All written materials for this series will be posted on this website, http://servingandsharing.com/, under the category, “Exodus – God Makes a Way.” All corresponding video presentations may be found on this YouTube playlist: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yFXW6HwOySA&list=PL7JRppjEn33ZzlfbuQKdvQQfsrkwm0GC5. If you can’t find what you’re looking for, send a message via the “Contact” button.
Again we’ll start with a broad outline of this section and then go into more detail.
Ex 15:22-18:27 Israel Approaches Mount Sinai.
Ex 15:22-27 Grumbling – Water
Bitter to Sweet, then Plentiful
Ex 16:1-36 Grumbling – Food
Manna and Quail
Ex 17:1-7 Grumbling – Water (Again!)
Gushing From the Rock
Ex 17:8-16 Fighting – Amalekites
Joshua; Moses’ Staff and Support
Ex 18:1-17 Delegating – Jethro
Strategy for Sharing Leadership
Ex 15:22-27 Grumbling – Water
In the wilderness three days without water … and then undrinkable water … wouldn’t you have grumbled? (Note Marah. Cf. Ruth 1:20.)
Why do people complain, gripe, and whine?
Expectations and assumptions, outcomes taken for granted. Such as …
Why would God involve Moses and the tree, rather than act directly?
Why would God even allow this in the first place?
“God tests but does not tempt.” Gen 22:1; Dt 8:2; Jas 1:13. Discuss.
What diseases do we avoid today because we obey God?
How much more would they value the Elim oasis now?
Ex 16:1-36 Grumbling – Food
How long has it been since they left Egypt? Only 1-1/2 months!
Why grumble against Moses and Aaron, rather than God?
Another test! Ex 16:4; Deut 8:2, 16; Judg 2:22; 3:1, 4; Ps 66:10.
Manna every morning and quail every evening.
Restrictions: limited amount, not left overnight, double on sixth day.
Omer: dry measure, two quarts-plus. Ephah: c. 40 liters, 1/2 bushel.
What did Jesus say about manna and Himself in John 6?
What did Paul say about manna and our giving in 2 Cor 8:13-15?
Manna – for forty years! Deut 8:2f; Josh 5:12; Neh 9:20, 21.
Ex 17:1-7 Grumbling – Water (Again!)
At Rephidim, in the Wilderness of “Sin” (as in “Sinai,” perhaps).
From, “We’re thirsty!” to, “We’re dying of thirst! You’re killing us!”
Could they really have considered stoning Moses, as he feared?
Yahweh: “Pass in front. Take your ‘Nile’ staff and some elders.” Why?
Yahweh: “I will stand there before you on the rock at Horeb.”
“Strike the rock with the same staff you used to strike the Nile!”
“In the sight of the elders.” Again, why?
Massah: “test.” Meribah: “quarrel.” Dt 6:16; 9:22; Ps 95:8; Heb 3:7-19.
Hymn – “All the Way My Savior Leads Me.”
Hymn – “In the Desert of Sorrow and Sin.”
Ex 17:8-16 Fighting – Amalekites
Amalek – Esau’s grandson, son of Esau’s son Eliphaz by his concubine. Gen 36:12; Num 14:39-45; 24:20; Deut 25:17-19; 1 Sam 15:2-9.
Preemptive strike – out of unfounded fear? How does that backfire?
Again, God’s staff – in Moses’ hands. That’s true leadership.
First mention of Joshua. Moses’ aide, army commander, successor.
Aaron and Hur – soldiers or supporters? Also cf. Ex 24:14.
Note Moses’ writing ability. Ex 24:4; 34:27; Num 33:2.
Altar title: Yahweh-Nissi. The LORD as the standard-bearer or leader.
Ex 18:1-17 Delegating – Jethro
Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, has kept and cared for his wife Zipporah and sons Gershom (“stranger”) and Eliezer (“my God is help”).
Now he brings Moses’ family to him, rejoices over the exodus, declares Yahweh’s supremacy, sacrifices, and shares a meal. Note Ex 18:10.
What concerns Jethro about Moses’ workload? Note the 80-20 rule.
Why would Moses have personally taken on this entire responsibility?
What is Jethro’s solution?
Apply it to the family, the workplace, the nation, and the church.
Mk 3:13-18; 6:40-42; Acts 6:1-6; 2 Tim 2:2; Tit 1:5
