Exodus Bible Study Notes Chapter 17

5/30/2012

Exodus 17 

-The children of Israel made their way in stages to Rephidim in the wilderness further south into the Arabian Peninsula. The problem here as with many places in the wilderness (desert) is that water supply is limited and can get virtually non-existent. You can image the fear that this naturally produces. It led to quarreling with Moses and testing of the LORD (Exodus 17:2). They felt like they were being brought out to be killed rather than delivered at this point, but God produced another miracle of provision for them. Moses struck the rock at the LORD’s command at Horeb and water poured out of it. Therefore the name of this place was Massah (test) and Merribah (quarrel) because the people doubted that God was amongst them. *Application* God often puts us through these tests and trials in life to reveal our heart towards him. His design is to build our faith in ever increasing measure. He will never leave us or forsake us (Deuteronomy 31:6-8, Joshua 1:5, Hebrews 13:5). This is His promise that we must depend on and cling to in every circumstance. Rest in Him with your faith (Hebrews 11:1-6).

-Now Amalek invades. This is a tribe of the grandson of Esau who were nomadic warriors who lived in the desert and made frequent raids on settlements for booty (Genesis 36:12). They basically killed for pleasure. An ancient pirating system if you will. The nature of man doesn’t change and his heart is only for evil continually apart from the grace of God (Genesis 6:5, Titus 2:10-12). Joshua, introduced for the first time in Scripture, is given leadership in this first battle against the enemy as Moses stations himself on the top of the hill with the staff of God in hand. Moses took Hur and Aaron and went to the top of the hill where he could see the battle and raise his staff of the LORD over the scene. When he lifted his staff Israel prevailed, and when he let his hand down, Amalek (the enemy) prevailed (Exodus 17:11). Moses had assistance to give him a seat and keep his hands raised from Hur and Aaron and the victory was gained. *Application* This underscores how devoted men of God should help and assist spiritual leaders in the spiritual battles that take place. They stood with him and would not let him down shouldering some of the responsibility of the outcome.

-*Application* Amalek is a picture (or type) of Satanic forces that invade in a new believers life once rescued from the domain of darkness into the everlasting light of Jesus Christ. Just because one is free from the burden of slavery, doesn’t mean that there will not be attacks of the enemy as we see here in the passage. In fact just as with Amalek we with the LORD will have war with Satanic forces perpetually from generation to generation (Exodus 17:16). God will eventually blot out the memory of Amalek from under Heaven (Exodus 17:14), but there is going to be turbulence in the meantime. The tension is real and there will always be resistance. The key is living life in the power of God through his Holy Spirit to thwart off the attacks of the enemy every time they arise, and they will arise guaranteed. Keep your hands raised in victory as Moses and get faithful accountability partners who will help you in the fight. Amalek can be overcome!

-One last word in this chapter. Joshua’s development as a leader is important. He will be the one to eventually take the children of Israel into the Promised Land and devour the enemies of the LORD there. This was a training ground where he learned skills and strategy with the help of God Almighty.

Verse to Memorize: Exodus 17:6

Exodus Bible Study Notes Chapter 16

5/29/2012

Exodus 16 

-In the wilderness of Sin the whole congregation (more than a million people) of the sons of Israel grumbled against Moses and Aaron. Grumbling and God’s mercy even in the presence of discontentment becomes the ultimate theme of this chapter. Their complaints were not really against Moses and Aaron in the fullest sense. Their protest was against God, which the Scriptures clearly point out (Exodus 16:7, 8). The fact that God hears their grumblings and reacts in kindness to provide the manna and quail reiterates the fact that He was patient and His lovingkindness would never fail in the plan He was working. *Application* How quick we are to turn our emotions away from the truth of the LORD’s sustenance and provision. We can easily forget His faithfulness and go our own way in frustration and complaint when things seem a little (or a lot) rough. Don’t let circumstances get the best of you like they did with the children of Israel. This is where faith is maintained and real growth occurs in your life. Remember that the LORD still brings tests to see whether or not you will walk in His instruction (Exodus 16:4). Blessed are you when you persevere and pass the tests and trials given by God.

-A clear description is given of the manna, which is a miraculous provision of food for each morning. The interesting note on this comes in verses 18-21. “He who gathered much had no excess (Exodus 16:18).” This refers to hoarding, which the LORD is always against. He taught the children of Israel not to hoard with storing up excess by making the manna foul and breeding worms on the next day. This would teach them to gather only what they needed, which would help them learn to share the abundance with others in the camp and promote unity. The ones that “gathered little had no lack,” which demonstrated that enough was enough and no more was required for their contentment and wellbeing (Exodus 16:18). *Application* This is a clear example in Scripture of how we as Christians should behave in our generosity. Be willing to share the wealth that the LORD has given you. Otherwise your heart will be troubled and you will not be fulfilling all that God has for you (Luke 6:38, 1 Timothy 6:10, Hebrews 13:5).

-The Sabbath is given precedence and importance in the wilderness as a day of rest to be observed. God once again made extra provision so that obeying His commands would not be strenuous or cumbersome. *Application* Remember to rest as the LORD commands. It will do your body and soul well. The tendency is to keep up the hectic pace of our lives in our modern culture. God tells us to slow down and repose at least one day a week. Take your Sabbath rest O Christian. God knows that we need that time of restoration and recuperation.

-The manna would be stored for future generations to see the bread that the LORD provided for His children by His command. It was to be placed before the Testimony, to be kept, and later the Ark of the Covenant (Exodus 25:16; 40:20).

Verse to Memorize: Exodus 16:2

Exodus Bible Study Notes Chapter 15

5/28/2012

Exodus 15

-Moses and the sons of Israel sing a song before the LORD exalting and praising Him for all of His mighty acts in the deliverance of the Hebrew people. In the song is the promise of the mountain of their inheritance, where the LORD would make His dwelling place. This refers to Jerusalem in my opinion. There is also the acknowledgement of the fear and panic that would reside on all those who stood in the LORD’s way of bringing His people back into the promised land. From Philistia to Edom, to Moab, to Canaan terror and dread was falling on them because of the greatness of God and His demonstration of power before the Egyptians.

-Miriam the prophetess and sister of Aaron also took the timbrel in her hand and sang out with dancing of the exaltation of the LORD and his redemptive power over the enemy. *Application* At times of deliverance we need to remember the greatness of our God to overcome all obstacles and barriers. He is the great deliverer and healer as this chapter points out. Jesus points to this kind of thanksgiving in His ministry as well (Luke 17:12-19). Always be grateful and thankful to the mighty God we serve.

-It did not take long for the rejoicing to turn to complaining. Three days into the wilderness with no water made the children of Israel grumble with questions of provision. The LORD once again provided a miracle for them in making the bitter waters of Marah sweet. The Scripture say at this point that God “made for them a statute and regulation, and there He tested them (Exodus 15:25b).” He told them that if they would give earnest heed to His voice, do what is right in His sight, give ear to His commandments, and keep all His statutes, He would not put any of the diseases on them that the Egyptians received (Exodus 15:26). He declared something very important to them here that is applicable to us. He, and He alone, is the healer (Exodus 15:26b). *Application* Have you reflected on this fact lately? Give thanks to the LORD with song and praise for all His righteous acts in your life for the purpose of deliverance and healing immediately.

Verse to Memorize: Exodus 15:26