When the Lord your God gives you rest from all the enemies around you in the land he is giving you to possess as an inheritance, you shall blot out the name of Amalek from under heaven. Do not forget!

 Moses had to persevere in prayer as Joshua led Israel into battle with the Amalekites. This was their first military test and God let it go on all day long. Israel learned that they could fight and win, but only if God was with them. Moses learned that he could lean on others for support.

Moses’s Midianite Family Returns

Moses sent his wife and sons back to Midian while he dealt with Pharaoh and led Israel out of Egypt, but his father-in-law brought them back to Moses when he camped near the mountain of God. Moses had great respect for his father-in-law’s wisdom and followed his advice in establishing a judiciary for Israel.

In return, Jethro put his faith in the one true God after hearing Moses’s account of the exodus from Egypt. He and Moses had the joy of worshiping together before Jethro went back home.

“’Now I know that the Lord is greater than all other gods, for he did this to those who had treated Israel arrogantly.’ Then Jethro brought a burnt offering and other sacrifices to God, and Aaron came with all the elders of Israel to eat a meal with Moses’s father-in-law in the presence of God.” Exodus 18:11

Take a Walk Through Scripture

Exodus 19 is one of the most powerful chapters in the Bible. I invite you to take some time to move into this passage and “walk around” in it.

Imagine you are in a vast desert with an incredibly rugged mountain rising up before you. Behind you thousands of families are setting up tents and settling in for the night.

The solitary figure of Moses emerges from the crowd and carrying his staff, he starts up the mountain. The voice of God calls to him.

“This is what you are to say to the descendants of Jacob and what you are to tell the people of Israel:  ‘You yourselves have seen what I did to Egypt, and how I carried you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself. Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession. Although the whole earth is mine, you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words you are to speak to the Israelites.” Exodus 19:3-6

How do you feel as you see Moses climb that rugged mountainside?

Go back down the mountain with Moses and gather with the elders of Israel. Listen to what Moses tells them in Exodus 19:7-14. Would you join the elders in promising to do everything the Lord has said to them?

Now read Exodus 19:16-19. What do you see and hear? What does the ground beneath your feet feel like, and what do you smell in the air? What does the fire on the mountain look like?

In the cacophony of trumpet blasts, Moses speaks to God and God answers him and calls him to the top of the trembling mountain, into the billowing smoke and flames of fire. You are now where no one else that day was allowed to go, with Moses, listening to what God says in verses 20-25.

Do you think the instructions God sends down to the people would put the fear of God into them? How would it affect you?

Tomorrow Moses goes back up the mountain into God’s presence where he will receive the Law, beginning with the Ten Commandments. Keep your heart and mind alert; important passages lie ahead!