“Is the Lord Among Us?”
Exodus 17:1-7
Sunday, June 13, 2010
Introduction: In 1992 four policemen were acquitted in the accused beating of an African-American motorist named Rodney King. After this verdict was given there was rioting in the Los Angeles area over the next six days. As a result of this rioting/ looting, arson and more took place. Many people were injured, and many buildings were damaged. This was caused by the discontent and anger that was experienced by those who felt justice was not done.
This morning we look at another kind of discontent from the Hebrews; God’s people. They had been in slavery for many years, but then finally freed by God through Moses. They were led out into the wilderness where they were to have a time for preparation and training so that they could become a nation that could stand on their own. However, the life was difficult, which led them to feel much discontent. This morning we look at the question, “Is God among us?” A question they posed to Moses because of their discontent.
I. Quarreling and Complaining- (Exodus 17:1-3)
a. The cause- We have to understand that every day for the Hebrews
must have been difficult. It started out with them supposedly being freed from their slavery to the Egyptians when Pharaoh agreed to let them go after his son was killed by the angel of death in the last plague. But once his grief was passed, he realized he had let his workforce go, and so he pursued the Hebrews with his army. What a terrifying time this must have been for them.
Yet, God’s people regularly saw God’s power: from the pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire at night guiding them along, to God, through Moses parting the Red Sea so that they can cross safely, and once they were across, the sea comes upon the Egyptians killing them. They journeyed on, and when they got to Marah, they discovered the water was bitter and they could not drink it, so the Lord had Moses throw a piece of wood into the water and the water became sweet, and they could drink. They then struggled with food to eat, so the Lord rained down Manna for them to eat… Time and time again, the Hebrews saw the glorious power of God at work. But life was not easy at all. Each day had its new set of challenges.
In chapter 17, the next issue they have to deal with is the lack of water. This is even more serious than no food, because you cannot survive long without water. You would think that after all that had transpired, all the miracles they had seen God do, they would have had great faith trusting that God would provide for them. You would think that there would be a sense of community that would band them together and seek out the Lord’s help. You would think that they would understand that life is full of challenges and hurdles to overcome, and the Lord was with them to help them conquer all that they experienced.
Instead of faith, there is doubt. Instead of thankfulness, there is discontent. Instead of praising, there is complaining and quarreling.
b. The result of discontment- In this discontent, they challenged
Moses, and quarreled with him, saying to him in verse 2: “… ‘Give us water to drink.’…” Do you notice the attitude behind the statement? This is not the attitude of supporting your leader. This is not the attitude of working together. This is not the attitude of faith and trust. This is the attitude of a mob. They are demanding from Moses that he give them water.
EX. In a much lesser way, I remember last fall, I was managing Tyler’s baseball team. We had a game on Halloween day. It was a Saturday; it was warm; and I could tell the kids did not want to be there. I could see their discontentment written all over their faces. Even worse, the team they were playing was far superior, and they were getting beat badly. So I called time and went out to have a team meeting. I was hoping to give them a pep talk and try to energize them in some way. When I got to the pitcher’s mound I started in by being encouraging to them, and challenging them to stay focused. But this did not lift them up at all. So I asked them, ‘What is wrong.’ One kid summed it all up, when he said: ‘It’s Halloween, and we don’t want to be here.’ In his statement, I could see that they had given up! Their discontent caused them to give up, and in essence quarrel with me.
Moses knew that the people had lost their focus. Moses knew that he had a serious situation on his hands when instead of just expressing concern they said: “Why did you bring us out of Egypt, to kill us and our children and livestock with thirst?” These are strong words; accusing Moses of trying to kill them. Moses was concerned for his life, as he expressed to the Lord that they were ready to stone him. Moses believed that if the Lord didn’t do something soon, the scene could turn ugly.
Moses needed to find a way to provide for the people, and turn their focus back to God and the tasks that they had ahead of them.
Yet, was this really the way that they should have been handling their trial?
II. Moses and the Elders- (Exodus 17:4-6)
a. Doing it together- Unlike the Hebrew people, Moses knows where
to go when he is in a jam; to God. So we see Moses again go to the Lord and seek Him out for help. Maybe this is why the people keep coming to Moses when there is a problem, because of Moses’ relationship with God. Moses tries to help the people see that it is God whom they should seek, and that when they complain to Moses about their situation, they are really putting the Lord to the test!
Have you ever had someone come to you with a great problem; a problem beyond you? What is your response? Do you feel inadequate? Do you struggle to know how to respond to them or know what to do? Do you try and put them off, not wanting to get involved? I have this happen to me often, where people think that my going to the Lord will get them a better answer. They seek me for the purpose of me seeking the Lord. And I get concerned, because the problem is greater than me. Fortunately, they are not quarreling with me, or accusing me of causing their problem, or out to stone me.
Moses is concerned, but knows to go to the Lord, as he asks: “What shall I do with this people?” God is not concerned: “The LORD answered Moses, ‘Walk on ahead of the people. Take with you some of the elders of Israel and take in your hand the staff with which you struck the Nile, and go. 6 I will stand there before you by the rock at Horeb. Strike the rock, and water will come out of it for the people to drink.’” God tells Moses what He is to do next, and how this will take care of their situation.
Do you see what God is doing here? God is helping Moses, and the people see that it is not all on Moses. There is to be a community of leaders that the people are to trust, and respect. Moses needs to know that he doesn’t have to do it all by himself. They respond in faithfulness by going out to Horeb, and they are to strike a rock. Do you wonder if they were a little concerned that the water that was supposed to take care of the thirst of over a million people was going to come from a ROCK? Do you think the elders were questioning Moses about this the whole way?
b. God at work again- Regardless of any doubts they might have had,
they DID trust God, and they DID go out together, and Moses DID strike the rock, and water DID come out of it. Moses did this in the sight of the elders, and a well was brought about by the power of God from a rock at Horeb!
In this whole discourse we see the great forbearance and patience of God. At this you would think that God would be growing tired of His people. They have seen great miracles, but still are quick to panic and doubt. They have been freed from slavery, but still they feel like slaves to their condition. They are questioning God in their fear by asking: “Is God among us?”
Illus. Does God Exist?
A man went to a barbershop to have his hair cut and his beard trimmed. As the barber began to work, they began to have a conversation. They talked about so many things and various subjects. When they eventually touched on the subject of God, the barber said: 'I don't believe that God exists.' 'Why do you say that?' asked the customer. 'Well, you just have to go out in the street to realize that God doesn't exist. Tell me, if God exists, would there be so many sick people? Would there be abandoned children? If God existed, there would be neither suffering nor pain? I can't imagine a loving God who would allow all of these things.' The customer thought for a moment, but didn't respond because he didn't want to start an argument. The barber finished his job and the customer left the shop.
However just after he left the barbershop, he saw a man in the street with long, stringy, dirty hair and an untrimmed beard. The customer turned back and entered the barbershop again and he said to the barber: 'You know what? Barbers do not exist.' 'How can you say that?' asked the surprised barber.
'I am here, and I am a barber. And I just worked on you!' 'No!' the customer exclaimed. 'Barbers don't exist because if they did, there would be no people with dirty long hair and untrimmed beards, like that man outside.'' Ah, but barbers DO exist! That's what happens when people do not come to me.' 'Exactly!' affirmed the customer. 'That's the point! God, too, DOES exist! That's what happens when people do not go to Him and don't look to Him for help. That's why there's so much pain and suffering in the world.'
III. Water from a rock- (Exodus 17:6-7; Hebrews 11:1-6)
a. Testing the Lord- In the beginning of this passage, when the
people first came to Moses, Moses asked the people why they were testing the Lord. Moses is a man of great faith. Moses didn’t test God, he trusted God. He trusted God with taking the staff, which lifted him up to be the leader of the people. He trusted God when he went before the Pharaoh to ask the Pharaoh to let the people go, even though his knees were probably trembling greatly. He trusted God after each plague, and the Pharaoh did not relent. He trusted God when the Hebrew people were blaming him, and not the Pharaoh, because their work was made harder. He trusted God when day after day went by, and there didn’t seem to be an end in sight. I think you get the point, Moses trusted God.
But the people tested God. They tested God when they grumbled about having no food. They tested God when God told them to collect a double portion of Manna on the sixth day, for they were not to work on the seventh (including getting food from the ground). But instead of getting a double portion, many of them only got a single portion on the sixth day, and when they went out for their food on the seventh day, there was none to be found! And now they tested God in regards to their complaints of no water.
Their testing spirit, and complaining attitude did not bring them closer to God, but farther away. Their testing spirit was making it more difficult for them to grow together as the people of God, and be prepared to be the nation God wanted them to be. Their testing spirit was going to be their undoing, because they had no focus and no purpose!
b. Trusting the Lord- In bringing the water to the people by way of a
rock, God was again showing His power! He was showing His power in that water doesn’t normally come out of a rock. If God simply directed Moses to a spring, or some other water source, the people might not have seen it as coming from the Lord.
Isn’t this true of you and me? How often do we complain to the Lord, and then the situation takes care of itself. Depending on how it got taken care of, we either take credit for it ourselves, or we give thanks to some other source (perhaps a friend, or family member, or the government). We rationalize it away, thinking that it would have happened, even if we didn’t pray about it.
NO, God wanted the people to be certain that this was a miracle, and that it came from God. God wanted the people to be humbled by this act. God wanted the people to realize that they were foolish in their complaining, and grumbling, and quarreling. Producing water from a rock was a way to make a bold statement!
And isn’t that what faith is all about? We are told in Hebrews 11:1-6, “Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. 2This is what the ancients were commended for. 3By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God's command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible. 4By faith Abel offered God a better sacrifice than Cain did. By faith he was commended as a righteous man, when God spoke well of his offerings. And by faith he still speaks, even though he is dead. 5By faith Enoch was taken from this life, so that he did not experience death; he could not be found, because God had taken him away. For before he was taken, he was commended as one who pleased God. 6And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” It is in faith that we show the Lord we trust Him. God was telling the people, they needed to show greater faith.
Conclusion: Let’s think about today’s question for a moment: Is God among us? This question, in one sense, is pretty surprising because the Hebrews had seen God at work so in so many ways, and at so many times. God’s work was very obvious and present. It is one thing to get frustrated, or wonder if God had taken a break from caring for them. But it is a big jump to go from frustration to blame and even questioning God’s motives. And yet, don’t we do this all the time. How many people do you know who seemed to go to church, believe in God, pray, but then get to that place where they question God’s motives, or even more question God’s existence?
We all have times when we are frustrated with life; where we are frustrated at God seeming to abandon us. But if we exhibit the faith that is indeed in us, we will come to that time where we again see God’s hand at work, and we will no longer doubt that God is here with us. I encourage you to persevere in your faith, this day, and every day, and see the results that come. Amen.
Exodus 17:1-7
Sunday, June 13, 2010
Introduction: In 1992 four policemen were acquitted in the accused beating of an African-American motorist named Rodney King. After this verdict was given there was rioting in the Los Angeles area over the next six days. As a result of this rioting/ looting, arson and more took place. Many people were injured, and many buildings were damaged. This was caused by the discontent and anger that was experienced by those who felt justice was not done.
This morning we look at another kind of discontent from the Hebrews; God’s people. They had been in slavery for many years, but then finally freed by God through Moses. They were led out into the wilderness where they were to have a time for preparation and training so that they could become a nation that could stand on their own. However, the life was difficult, which led them to feel much discontent. This morning we look at the question, “Is God among us?” A question they posed to Moses because of their discontent.
I. Quarreling and Complaining- (Exodus 17:1-3)
a. The cause- We have to understand that every day for the Hebrews
must have been difficult. It started out with them supposedly being freed from their slavery to the Egyptians when Pharaoh agreed to let them go after his son was killed by the angel of death in the last plague. But once his grief was passed, he realized he had let his workforce go, and so he pursued the Hebrews with his army. What a terrifying time this must have been for them.
Yet, God’s people regularly saw God’s power: from the pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire at night guiding them along, to God, through Moses parting the Red Sea so that they can cross safely, and once they were across, the sea comes upon the Egyptians killing them. They journeyed on, and when they got to Marah, they discovered the water was bitter and they could not drink it, so the Lord had Moses throw a piece of wood into the water and the water became sweet, and they could drink. They then struggled with food to eat, so the Lord rained down Manna for them to eat… Time and time again, the Hebrews saw the glorious power of God at work. But life was not easy at all. Each day had its new set of challenges.
In chapter 17, the next issue they have to deal with is the lack of water. This is even more serious than no food, because you cannot survive long without water. You would think that after all that had transpired, all the miracles they had seen God do, they would have had great faith trusting that God would provide for them. You would think that there would be a sense of community that would band them together and seek out the Lord’s help. You would think that they would understand that life is full of challenges and hurdles to overcome, and the Lord was with them to help them conquer all that they experienced.
Instead of faith, there is doubt. Instead of thankfulness, there is discontent. Instead of praising, there is complaining and quarreling.
b. The result of discontment- In this discontent, they challenged
Moses, and quarreled with him, saying to him in verse 2: “… ‘Give us water to drink.’…” Do you notice the attitude behind the statement? This is not the attitude of supporting your leader. This is not the attitude of working together. This is not the attitude of faith and trust. This is the attitude of a mob. They are demanding from Moses that he give them water.
EX. In a much lesser way, I remember last fall, I was managing Tyler’s baseball team. We had a game on Halloween day. It was a Saturday; it was warm; and I could tell the kids did not want to be there. I could see their discontentment written all over their faces. Even worse, the team they were playing was far superior, and they were getting beat badly. So I called time and went out to have a team meeting. I was hoping to give them a pep talk and try to energize them in some way. When I got to the pitcher’s mound I started in by being encouraging to them, and challenging them to stay focused. But this did not lift them up at all. So I asked them, ‘What is wrong.’ One kid summed it all up, when he said: ‘It’s Halloween, and we don’t want to be here.’ In his statement, I could see that they had given up! Their discontent caused them to give up, and in essence quarrel with me.
Moses knew that the people had lost their focus. Moses knew that he had a serious situation on his hands when instead of just expressing concern they said: “Why did you bring us out of Egypt, to kill us and our children and livestock with thirst?” These are strong words; accusing Moses of trying to kill them. Moses was concerned for his life, as he expressed to the Lord that they were ready to stone him. Moses believed that if the Lord didn’t do something soon, the scene could turn ugly.
Moses needed to find a way to provide for the people, and turn their focus back to God and the tasks that they had ahead of them.
Yet, was this really the way that they should have been handling their trial?
II. Moses and the Elders- (Exodus 17:4-6)
a. Doing it together- Unlike the Hebrew people, Moses knows where
to go when he is in a jam; to God. So we see Moses again go to the Lord and seek Him out for help. Maybe this is why the people keep coming to Moses when there is a problem, because of Moses’ relationship with God. Moses tries to help the people see that it is God whom they should seek, and that when they complain to Moses about their situation, they are really putting the Lord to the test!
Have you ever had someone come to you with a great problem; a problem beyond you? What is your response? Do you feel inadequate? Do you struggle to know how to respond to them or know what to do? Do you try and put them off, not wanting to get involved? I have this happen to me often, where people think that my going to the Lord will get them a better answer. They seek me for the purpose of me seeking the Lord. And I get concerned, because the problem is greater than me. Fortunately, they are not quarreling with me, or accusing me of causing their problem, or out to stone me.
Moses is concerned, but knows to go to the Lord, as he asks: “What shall I do with this people?” God is not concerned: “The LORD answered Moses, ‘Walk on ahead of the people. Take with you some of the elders of Israel and take in your hand the staff with which you struck the Nile, and go. 6 I will stand there before you by the rock at Horeb. Strike the rock, and water will come out of it for the people to drink.’” God tells Moses what He is to do next, and how this will take care of their situation.
Do you see what God is doing here? God is helping Moses, and the people see that it is not all on Moses. There is to be a community of leaders that the people are to trust, and respect. Moses needs to know that he doesn’t have to do it all by himself. They respond in faithfulness by going out to Horeb, and they are to strike a rock. Do you wonder if they were a little concerned that the water that was supposed to take care of the thirst of over a million people was going to come from a ROCK? Do you think the elders were questioning Moses about this the whole way?
b. God at work again- Regardless of any doubts they might have had,
they DID trust God, and they DID go out together, and Moses DID strike the rock, and water DID come out of it. Moses did this in the sight of the elders, and a well was brought about by the power of God from a rock at Horeb!
In this whole discourse we see the great forbearance and patience of God. At this you would think that God would be growing tired of His people. They have seen great miracles, but still are quick to panic and doubt. They have been freed from slavery, but still they feel like slaves to their condition. They are questioning God in their fear by asking: “Is God among us?”
Illus. Does God Exist?
A man went to a barbershop to have his hair cut and his beard trimmed. As the barber began to work, they began to have a conversation. They talked about so many things and various subjects. When they eventually touched on the subject of God, the barber said: 'I don't believe that God exists.' 'Why do you say that?' asked the customer. 'Well, you just have to go out in the street to realize that God doesn't exist. Tell me, if God exists, would there be so many sick people? Would there be abandoned children? If God existed, there would be neither suffering nor pain? I can't imagine a loving God who would allow all of these things.' The customer thought for a moment, but didn't respond because he didn't want to start an argument. The barber finished his job and the customer left the shop.
However just after he left the barbershop, he saw a man in the street with long, stringy, dirty hair and an untrimmed beard. The customer turned back and entered the barbershop again and he said to the barber: 'You know what? Barbers do not exist.' 'How can you say that?' asked the surprised barber.
'I am here, and I am a barber. And I just worked on you!' 'No!' the customer exclaimed. 'Barbers don't exist because if they did, there would be no people with dirty long hair and untrimmed beards, like that man outside.'' Ah, but barbers DO exist! That's what happens when people do not come to me.' 'Exactly!' affirmed the customer. 'That's the point! God, too, DOES exist! That's what happens when people do not go to Him and don't look to Him for help. That's why there's so much pain and suffering in the world.'
III. Water from a rock- (Exodus 17:6-7; Hebrews 11:1-6)
a. Testing the Lord- In the beginning of this passage, when the
people first came to Moses, Moses asked the people why they were testing the Lord. Moses is a man of great faith. Moses didn’t test God, he trusted God. He trusted God with taking the staff, which lifted him up to be the leader of the people. He trusted God when he went before the Pharaoh to ask the Pharaoh to let the people go, even though his knees were probably trembling greatly. He trusted God after each plague, and the Pharaoh did not relent. He trusted God when the Hebrew people were blaming him, and not the Pharaoh, because their work was made harder. He trusted God when day after day went by, and there didn’t seem to be an end in sight. I think you get the point, Moses trusted God.
But the people tested God. They tested God when they grumbled about having no food. They tested God when God told them to collect a double portion of Manna on the sixth day, for they were not to work on the seventh (including getting food from the ground). But instead of getting a double portion, many of them only got a single portion on the sixth day, and when they went out for their food on the seventh day, there was none to be found! And now they tested God in regards to their complaints of no water.
Their testing spirit, and complaining attitude did not bring them closer to God, but farther away. Their testing spirit was making it more difficult for them to grow together as the people of God, and be prepared to be the nation God wanted them to be. Their testing spirit was going to be their undoing, because they had no focus and no purpose!
b. Trusting the Lord- In bringing the water to the people by way of a
rock, God was again showing His power! He was showing His power in that water doesn’t normally come out of a rock. If God simply directed Moses to a spring, or some other water source, the people might not have seen it as coming from the Lord.
Isn’t this true of you and me? How often do we complain to the Lord, and then the situation takes care of itself. Depending on how it got taken care of, we either take credit for it ourselves, or we give thanks to some other source (perhaps a friend, or family member, or the government). We rationalize it away, thinking that it would have happened, even if we didn’t pray about it.
NO, God wanted the people to be certain that this was a miracle, and that it came from God. God wanted the people to be humbled by this act. God wanted the people to realize that they were foolish in their complaining, and grumbling, and quarreling. Producing water from a rock was a way to make a bold statement!
And isn’t that what faith is all about? We are told in Hebrews 11:1-6, “Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. 2This is what the ancients were commended for. 3By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God's command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible. 4By faith Abel offered God a better sacrifice than Cain did. By faith he was commended as a righteous man, when God spoke well of his offerings. And by faith he still speaks, even though he is dead. 5By faith Enoch was taken from this life, so that he did not experience death; he could not be found, because God had taken him away. For before he was taken, he was commended as one who pleased God. 6And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” It is in faith that we show the Lord we trust Him. God was telling the people, they needed to show greater faith.
Conclusion: Let’s think about today’s question for a moment: Is God among us? This question, in one sense, is pretty surprising because the Hebrews had seen God at work so in so many ways, and at so many times. God’s work was very obvious and present. It is one thing to get frustrated, or wonder if God had taken a break from caring for them. But it is a big jump to go from frustration to blame and even questioning God’s motives. And yet, don’t we do this all the time. How many people do you know who seemed to go to church, believe in God, pray, but then get to that place where they question God’s motives, or even more question God’s existence?
We all have times when we are frustrated with life; where we are frustrated at God seeming to abandon us. But if we exhibit the faith that is indeed in us, we will come to that time where we again see God’s hand at work, and we will no longer doubt that God is here with us. I encourage you to persevere in your faith, this day, and every day, and see the results that come. Amen.
posted by Logan's Blog at 9:31 PM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home