After a month of being freed from slavery in Egypt, the Israelites continue to grumble to Moses and convey their distrust in God. They were not content in their new circumstances and were fearful that God would not sustain them. If left to their own choices, they would have chosen death over their new-found freedom (Ex. 16:3). God "heard their grumbling" and again demonstrated His power through the miracles of manna and quail provided daily. Can you imagine how much food was needed to provide for 650,000 men AND their families? What a contrast between the plagues where God covered the land with death to God covering the land with daily provisions of sweet bread and quail.
God supplied these provisions daily for 40 years and commanded that each person take only what was needed for the day. Some took more and some took less and for each person that was enough. God wanted to provide for each person only what was needed for the day. God wanted the Israelites to trust Him daily and He wants the same from us.
Now that their bellies were full, the Israelites were thirsty. Again, the Israelites grumbled to Moses. Again, God provided. Can you imagine Moses' position while dealing with "these people"? Millions of Israelites were complaining to him again and again. Moses must have had incredible patience to be the leader of these people. This part of the scripture challenges me to take inventory and evaluate my grumbling. God knows our needs and hears our grumblings. There is no positive thing that can come from grumbling (or complaining) to others. I want to be an encouragement to people in leadership positions and to others around me. In Philippians 2:4, God commands us to "do everything without grumbling or complaining". Wait... does it say EVERYTHING???? Yes, it does. Let's encourage each other to strive for this goal.
Next, we meet Joshua who becomes a warrior that God eventually uses to deliver the Israelites to the promised land. Through Joshua's physical fighting and leadership in the battle, and Moses' oversight and continued submission to God (in this case through literal hands lifted up), God allows them to defend themselves against the Amalekites. I look forward to reading more about Joshua, don't you?
Moses spends some time with his father-in-law (Jethro) who delivers what must be some very welcome and wise words for Moses. He basically tells Moses that he (Moses) cannot do everything. Jethro wisely tells Moses to select capable men...key instruction coming up... "who fear God". My NIV study notes explain this word "fear" as "sense of reverential trust in God that includes commitment to his revealed will." Jethro was telling Moses to expand his leadership circle and to delegate the responsibility of judging among the Israelite people. I imagine that Moses was encouraged by the time he spent with his father-in-law as well as the fact that he had learned he could share some of his burden with other Godly men. We can do the same... we are not alone in our journey with God as he has provided a family for us to share in worship, fellowship, ministry, and encouragement. What a blessing!
Bonus Reading - 10 points :)
Psalm 105 is a wonderful summary of our readings so far and a reminder of all that God has done for His people. Take a couple minutes to enjoy this bonus reading for today and join me in praising God for his faithfulness!
