Exodus 16:11-15
11 And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, 12 “I have heard the grumblings of the sons of Israel; speak to them, saying, ‘At twilight you shall eat meat, and in the morning you shall be filled with bread; and you shall know that I am the LORD your God.’”
13 So it came about at evening that the quails came up and covered the camp, and in the morning there was a layer of dew around the camp. 14 When the layer of dew evaporated, behold, on the surface of the wilderness there was a fine flake-like thing, fine as the frost on the ground. 15 When the sons of Israel saw it, they said to one another, “What is it?” For they did not know what it was. And Moses said to them, “It is the bread which the LORD has given you to eat.
In the last session, we discussed God’s marvelous power manifested through the Ten Plagues to lead the Israelites out of Egypt. As Pharaoh didn’t immediately obey God’s command of leading them go, all the Egyptians suffered the great plagues. But, we could feel God’s love and compassion even from the Ten Plagues.
When Pharaoh suffered from a plague, he promised to set them free but once the plague was gone, he soon changed his mind. Even though he experienced God’s dignity, he repeatedly changed his mind and hardened his heart. God already knew that Pharaoh would do so. Yet, God didn’t start with the Firstborn to make Pharaoh afraid of Him and reluctantly obey Him. God desired Pharaoh to let them go voluntarily. Starting off with minor ones, God waited for him, giving him chances.
Without His patient and persevering love, God would’ve been like, ‘He is so evil. He will oppose me, forsake the grace and change his mind.’ He would’ve given up on in the first place. But, because God is love, He wanted even such an evil person to turn from his ways and offered him many chances.
I mentioned that the Ten Plagues inflicted on Egypt carry significant meanings for our Christian life. By making bread of their meanings well, we can escape from any kind of trouble and provide clear answers when counseling church members with problems. For example, some novice believers are persecuted by people in their workplaces and families by not conducting themselves wisely in their life of faith.
Such troubles fall into the category of the Plague of Blood where drinkable water turned into blood. When you’re persecuted even if you have no faults, as you stay thankful and joyful, and more faithful, the persecutions will soon turn into blessings. But in case you have faults, you have to repent right away to drive them away.
If there is dissension or breaking of peace in your family, if you have troubles in your workplace by Satan’s work, this is the Plague of Frogs, where frogs went into their bedrooms, ovens, and even their kneading bowls. Let’s say, as a believer, you have a light fever or a cold, if that doesn’t go away quickly even after receiving prayer, you have to look for things to repent of.
Particularly, when a little child has a high fever, it often results from his parents getting angry. This is the Plagues of Gnats. If a believer gets stricken with a serious, infectious disease, not a minor one, that’s the Plague of Flies. Not just theses plagues but all the Ten Plagues are closely related to our Christian life, so I urge you to make bread of them. (Life of Disobedience, Life of Obedience)
Even as Pharaoh suffered various plagues, he opposed God and persistently refused to let them go. But after he got stricken by the last plague, he finally surrendered. All the firstborn of the cattle and households were killed over night, so the sounds of weeping were all over Egypt.
Some Egyptians must’ve lost the heir to their family, and even Pharaoh’s first son, his successor, died. So, Pharaoh urgently called Moses and told him to take them out of Egypt according to God’s will. The Egyptians who’d horribly suffered because of Pharaoh’s stubbornness and tenacity prompted them to leave giving them a lot of silver, gold, and clothing. Actually, God already notified Moses of this outcome when He first called him.
So I will stretch out My hand and strike Egypt with all My miracles which I shall do in the midst of it; and after that he will let you go. 21 I will grant this people favor in the sight of the Egyptians; and it shall be that when you go, you will not go empty-handed. 22 But every woman shall ask of her neighbor and the woman who lives in her house, articles of silver and articles of gold, and clothing; and you will put them on your sons and daughters. Thus you will plunder the Egyptians.” (Exodus 3:20-22)
All things were fulfilled by God’s word. From then on, the Israelites went on a great journey towards Canaan. There were about 600,000 men except women and children. If children, the elderly, and women are added, the population is well over 2 million.
The Bible says, “A mixed multitude also went up with them, along with flocks and herds, a very large number of livestock.” (Exodus 12:38) There were a mixed multitude, namely, gentiles, a lot of livestock, necessary items, and wagons to carry all their loads. It’s easy to even imagine how all these things moved together. At this point, there people were just excited about the blessings in Canaan, but Moses was different. Leaving Egypt, he was carrying this heavy load of leading a tremendous number of people who didn’t have faith. From today, we’ll explore their journey towards Canaan.
As we talk about various incidents along the way, I hope you will ask yourself, How would I have acted if I had been among them, if I had been in Moses’ position? Would I have acted according to God’s will? I ask in our Lord’s name that all of you will become more than able to take the promised land of Canaan given to us.
With God working for them, the Israelites finally departed Egypt. God went ahead of them, guiding them in a pillar of cloud by day and in a pillar of fire by night. But not long after they started marching in peace, as they arrived at the Red Sea, they saw this terrifying sight. Pharaoh who regretted letting the Israelites go was chasing them with six hundred select chariots and all the other chariots of Egypt.
Looking ahead, they found themselves blocked by the sea and in the back, Pharaoh’s army was chasing them. The Israelites overcome by fear started to complain against Moses. They were like, “Why did you bring us out of Egypt and have us die in the wilderness?” We have to reflect on how Pharaoh’s and the Israelites’ hearts were in that urgent situation. Pharaoh surrendered only after suffering the Ten Plagues. But soon enough, he again changed his mind, regretted his decision and chased them.
Even after experiencing God’s works to a great extent, he ended up acting according to his evil, which indicates how hardened his heart was. What about the people? The Ten Plagues in Egypt were more than enough to let them know who God is. So, they realized that God is almighty and that any problem that be resolved by God’s power, no matter what that is.
Moreover, as they left Egypt, as God told Moses in advance, the Egyptians gave them great quantities of silver, gold and clothing. They were overjoyed when they were taking them out of Egypt. But in the face of a trouble, they were quick to grumble against Moses and God saying like, why did you bring us out of Egypt and have us die in the wilderness. They themselves wept and cried to God, asking Him to save them. But after God answered them, they complained again.
Their exodus from Egypt was the work of God who listened to their prayer. It’s not that Moses forcibly took them out. Who is our God? Even while He inflicted frightening plagues on the entire Egypt and destroyed all the firstborn over a single night, He kept the Israelites from being harmed at all. If they had believed in God who governs their life and death and blessings and curse, they wouldn’t have needed to worry at all just because Pharaoh’s army was chasing.
Yet, despite having witnessed such amazing power, still, they didn’t trust in God. Even so, God didn’t reproach the Israelites who lacked faith. Instead, He manifested His great power through the faith of one person, Moses. Understanding their weak faith, God worked on account of Moses’ faith. It’s like mothers’ carrying their infant children until they learn to walk.
But Moses said to the people, “Do not fear! Stand by and see the salvation of the LORD which He will accomplish for you today; for the Egyptians whom you have seen today, you will never see them again forever.” (Exodus 14:13) Then, how do you think God worked for them? The angel of God who’d been going before the camp of Israel moved and stood between the camp of Israel and the camp of Egypt. Then, the pillar of cloud moved, separating the army of Egypt and Israel. At night, there was light on the side of Israel but on the side of the Egyptian army, they couldn’t see anything blocked by the cloud and the darkness.
The Bible says that it gave light at night because the Israelites could see the moon and the stars. On the contrary, the camp of Egypt was blocked by the cloud and the darkness, so they couldn’t see the moon and the stars. Because ahead of them was dark, the Egyptians couldn’t come near the Israelites. Then, as Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, a strong east wind blew all night and split the sea, and dry land appeared.
As you read the Book of Exodus, don’t be misconceived that the Red Sea was split in the morning by the wind that had blown from early in the previous evening. God split the Red Sea right when Moses stretched out his hand. Even though the sea had already split, the east wind kept blowing so that the divided waters wouldn’t unite again. Why did the wind blow all night?
It must’ve taken quite a long time for those numerous wagons, cattle and sheep, and over two million people to cross the sea. That’s why the east wind blew all night to make way for them. As God clothed the spiritual space on it to block the wind, they could cross over in peace. Why don’t you visualize this spectacular sight!
With a thunderous roar and strong wind, the big sea was split and the people walked through the midst of the sea. On their both sides were divided waters standing like high walls. Let’s say we’re witnessing this scene and walking through it ourselves, how would it feel? We would be overwhelmed and inspired beyond words. We would be thrilled with His majestic power.
Deeply moved, we couldn’t help glorifying the almighty God and worshiping and praising Him from the bottom of our hearts. Another incredible thing was, when all the Israelites had crossed over, the Egyptian army was in the midst of the sea following them. As Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, the waters instantly came back over the army (chasing after the Israelites.)
All of them were buried in the sea, without any of them remaining. Seeing this, all the women including Moses’ sister took a timbrel in their hand, danced, and glorified God. While they were extremely thrilled and inspired, they wouldn’t have just said, “Father, thank You,” only with words. The women danced with a timbrel and praised, worshiped, and magnified Him.
The Bible says, When Israel saw the great power which the LORD had used against the Egyptians, the people feared the LORD, and they believed in the LORD and in His servant Moses. (Exodus 14:31) God, the LORD of host was with Moses and let him manifest great things. That’s how the people feared God and trusted in Him and His servant, Moses. Of course, the Ten Plagues were a continuation of wondrous works.
But, the splitting of the Red Sea once again confirmed that God was indeed in their midst and guaranteed His servant, Moses. Brothers and sisters, if the Israelites had truly been good-hearted, they would’ve trusted and obeyed him unconditionally thereafter. Then, let us look at how they acted.
We find the next incident after the crossing of the Red Sea recorded in Exodus 15, which is the incident in Marah. While they travelled through the wilderness after crossing the sea, they ran out of water. They entered the wilderness of Shur and arrived in Marah in three days. They managed to find water, which was too bitter to drink. Then, what should they have done?
They witnessed the Ten Plagues and watched God splitting the Red Sea. Because God even split the sea for them, there was no way He wasn’t able to give them water. Thus, they should’ve knelt down and asked with faith, “LORD God, please give us drinkable water.” But, they again failed to demonstrate faith. Instead they grumbled against Moses and made a fuss. Fortunately, this time again, God was patient with their lack of faith on account of one person, Moses.
As God heard Moses’ cry, He turned that undrinkable, bitter water into sweet water. It would’ve been good if the Israelites had developed true faith through this. But regrettably, whenever they faced troubles big and small thereafter, they failed to demonstrate faith. Whenever that happened, God forgave the entire Israel and was patient with them on account of Moses’ faith. He continually showed His work of salvation.
When they grumbled about lack of food, He gave them manna. As they complained about not having meat, God sent them flocks of quails so that they could eat them to their content. As they reached another place where there was no water, they got thirsty and grumbled again. God had Moses hit a rock so that water would come out of it. Watching the people who grumbled whenever they faced a trouble, Moses felt regrettable beyond words.
He had to ask God on behalf of the people without faith so that they could see God’s favor. At the same time, he had duties of calming them down, teaching them the truth, and planting faith in them. He even faced this desperate situation where he had to ask for their forgiveness, risking the salvation of his soul.
He did after he received the Ten Commandments. Moses went up the Mount Sinai, fasted and prayed for 40 days, and received the Commandments for the people. But, they grew impatient and committed great sins. They created the golden calf and offered sacrifices before the idol and ate and drank around it. Deeply disheartened by their evil deeds, God intended to destroy all of them and set up a new, great nation out of Moses. But again, Moses hung onto God,
saying, “But now, if You will, forgive their sin–and if not, please blot me out from Your book which You have written!” Here, the book which You have written refers to the Book of Life where the names of the saved ones are recorded. Because Moses was communicating with God, he knew that one’s name has to be written in the Book of Life for salvation.
Whoever doesn’t have his name in the Book ends up in the eternal fire and brimstone of hell. Even though Moses knew better than anyone else what the Book of Life was and what a terrifying place hell was, he earnestly pleaded with God risking his own life. Not able to ignore his earnest plea, God forgave the people once again. The Bible says, How often they rebelled against Him in the wilderness And grieved Him in the desert! (Psalm 78:40)
Because they’d witnessed His works again and again, it must’ve been enough for them to have faith. But whenever they faced a new kind of trouble, they still opposed Moses and resented God. Brothers and sisters, if we please God or move Him, then we can receive His answers and blessings. How can we please or move Him. The answer is faith.
Thus, once we believe in something, that faith should be steadfast. And, never should we forsake the favor we’ve received. But the Israelites were the opposite. Having witnessed those numerous works, they still didn’t have faith. In the face of a trouble, they always resented Moses and disheartened God.
Even though they escaped from troubles by Moses’ faith, when something didn’t agree with their thoughts, they even condemned Moses unrighteous. On their journey towards Canaan, they watched countless wonders and signs. Yet, they constantly tested God and His servant Moses and grumbled. Even so, God bore with them again and again, manifested power to help them grow their faith, and resolved the issues that complained about. But, you shouldn’t get this wrong.
You shouldn’t think, ‘They received God’s answers even after praying in resentment. That would work for me too!’ God says that we can receive His answer only when we tell Him our requests in firm faith and thanksgiving. The Bible says, “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” (Philippians 4:6) No reason for worries if we have faith.
If we believe God’s word telling us to believe that we’ve already received what we’ve prayed and asked for, we wouldn’t be worried in any situation but calmly offer our prayer and petition. Believing in His answer, we would ask Him in thanksgiving. We wouldn’t just say thank You with our lips but have gratitude from the bottom of our heart. Only when we ask Him with such a heart, can we receive His answer.
Then, how did the Israelites in Moses’ time receive God’s answers? God did satisfy their needs but it’s not that He answered their complaints and resentment. God worked on account of Moses’ faith. God also expected them to grow their faith by witnessing His power and change into proper ones before Him.
When the Israelites complained about food, God said to Moses in today’s Scripture, “Speak to them, saying, ‘At twilight you shall eat meat, and in the morning you shall be filled with bread; and you shall know that I am the LORD your God.’” Namely, God showed these works so that the Israelites could know how almighty He is and believe and obey Him. He manifested such works to help them know and believe Him. Here, to know God isn’t just to have knowledge about Him.
The Bible says, The one who says, “I have come to know Him (Namely, I believe, love, and know Him),” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar.” So to speak, even though you confess, “I believe God, I love Him and know Him,” if you don’t keep His commandments, your words are all lies. If you truly believe, you can’t help but keep them.
That’s why the verse tells us that if he does not keep His commandments, he is a liar, and the truth is not in him. In other words, while you know the words of God with your head, if they’re not in your heart, you cannot keep them. Therefore, we should cast off all sins and evil, circumcise our heart in the truth, and resemble God who is light. As we do so, the works we’ve experienced become our spiritual faith.
Then, even when God demands something beyond our current level of faith, even when we meet situations that go against our benefits or don’t agree with our thoughts, we would do what God wants, thereby growing our faith even more. Only people like this can enter Canaan promised by God.
The Israelites who’d witnessed numerous works through Moses and received God’s guidance reached Kadesh-barnea after many ups and downs. They were about to enter Canaan that they’d dearly longed for. We’ll talk about what happened thereafter in the next session.