Immediately after escaping the Egyptian army through the Red Sea, one of the first thing the Israelites do is complain about bitter water. A little later they complained that they were hungry, saying they would have been better off in Egypt and the Lord heard their cries. He answered it with manna every morning and quail every evening, except for the on the Sabbath. The Israelites I noticed that God reminds the Israelites to be kind to sojourners for you are and once will be one as well as to keep the Sabbath multiple times. I found a connection that God never left the Israelites and provided for their every need while on their journey and yet commanded that they in return do not mistreat or oppress sojourners. God facilitated obeying the Sabbath, a holy rest by providing a double portion of food on the 6th day. The Lord took care of His people.
“Now therefore, if you will indeed obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my treasured possession among all peoples, for all the earth is mine; and you shall be a kingdom of priests and a holy nation. These are the words that you shall speak to the people of Israel.” Exodus 19:5-6 ESV
Passage:
Exodus 15:22-28
Discovered:
- At Marah, they complained of bitter water so Moses threw a log into the to make it sweet as God said.
- God made a statute/rule: If you listen to me and do what is right, I will prevent the diseases I put on the Egyptians, I am your healer
- Israelites grumbled about being hungry, God sent manna in the morning, quail in the evening. They were only to collect what they needed for the day, except on the 6th day, they collected a double portion in prep for the Sabbath, a day of rest.
- God provided water from a rock in Rephidim. At Rephidim, Amalek fought with the Israelites. Joshua took their army and went to battle. As long as Moses held up his hands, the Israelites were winning, but he grew tired so Aaron and Her help up his hands until Amalek was overwhelmed – til sundown.
- Jethro saw Moses’ burden was too much and gave advice to appoint men over the thousands, hundreds, fifties, and tens to judge matters.
- At Mount Sinai, God promised if they keep his covenant, they would be His treasured possession – kingdom of priests, a holy nation.
- God gave the Israelites via Moses the 10 Commandments – the Law
- You shall have no other gods before me.
- You shall no make carved idols and bow down to them – comes with promise.
- Do not take Lord’s name in vain.
- Keep the Sabbath, keep it holy.
- Honor your father and mother, so that your days will be long.
- Do not murder.
- Do not commit adultery
- Do not steal.
- Do not lie/bear false witness
- Do not covet.
- The Lord gave laws about:
- how altars should be built
- treatment of slaves
- regarding punishments for striking, cursing or harming others
- restitution regarding destruction or loss of property – intentional or not
- social justice: treatment of others, tithe bribes, criticizing other
- Sabbaths and Festivals: Feast of Unleavened Bread, Feast of Harvest and Feast of Ingathering.
- God promises to drive the Canaanites out of the promised land little by little so as not to have the land destroyed.
- God asked Moses to ask for contributions for the tabernacle based on their heart.
- God gave them instructions on how to build the tabernacle, golden lampstand, table, ark, bronze alter, tabernacle court and the priest’s garments.
- Aaron and his sons will be priests.
Help me to remember:
that you were always with the Israelites and provided for their needs with sweet water, manna and quail everyday, and do the same for me.
Lord, I ask that
I am confident in obeying your law despite the world’s beliefs and actions
Heavenly Father, I am thankful for
your insistence in keeping the Sabbath.
