Jan.23 - Exodus 17 - 19

Are you a good test taker? A lot of people aren't. They may be very smart, but when it comes to taking a test, they have a very difficult time. The Israelites were no exception! In fact, from the stories we read in the book of Exodus we find that they were horrible test takers. Once again, as we read Chapter 17, we see God bringing them into another test after leaving Egypt. From these lessons we can gain some incredible insight as to how God works in the lives of His children. Here are a few thoughts:

1) God will often bring us to the brink of disaster to see what we'll do and how faithful we'll be! The Israelites were desparately thirsty! God purposefully brought them into another place (the first one was Marah) where they are "tormented with thirst." In reaction to this situation, they place the blame on Moses - who eventually cries out to God and says, "They are ready to stone me!" It's at that point that God commands Moses to strike the rock once, and water will come forth in great abundance. Moses complies, and God answers the people's need! But, notice what God does in each case after they left Egypt:
- He brings them to great thirst at Marah - After they pray to Him, He miraculously answers!
- He brings them to great hunger at Rephidim - After prayer, He miraculously answers!
- Now, He brings them to great thirst at Sinai - After prayer, He miraculously answers!
Notice how often God does this! He's continually bringing them to what they think is the brink of disaster before He meets their need. God's not being cruel here, He's simply growing His children in their spiritual faith towards Him.

2) The only way to win against the pull of sinful desires is to go to God in prayer! As we read the story of the war between the Amalekites and Israel, there are some very powerful truths. In Galatians 5, God talks about the war between flesh and the spirit - the battle that you and I face each day to either follow our own sinful desires or the desires to do those things that please God. This story illustrates the truth of that reality. Let me show you:
a) Amalek is a descendant of Esau - He is a type of "the flesh."
b) Israel is God's chosen people - They are a type of "the spirit."
c) This battle between Amalek and Israel is a type or picture of the battle you and I personally face each day - that of the flesh verses the spirit.
d) During the battle, whenever Moses held up his staff (representing prayer) Israel prevailed! But also notice - as his arms got tired and he let down his staff, Amalek prevailed! Through this battle comes some very important spiritual points you and I need to remember:
- To win the battle against the flesh - Go to God in PRAYER
- Find friends to help you in this battle and pray with you! - Gather some friends like Moses did who assisted him in holding up his hands in prayer. They continued supporting him until the battle was won!! Those are true friends!

3) Leaders must train others to lead! Jethro, Moses' father-in-law came up with a brilliant idea - the importance of delegating tasks of leadership. Some people claim that Moses made a mistake here and that he followed Jethro's advice and not God's...and that it eventually became the beginning stages of the Sanhedrin who later killed Jesus. Actually, Jethro offered the advice and reminded Moses that God must give the final ok. This act of delegation actually helped Moses tremendously. This shows the value of receiving advice from others, taking that advice before God, and when God gives you an ok on it, act on it.

4) God reveals Himself in unusual ways! God decided to reveal Himself to the nation of Israel. Notice what He did NOT do: He did NOT show Himself in a way that they could artistically imitate. For example, I've seen a number of athletes wearing a "cross" around their neck. Then, just before their race or battle begins, they kiss the cross as though that makes any difference to the outcome. Notice what God does! He comes to the Israelites in the form of:
- An earthquake - How do you copy that?
- Thunder - How do you copy that?
- Dark cloud - How do you copy that and wear it around your neck?
- Loud noise - How do you copy that?
- Smoke - How do you artistically copy that too?

Tomorrow, we'll read how He gives Moses the ten commandments and how one of those ten commandments deals with "making any image after His likeness." They're strictly forbidden to do so!

I hope you received a blessing from today's blog. May the Lord bless you today!