God Will Provide For His People

God Will Always Provide For His People

Our Text: Exodus Chapters 16,17,18

It is a shame when the people of God can ride high on the mountain with joy and shouting but when things get just a little bit tough "faith" cannot be found. These children of Israel had been delivered from the bondage of slavery but that was now overlooked.

When our "faith" is weak then our testimony to the world is deplorable!

Jesus had these words:

Luk 18:8 I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. [Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?]

We can look in America and around this world and we will see that true "faith" in the One True God is not on the scale that it should be. As a Christian we have been delivered, "our home is now Heaven" we are no longer slaves to the Devil. He can still cause problems and he will, but he can not cause us to loose our salvation.

So, Why do we murmer every time things don't go the way we think they should?

It is still a Holy God that sits on His Throne. If we have the fear of the Lord that we should have, we will know that every thing God sends through our lives is the exact right thing we need at that time. God "will" provide for His children.

The daily gift of "Manna" was one of the most important provisions God gave to the people of Israel during their wilderness journey.

Jesus used "manna" to teach that He was the true bread from Heaven. In the Book of Revelation the angel promises all that are saved access to the hidden "manna".

The word "Manna" means "What is it". Manna was a raw material and not the finished product. We must put feet on the Word Of God and take it to others.

This "manna" did not exist in the wilderness, it was God sent for the occasion of Israel's time in the wilderness.

They may have gotten tired of eating the "manna" but God never stopped supplying it until they reached the "Promised Land".

The leading of Israel into the Wilderness of Sin will bring out the strength of Moses's "faith". These children of Israel were in full view of the road they had to travel and it was not a pleasant site. Every step they took led them away from the carnal world they had known and into a spiritual world they would find.

Moses was not ignorant of these things because he had spent forty years in this area tending sheep. He knew full well it would take a daily miracle to sustain these estimated at least two million people. God had trained him well but still his task was very great.

*****Our text:

Exo 16:1 And they took their journey from Elim, and all the congregation of the children of Israel came unto the wilderness of Sin, which is between Elim and Sinai, on the fifteenth day of the second month after their departing out of the land of Egypt.

Exo 16:2 And the whole congregation of the children of Israel murmured against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness:

Exo 16:3 And the children of Israel said unto them, Would to God we had died by the hand of the LORD in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the flesh pots, and when we did eat bread to the full; for ye have brought us forth into this wilderness, to kill this whole assembly with hunger.

Exo 16:4 Then said the LORD unto Moses, Behold, I will rain bread from heaven for you; and the people shall go out and gather a certain rate every day, that I may prove them, whether they will walk in my law, or no.

Exo 16:5 And it shall come to pass, that on the sixth day they shall prepare that which they bring in; and it shall be twice as much as they gather daily.

Exo 16:6 And Moses and Aaron said unto all the children of Israel, At even, then ye shall know that the LORD hath brought you out from the land of Egypt:

Exo 16:7 And in the morning, then ye shall see the glory of the LORD; for that he heareth your murmurings against the LORD: and what are we, that ye murmur against us?

Exo 16:8 And Moses said, This shall be, when the LORD shall give you in the evening flesh to eat, and in the morning bread to the full; for that the LORD heareth your murmurings which ye murmur against him: and what are we? your murmurings are not against us, but against the LORD.

After Pharaoh's army was destroyed in the collapsing of the Red Sea and these redeemed of the Lord had made it to Elim(among the palms) an oasis, God had given Israel the rest of a month to prepare for the remaining journey. It had been thirty days since they had left Egypt.

Exo 12:6 And ye shall keep it up until the fourteenth day of the same month: and the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel shall kill it in the evening.

Exo 12:10 And ye shall let nothing of it remain until the morning; and that which remaineth of it until the morning ye shall burn with fire.

Exo 12:11 And thus shall ye eat it; with your loins girded, your shoes on your feet, and your staff in your hand; and ye shall eat it in haste: it is the LORD'S passover.

What is the next thing we see?

They had been looking into the Wilderness they now had to travel and:

1.) They had forgotten, the whips and chains of bondage.

2.) They had forgotten the taskmasters.

3.) They had forgotten how evil that Pharaoh had been.

4.) They had forgotten all the "miracles of God".

ALL THEY COULD THINK OF WAS "SELF"!

Notice it was not just a few of the people but it was "all the congregation".

How many of our churches are filled with these "type" of people.

1.) People who have forgotten the slavery and bondage of Satan.

2.) People who have forgotten the Work of Jesus on the Cross.

3.) People who have forgotten how evil this world truly is.

4.) People who have forgotten the "miracle of Salvation and the Saviour"

In both cases when these sort look at the journey God has chosen they immediately "murmer and complain".

Remember it is God that must choose our path.

Exo 13:21 And the LORD went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud, to lead them the way; and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light; to go by day and night:

Exo 13:22 [He took not away the pillar of the cloud by day, nor the pillar of fire by night, from before the people].

It is God who promises to never leave us.

Heb 13:5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, [I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee].

When we refuse to travel the path God has chosen, then we have chosen our own path to destruction.

These people then said something they should never have said:

"Would to God we had died by the hand of the LORD in the land of Egypt"

This is taking the "Word Of God" in VAIN.

1.) God promised deliverance and He had done so.

2.) God promised they would be led safely to a place of worship and He was doing so.

3.) God had promised to be with them and He was still there.

There will be many of them, and those in this world that would fall by the hand of God and He will continue to do so.

Pro 29:1 He, that being often reproved hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy.

All these could show was the signs of "unbelief":

"for ye have brought us forth into this wilderness, to kill this whole assembly with hunger"

What we know is that it was impossible for them to die in the wilderness because they had the Word of God to Moses:

"When thou hast brought forth the people out of Egypt, ye shall serve God upon this mountain" (Exo 3:12)

What we should see as Christians is that this "Manna" is in fact a "type" of food for our "souls"!

I.) The Manna represents the Word of God:

The "manna" represents the "Word of God", the true bread of life. It was the Apostle John, through the Holy Spirit that said the entire Word of God is fulfilled in Jesus.

Joh 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

Joh 1:2 The same was in the beginning with God.

Joh 1:3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.

Joh 1:4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men.

1.) The "manna" was a supernatural gift from God:

"Then said the LORD unto Moses, Behold, I will rain bread from heaven for you" (vs 4)

This "Manna" was not a product of this earth! This "Manna" was not made by man! This "Manna" was not something that Israel brought out of Egypt!

Though some teach that this "Manna" was something that was already in the wilderness they cannot explain how it grew all twelve months for 40 years and has not been seen since! How it was in every location of Israel's travel no matter where they camped.

HOW THERE WAS ALWAYS ENOUGH TO FEED OVER 2 MILLION PEOPLE!

It is foolish to question the Word of God!

All these things can be said of the Word of God which is the "Spiritual Manna", food for our souls!

The Bible is our miracle "manna" given by Divine inspiration. The Word of God came down from Heaven as a gift of God.

To get a picture of the amount of "manna" gathered dailey:

a.) At least two million people.

Num 1:45 So were all those that were numbered of the children of Israel, by the house of their fathers, from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war in Israel;

Num 1:46 Even all they that were numbered were six hundred thousand and three thousand and five hundred and fifty.

Num 1:47 But the Levites after the tribe of their fathers were not numbered among them.

This did not count women and children under twenty and those over fifty and the entire tribe of Levi.

b.) An "omer" is equivalent to six pints. In a grain this would be 12 million pints or 9 million pounds of grain gathered every day. (4,500 tons of grain)

It would take 10 trains each having 30 cars just to supply one day of food to these redeemed of God. This is over 1,000,000 tons a year for 40 years.

2.) This "Manna" came right to where the people were:

Exo 16:13 And it came to pass, that at even the quails came up, and covered the camp: and in the morning the dew lay round about the host.

Exo 16:14 And when the dew that lay was gone up, behold, upon the face of the wilderness there lay a small round thing, as small as the hoar frost on the ground.

There was no travel involved in gathering this food. It was right at hand, just outside the tent.

The same is true of the Word of God. It is right at hand to most people and if not God will send it to you.

Though it was sent the people of Israel had to leave their tent and go out to gather it. To the Christian believer, God will put His Word in our hands but We Must Take The Time To Read And Gather It Into Our Souls.

Many that do not believe and some that say they do will trample God's Word under their feet!

3.) The "manna" was small in size.

"upon the face of the wilderness there lay a small round thing, as small as the hoar frost on the ground"

The Apostle John wrote:

Joh 21:24 This is the disciple which testifieth of these things, and wrote these things: and we know that his testimony is true.

Joh 21:25 And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen.

God has given us the sum total of His Word that if we read and believe will give us eternal life in Heaven. This wonderful "gift from Heaven" can be carried around in your pocket.

a.) It will make us wise to salvation.

b.) It will sustain our souls throughout our own wilderness travels.

c.) It is all that is needed to make us perfect in the eyes of God.

d.) It will lead us in the path of righteousness.

This "manna" was a small round thing with no angles and no rough edges.

The Word of God is perfect, whole and complete. There is nothing that can be added to God's Word to make it more complete.

4.) The "Manna" was white in color.

Exo 16:31 And the house of Israel called the name there of Manna: and it was like coriander seed, white; and the taste of it was like wafers made with honey.

White is the emblem of purity. (The Word of God is Pure)

Psa 12:6 The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times.

Psa 119:140 Thy word is very pure: therefore thy servant loveth it.

Pro 30:5 Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him.

There are no mistakes in God's Word.

There are no contradictions in God's Word.

There are no blemishes in God's Word.

There is nothing that can be added to God's Word to make it more pure than it is!

5.) The "Manna" was eaten.

The Word of God is not given for us to simply look at.

THE WORD OF GOD MUST BE EATEN AND DIGESTED!

WE MUST LEARN HOW TO FEED ON "THE WORD OF LIFE"!

2Ti 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

The Word of God must be personal to us all:

Mat 7:7 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:

Mat 7:8 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.

I must ask!

I must seek!

I must apply God's Word to my own self!

Rom 8:32 He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, [how shall he not with him also freely give us all things]?

Php 4:19 But my God shall supply all your(Bobby Mayfield's) need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

When I come to a place in the Bible that condemns my ways, I MUST NOT SKIP OVER IT!

It is also written for me!

I must chew on the Word of God. I cannot just read it one time and say I understand it. I must continually chew on it and take it in to my heart or it will not nourish me.

Psa 1:2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD; [and in his law doth he meditate day and night].

Does His Word not give you delight?

1Co 15:51 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,

How can we not get delight from this scripture?

Psa 23:4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

How can I not be delighted by the fact that I can "walk", not run, not be afraid, through this life in the shadow of death and fear no evil.

My physical death is my door way to Heaven, my doorway to the Glory World!

6.) The "Manna" was gathered daily.

The manna that was gathered the day before would not be sufficient for today. A new supply must be gathered daily.

We cannot neglect the daily feeding of our soul just as we have to daily feed our bodies! To most believers they go to their local church on Sunday to be fed and then try to live off that for the entire week. We cannot do this with food for our bodies and we cannot do this with God's Food for our souls.

7.) This "Manna" was gathered in the morning.

It was first thing in the morning before other things could interfere that the manna was gathered or it would have been gone.

We cannot allow God's Word to take a second place to anything in this world. We must begin our day with God!

Remember it is not the amount of time spent in God's Word but it is the amount of "Heart" which is put into that time!

8.) This "Manna" was obtained by labor.

Exo 16:21 And they gathered it every morning, every man according to his eating: and when the sun waxed hot, it melted.

Jesus said in His own words:

Joh 6:27 Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed.

The Bible says:

1Ti 4:9 This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation.

1Ti 4:10 [For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach], because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe.

1Ti 4:11 These things command and teach.

Heb 4:11 [Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest], lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.

Our labor for ourselves cannot provide the things that only God can provide, but we must labor as a worker for the things that God teaches. We must put forth an effort in the service of God.

Rom 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

Rom 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

9.) The "Manna" was gathered by stooping.

We must humble ourselves before God!

Psa 119:18 Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.

Psa 119:19 I am a stranger in the earth: hide not thy commandments from me.

10.) Some gathered more manna and some gathered less manna.

Exo 16:17 And the children of Israel did so, and gathered, some more, some less.

Some people take in the Old Testament or just parts of it. Some take in the New Testament or just parts of it.

We must take in the entire Word of God!

2Ti 3:16 [All scripture] is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

2Ti 3:17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

11.) What was gathered must be used.

Exo 16:19 And Moses said, Let no man leave of it till the morning.

The Word of "truth" must not be hoarded up! As the Lord gives us opportunities in our walk with Him we must pass His Word on to others.

12.) The "Manna" cannot be understood by the natural man.

Exo 16:15 And when the children of Israel saw it, they said one to another, [It is manna: for they wist not what it was]. And Moses said unto them, This is the bread which the LORD hath given you to eat.

The word "Manna" means "What is it".

1Co 2:14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

God gave us a commandment to live by:

Mat 28:19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

Mat 28:20 [Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you]: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

What God has commanded us, He gave to us in His Holy Word, The Bible.

13.) This "Manna" was despised by many in the multitude.

Num 11:4 And the mixt multitude that was among them fell a lusting: and the children of Israel also wept again, and said, Who shall give us flesh to eat?

Num 11:5 We remember the fish, which we did eat in Egypt freely; the cucumbers, and the melons, and the leeks, and the onions, and the garlick:

Num 11:6 But now our soul is dried away: there is nothing at all, beside this manna, before our eyes.

There are more in this world that despise the Word of God than love it.

Mat 13:30 Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, [Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them]: but gather the wheat into my barn.

14.) The "Manna" was preserved in the Ark.

Exo 16:33 And Moses said unto Aaron, Take a pot, and put an omer full of manna therein, and lay it up before the LORD, to be kept for your generations.

The New Testament tells us:

Heb 9:4 Which had the golden censer, and the ark of the covenant overlaid round about with gold, [wherein was the golden pot that had manna], and Aaron's rod that budded, and the tables of the covenant;

The "manna" was not to be stored up in the tents, not even for one single day. It was preserved in the House of God, the Tabernacle, for almost 40 years. It was to be kept till the Promised Land was reached.

This tells us that the Word Of God will be preserved throughout all the ages. Then when we face Christ Jesus we will facing the true Word of God. We will then and only then not need the written Word of God.

15.) The "Manna" was gathered until the Promised Land was reached.

Exo 16:35 And the children of Israel did eat manna forty years, until they came to a land inhabited; they did eat manna, until they came unto the borders of the land of Canaan.

God has an inexhaustible supply for His people.

1Pe 1:24 For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away:

1Pe 1:25 But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.

We must have a daily feeding of the Word of God and God will make sure that His Word will be there for all who seeks Him!

Jeremiah said:

Jer 15:16 Thy words were found, and [I did eat them]; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: [for I am called by thy name, O LORD God of hosts].

We should become more like Jeremiah and less like this world we live in.

II.) The "Manna" is a "Type" of Christ:

The Bible says:

Psa 40:7 [Then said I, Lo, I come: in the volume of the book it is written of me],

Psa 40:8 I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart.

John wrote:

Joh 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

Joh 1:2 The same was in the beginning with God.

John wrote these words of Our Lord Jesus:

Joh 5:39 Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.

If we feed off God's Word then we are feeding on Jesus Christ!

Jesus explains this "Manna":

Joh 6:32 Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Moses gave you not that bread from heaven; but my Father giveth you the true bread from heaven.

Joh 6:33 For the bread of God is he which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world.

Joh 6:34 Then said they unto him, Lord, evermore give us this bread.

Joh 6:35 And Jesus said unto them, [I am the bread of life]: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.

There could be no doubt to Israel and there can be doubt to any that study the Word of God!

1.) God gave this "Manna".

It is hard to believe that after all the miracles that were seen by the new nation of Israel that they could have such unbelief in the Word of God. Instead of judgment God sent them the "Manna".

To make a comparison, after some more than two thousand years later even though the world had forgotten the Word of God.

Rom 1:19 Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.

Rom 1:20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:

Rom 1:21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.

Rom 1:22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,

Rom 1:23 And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.

Rom 1:24 Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves:

Rom 1:25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.

God sent the true and "Living Manna". Instead of judgment God sent His Son!

2.) The "Place" the manna was sent.

God had sent the manna when Israel arrived in the "Wilderness of Sin".

Exo 16:1 And they took their journey from Elim, and all the congregation of the children of Israel came unto the [wilderness of Sin], which is between Elim and Sinai, on the fifteenth day of the second month after their departing out of the land of Egypt.

There could be no more fitting place.

What is a wilderness? It is a homeless place. No one would think of building a house there. What do we see at the birth of Christ?

Luk 2:6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.

Luk 2:7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; [because there was no room for them in the inn].

In the Word of Jesus:

Mat 8:20 And Jesus saith unto him, The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.

Jesus also came to the "wilderness of Sin".

Joh 1:5 And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.

3.) The "Glory Of The Lord" was linked to the giving of the manna.

Exo 16:10 And it came to pass, as Aaron spake unto the whole congregation of the children of Israel, that they looked toward the wilderness, and, behold, [the glory of the LORD] appeared in the cloud.

This is the very first time in scripture we see the phrase, "Glory of the Lord".

And the Living Manna, (the Word became flesh) and the Glory of God was shone to the world.

Joh 1:14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

The "Glory of God" is seen in the "face in the face of Jesus.

2Co 4:6 For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

4.) The "Manna" came down from Heaven.

Exo 16:4 Then said the LORD unto Moses, Behold, I will rain bread from heaven for you; and the people shall go out and gather a certain rate every day, that I may prove them, whether they will walk in my law, or no.

Our Lord Jesus was not a part of this earth.

Eph 4:10 He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.)

1Co 15:47 The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven.

1Co 15:48 As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly.

5.) The manna was a "Free Gift" from God.

Exo 16:15 And when the children of Israel saw it, they said one to another, It is manna: for they wist not what it was. And Moses said unto them, This is the bread which the LORD hath given you to eat.

The manna was a token of God's love. It could not be bought by wage or deeds, and it was not some prize that had to be won. God made no demand of repayment.

And Our Lord Jesus:

Joh 3:16 For God so loved the world, [that he gave his only begotten Son], that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

2Co 9:15 Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.

God makes no demand for payment!

6.) The manna was sent to the Israelites.

Exo 16:4 Then said the LORD unto Moses, Behold, [I will rain bread from heaven for you]; and the people shall go out and gather a certain rate every day, that I may prove them, whether they will walk in my law, or no.

The manna was for the elect of God.

And Jesus said:

Joh 17:19 And [for their sakes] I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth.

Jesus is given to all he has ordained to eternal life.

Joh 10:11 I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.

Jesus is the bread of life to the Church.

Mat 1:21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.

7.) The Manna was sent to the place it was needed.

The children of Israel were in danger of starvation. They only had to step outside their tent to get their meal.

"and in the morning the dew lay round about the host. And when the dew that lay was gone up, behold, upon the face of the wilderness there lay a small round thing, as small as the hoar frost on the ground. " (Vs.13,14)

And to the "believer" God says:

Rom 10:6 But the righteousness which is of faith speaketh on this wise, Say not in thine heart, Who shall ascend into heaven? (that is, to bring Christ down from above:)

Rom 10:7 Or, Who shall descend into the deep? (that is, to bring up Christ again from the dead.)

Rom 10:8 But what saith it? [The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach];

Rom 10:9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

8.) Each individual must gather his own manna.

"Gather of it every man according to his eating" (Vs. 15)

To the believer, receiving Jesus Christ is a personal matter:

Joh 1:12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:

Those that believe not will be ashamed:

Rom 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

The Apostle Paul said and every believer should say:

Gal 2:20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, [who loved me, and gave himself for me].

9.) The manna fulfilled a daily need.

Exo 16:4 Then said the LORD unto Moses, Behold, I will rain bread from heaven for you; and the people shall go out and [gather a certain rate every day], that I may prove them, whether they will walk in my law, or no.

And to the believer:

We need a daily dose of Jesus Christ!

Mat 6:11 Give us this day our daily bread.

That daily bread being the Word of God and the Living Word, Jesus Christ Himself!

Jesus said:

Joh 6:47 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life.

Joh 6:48 I am that bread of life.

10.) The appetite determined the amount of manna gathered.

Exo 16:16 This is the thing which the LORD hath commanded, Gather of it every man according to his eating, an omer for every man, according to the number of your persons; take ye every man for them which are in his tents.

Exo 16:17 And the children of Israel did so, [and gathered, some more, some less].

As believers, we can all have as much Christ as we desire. If we choose to feed the flesh more then the flesh will dominate our behavior. If we feed the Spiritual side more WE WILL BE MORE LIKE CHRIST!

11.) The manna was despised by all those that were not the Lord's people.

Num 11:4 And [the mixt multitude that was among] them fell a lusting: and the children of Israel also wept again, and said, Who shall give us flesh to eat?

Num 11:5 We remember the fish, which we did eat in Egypt freely; the cucumbers, and the melons, and the leeks, and the onions, and the garlick:

Num 11:6 But now our soul is dried away: there is nothing at all, beside this manna, before our eyes.

Isaiah prophesied this of Jesus:

Isa 53:3 He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.

We know this was true of Our Lord and still is today. Those that are blinded by the Devil are incapable of seeing the Beauty of Jesus Christ. They neither come to Him nor desire Him!

12.) The "Manna" fell upon the dew and not upon the dust of the ground.

Num 11:9 And when the dew fell upon the camp in the night, the manna fell upon it.

Man is made from the dust of the ground!

Gen 3:19 In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.

We know that because of the curse all flesh was in sin.

But Our Lord Jesus Christ came in a prepared body of flesh that was not from the dust of the ground and so not of the curse of sinful flesh.

Heb 10:5 Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, [but a body hast thou prepared me]:

The angel said:

Luk 1:35 And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.

13.) The Manna was white.

Exo 16:31 And the house of Israel called the name thereof Manna: and it was like coriander seed, [white]; and the taste of it was like wafers made with honey.

This speaks of the spotless purity of Jesus Christ!

2Co 5:21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, [who knew no sin]; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

Heb 4:15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet [without sin].

Heb 7:26 For such an high priest became us, who is [holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners], and made higher than the heavens;

1Pe 1:18 Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers;

1Pe 1:19 But with the precious blood of Christ, [as of a lamb without blemish and without spot]:

Only Jesus Christ could touch the leper without becoming contaminated!

I was a leper wrapped in filthy rags until I met the pure, sinless Saviour!

14.) The manna was sweet to the taste.

"the taste of it was like wafers made with honey" (Vs 16:31)

In The Song of Solomon we find a description of Our Lord:

Son 2:3 As the apple tree among the trees of the wood, so is my beloved among the sons. [I sat down under his shadow with great delight, and his fruit was sweet to my taste].

Rev 22:1 And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb.

Rev 22:2 In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.

15.) The manna was ground and baked.

Num 11:8 And the people went about, and gathered it, and ground it in mills, or beat it in a mortar, and baked it in pans, and made cakes of it: and the taste of it was as the taste of fresh oil.

This speaks of the sufferings of Our Lord:

Isa 53:4 Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.

Isa 53:5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.

16.) The manna was preserved on the Sabbath.

Exo 16:23 And he said unto them, This is that which the LORD hath said, To morrow is the rest of the holy sabbath unto the LORD: bake that which ye will bake to day, and seethe that ye will seethe; and that which remaineth over lay up for you to be kept until the morning.

Exo 16:24 And they laid it up till the morning, as Moses bade: and it did not stink, neither was there any worm therein.

Our Lord Jesus Christ has been the only one preserved through death. Jesus lay in the grave on the Sabbath day and was kept from corruption.

Psa 16:10 For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.

17.) The manna was laid up before the Lord.

Exo 16:33 And Moses said unto Aaron, Take a pot, and put an omer full of manna therein, and [lay it up before the LORD], to be kept for your generations.

And Christ Jesus:

Heb 9:24 For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us:

18.) The manna was called angel's food.

Psa 78:25 Man did eat angels' food: he sent them meat to the full.

And of Our Lord:

Heb 1:4 Being made so much better than the angels, as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.

Heb 1:5 For unto which of the angels said he at any time, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee? And again, I will be to him a Father, and he shall be to me a Son?

Heb 1:6 And again, when he bringeth in the firstbegotten into the world, he saith, And let all the angels of God worship him.

The angels also worship Our Lord Jesus Christ.

19.) The manna was given in the night.

Num 11:9 And when the dew fell upon the camp in the night, the manna fell upon it.

This is a picture of man's helplessness.

Joh 1:5 [And the light shineth in darkness]; and the darkness comprehended it not.

1Co 2:14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

20.) The Manna is now hidden.

Rev 2:17 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; [To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna], and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.

When Jesus Christ ascended back to Heaven He is unseen to the eye.

Joh 14:19 Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also.

Joh 14:19 Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also.

*****Chapter 17

The Smitten Rock:

Exo 17:1 And all the congregation of the children of Israel journeyed from the wilderness of Sin, after their journeys, according to the commandment of the LORD, and pitched in Rephidim: and there was no water for the people to drink.

Exo 17:2 Wherefore the people did chide with Moses, and said, Give us water that we may drink. And Moses said unto them, Why chide ye with me? wherefore do ye tempt the LORD?

Exo 17:3 And the people thirsted there for water; and the people murmured against Moses, and said, Wherefore is this that thou hast brought us up out of Egypt, to kill us and our children and our cattle with thirst?

Exo 17:4 And Moses cried unto the LORD, saying, What shall I do unto this people? they be almost ready to stone me.

Exo 17:5 And the LORD said unto Moses, Go on before the people, and take with thee of the elders of Israel; and thy rod, wherewith thou smotest the river, take in thine hand, and go.

Exo 17:6 Behold, I will stand before thee there upon the rock in Horeb; and thou shalt smite the rock, and there shall come water out of it, that the people may drink. And Moses did so in the sight of the elders of Israel.

Exo 17:7 And he called the name of the place Massah, and Meribah, because of the chiding of the children of Israel, and because they tempted the LORD, saying, Is the LORD among us, or not?

What we should be learning from these scriptures is that in our journey on the path of "Faith" we are going to encounter things that our flesh just does not like. God will try to wean us from this carnal world so we will need to rely totally on Him.

We will see these things as failures but the proof of them is Our Longsuffering God and His Patience in training us for the work ahead.

Satan will use the same old things to discourage us until they don't work anymore and he will then try something else. HE WILL NEVER QUIT!

1Pe 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:

1Pe 5:9 Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.

1Pe 5:10 But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.

God uses these same things to make us strong!

Remember it was God that led the children of Israel to this place of Rephidim, where there was no water.

It is a true saying that "IF GOD WILL LEAD YOU TO IT, THEN GOD WILL LEAD YOU THROUGH IT!

That word "chide" means "to blame" and Moses asked them "why blame me?" and then he said "why do you tempt the Lord"

Moses had only followed the cloud and the cloud had stopped but the cloud was still there providing the comfort of shade to all.

Exo 13:21 And the LORD went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud, to lead them the way; and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light; to go by day and night:

Exo 13:22 [He took not away the pillar of the cloud by day], nor the pillar of fire by night, from before the people.

You know God does not work on our schedule but He demands that we have "Faith" in Him:

Heb 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

God will fulfill every "promise" that He makes!

Moses did not fall into the trap of arguing with these people this time but went straight to the Lord.

This is to be more like Christ.

1Pe 2:21 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:

1Pe 2:22 Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:

1Pe 2:23 Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously:

It is the Lord that has all the answers:(Vs 17:6)

"Behold, I will stand before thee there upon the rock in Horeb; and thou shalt smite the rock, and there shall come water out of it, that the people may drink. And Moses did so in the sight of the elders of Israel"

There can be no misunderstanding of this passage because God explains what it means:

1Co 10:1 Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea;

1Co 10:2 And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea;

1Co 10:3 And did all eat the same spiritual meat;

1Co 10:4 And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.

1Co 10:5 But with many of them God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness.

God says Himself that this "rock" is a "type" of Christ!

The "Rock" is one of the titles of Jehovah God!

Deu 32:15 But Jeshurun waxed fat, and kicked: thou art waxen fat, thou art grown thick, thou art covered with fatness; then he forsook God which made him, and lightly esteemed [the Rock of his salvation].

Samuel wrote by the Holy Ghost these words of David:

2Sa 22:2 And he said, [The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer];

2Sa 22:3 The God of my rock; in him will I trust: he is my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my high tower, and my refuge, my saviour; thou savest me from violence.

2Sa 22:4 I will call on the LORD, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies.

1.) My rock

2.) My fortress

3.) My deliverer

4.) My shield

5.) My salvation

6.) My high tower

7.) My refuge

8.) My Saviour

This "Rock" is worthy to be praised! This is MY LORD! This is MY MESSIAH! This is My CHRIST JESUS! This is MY GOD!

Jesus said:

Mat 16:15 He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?

Mat 16:16 And Simon Peter answered and said, [Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God].

Mat 16:17 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.

Mat 16:18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

That "Rock" is Christ, the Son of the Living God.

We cannot be confused the "Rock" was not Peter!

a.) This is the "Rock" that cannot be moved!

Job 18:4 He teareth himself in his anger: shall the earth be forsaken for thee? [and shall the rock be removed out of his place?]

b.) This the solid ground, the solid foundation of the Church!

Mat 7:24 Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:

Mat 7:25 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.

Mat 7:26 And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand:

Mat 7:27 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.

c.) This the "Rock" that will ground all that is evil and all false religion into powder!

Mat 21:43 Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof.

Mat 21:44 And whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken: but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder.

d.) This is the "Rock" that is elevated above all others!

Isa 9:6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

*****But What do we see of this "Rock"?(Vs 17:6)

"thou shalt smite the rock"

This of course tells us of the Cross that Jesus bore by Himself!

Isa 53:4 Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, [smitten of God], and afflicted.

Isa 53:5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.

This "Rock" would now be come the "Fountain of Life"!

"there shall come water out of it, that the people may drink"

The Bible say the Holy Spirit will be "poured out" on the Church:

Act 2:18 And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will [pour out] in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy:

Jesus Christ said:

Joh 4:10 Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water.

Joh 4:11 The woman saith unto him, Sir, thou hast nothing to draw with, and the well is deep: from whence then hast thou that living water?

Joh 4:12 Art thou greater than our father Jacob, which gave us the well, and drank thereof himself, and his children, and his cattle?

Joh 4:13 Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again:

Joh 4:14 But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.

Remember what the Bible said?

1Co 10:4 [And did all drink the same spiritual drink]: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.

Remember there is no such thing as a believer who has not received the Holy Ghost!

Rom 8:8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.

Rom 8:9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.

The water, the Living Water, that flowed from this smitten "Rock" is the sign of God's "GRACE" to a dry and thirsty Soul.

And where sin abounds, "Grace" will much more abound.

There was no flow of this "Living Water" until after this "Rock" was smitten!

There was no flow of the "Living Water" until the death of Jesus on the Cross!

And what should we say?

2Co 9:15 Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.

*****We do find one more thing to be mentioned at this time:

Num 20:7 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,

Num 20:8 Take the rod, and gather thou the assembly together, thou, and Aaron thy brother, and speak ye unto the rock before their eyes; and it shall give forth his water, and thou shalt bring forth to them water out of the rock: so thou shalt give the congregation and their beasts drink.

Num 20:9 And Moses took the rod from before the LORD, as he commanded him.

Num 20:10 And Moses and Aaron gathered the congregation together before the rock, and he said unto them, Hear now, ye rebels; must we fetch you water out of this rock?

Num 20:11 And Moses lifted up his hand, and with his rod he smote the rock twice: and the water came out abundantly, and the congregation drank, and their beasts also.

Num 20:12 And the LORD spake unto Moses and Aaron, Because ye believed me not, to sanctify me in the eyes of the children of Israel, therefore ye shall not bring this congregation into the land which I have given them.

We see that the "Rock" was not to be smitten a second time! This took away from the "type" the "lesson" God was teaching. This gets deeper than we will go into at this time but just to mention:

Once Christ was raised from the dead, He will never die again.

Rom 6:9 Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him.

Rom 6:10 For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God.

The Son of God will only be offered once for our sin.

Heb 9:25 Nor yet that he should offer himself often, as the high priest entereth into the holy place every year with blood of others;

Heb 9:26 For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.

What we see is that God's man Moses, God's servant, failed because there can only be "One Perfect Servant"!

Isa 42:1 Behold my servant, whom I uphold; mine elect, in whom my soul delighteth; I have put my spirit upon him: he shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles.

Moses lost his temper with the children of Israel and could not then lead them into the Promised Land.

God is very jealous of even of "His Own Typology"!

All Moses had to do was to speak to the "Rock" to be obedient to the Lord!

"speak ye unto the rock before their eyes" (Numbers 20:8)

The Bible says:

Jas 4:1 From whence come wars and fightings among you? come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members?

Jas 4:2 Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not.

Jas 4:3 Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.

*****Amalek

Our text:

Exo 17:8 Then came Amalek, and fought with Israel in Rephidim.

Exo 17:9 And Moses said unto Joshua, Choose us out men, and go out, fight with Amalek: to morrow I will stand on the top of the hill with the rod of God in mine hand.

Exo 17:10 So Joshua did as Moses had said to him, and fought with Amalek: and Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill.

Exo 17:11 And it came to pass, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed: and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed.

Exo 17:12 But Moses' hands were heavy; and they took a stone, and put it under him, and he sat thereon; and Aaron and Hur stayed up his hands, the one on the one side, and the other on the other side; and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun.

Exo 17:13 And Joshua discomfited Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword.

Exo 17:14 And the LORD said unto Moses, Write this for a memorial in a book, and rehearse it in the ears of Joshua: for I will utterly put out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven.

Exo 17:15 And Moses built an altar, and called the name of it Jehovahnissi:

Exo 17:16 For he said, Because the LORD hath sworn that the LORD will have war with Amalek from generation to generation.

In the study of "types" there is no better place in the Bible to find this story of Amalek. Just after the "Rock" and the gushing out of the "water".

We can believe that the Rock is in "type" Christ Jesus and the Water is in "type" The Holy Spirit then when they are put together in our lives comes Salvation.

What does Paul say by the Holy Spirit?

Gal 5:16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.

Gal 5:17 {For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh}: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.

We must not be ignorant. This battle with Amalek is in "type" a picture of a Born Again child of God and his battle with his own flesh.

The title Amalek means "warlike".

The Apostle Peter tells us:

1Pe 2:11 Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, [abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul];

What do we know of this Amalek?

Moses said:

Deu 25:17 Remember what Amalek did unto thee by the way, when ye were come forth out of Egypt;

Deu 25:18 How he met thee by the way, and smote the hindmost of thee, even all that were feeble behind thee, when thou wast faint and weary; and [he feared not God].

When did Amalek come to fight against Israel?

When Moses had smitten the Rock twice and the waters were given. Israel was now called on to fight. Now we know Israel had not had to fight in Egypt during their bondage nor at the Red Sea against Pharaoh's army.

Now just after the "type" of the Holy Spirit was given to them warfare commenced.

What do we know?

It is not until a Christian has been Born Again and filled with the Holy Spirit that we will begin our war with "our own flesh".

2Pe 1:4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: [that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust].

Until the Holy Spirit begins to shine His light upon our wicked hearts, we do not realize the power of the evil that lives within us. To be saved we had to realize we were sinners.

Rom 3:10 As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:

Rom 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

That same sin nature is still with us even after we are saved and washed in the blood of Jesus.

To be honest most new Christians will be astounded to discover the tendencies and desires that are within him that he never knew he had.

The lost man is entirely under the dominion of the flesh! He serves his lust and does its will. The FLESH DOES NOT FIGHT ITS SUBJECTS, NO, IT RULES OVER ITS SUBJECTS!

Just as soon as the lost is Born Again the war begins. Remember God does not change people. GOD MAKES A NEW CREATURE!

2Co 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

As we have said, Moses wrote Amelek did not fear God. Galatians 5:17 says: "For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.

1.) What we see is in this passage is that Israel's success was determined by the uplifted hands of Moses.

Exo 17:11 And it came to pass, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed: and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed.

The uplifted hands then symbolized Prayer:

Psa 28:2 Hear the voice of my supplications, when I cry unto thee, when I lift up my hands toward thy holy oracle.

1Ti 2:8 I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.

2.) Moses hands grew heavy.

Luk 18:1 And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;

How sadly we fail in such things even our prayer life.

3.) Moses was not alone.

In "type" Aaron, the head of the Priesthood of Israel represents Our great High Priest Christ Jesus.

Php 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

In "type" Hur, means light which represents the Holy Spirit in which our strength comes.

Rom 8:26 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.

Rom 8:27 And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.

And together:

Rom 8:31 What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?

4.) It is not by prayer alone that we can fight our own flesh.

"And Joshua discomfited Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword"

We have to be washed in the Word of God:

Heb 4:12 [For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword], piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

If we feed our Spiritual side more than our fleshy side we will win these battles!

Rom 6:6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.

Rom 6:7 For he that is dead is freed from sin.

Rom 6:8 Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him:

Rom 6:9 Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him.

Rom 6:10 For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God.

Rom 6:11 Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Paul teaches us this way:

1Co 9:26 I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air:

1Co 9:27 But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.

5.) Amalek was not destroyed.

We will have to battle our flesh until the day God takes us home.

Paul writes again:

Rom 8:13 For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.

Col 3:5 Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:

We must Spiritually put our flesh to death and not allow our flesh to rule our lives!

6.) God warned Israel:

Deu 25:17 Remember what Amalek did unto thee by the way, when ye were come forth out of Egypt;

We should learn from Isaiah:

Isa 40:30 Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall:

Isa 40:31 But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

It is God that sits on the throne!

Remember without Jesus Christ we can do nothing:

Joh 15:5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: [for without me ye can do nothing].

*****Our text Chapter 18:1-27

Mose's Wife:

Exo 18:1 When Jethro, the priest of Midian, Moses' father in law, heard of all that God had done for Moses, and for Israel his people, and that the LORD had brought Israel out of Egypt;

Exo 18:2 Then Jethro, Moses' father in law, took Zipporah, Moses' wife, after he had sent her back,

Exo 18:3 And her two sons; of which the name of the one was Gershom; for he said, I have been an alien in a strange land:

Exo 18:4 And the name of the other was Eliezer; for the God of my father, said he, was mine help, and delivered me from the sword of Pharaoh:

Exo 18:5 And Jethro, Moses' father in law, came with his sons and his wife unto Moses into the wilderness, where he encamped at the mount of God:

Exo 18:6 And he said unto Moses, I thy father in law Jethro am come unto thee, and thy wife, and her two sons with her.

Again in these scriptures we see that the Book of Exodus is not in chronological order but it is in God's order.

In chapter 16 we know that the "Manna" is a type of Christ.

In chapter 17 we know it speaks of the "Cross" of Christ.

In chapter 17 we know that "Amalek" is a type of the believers own battle with his flesh after salvation.

We know this will go on until the "Rapture" of the Church and the end of the Church Age.

In chapter 18 we will see that Zipporah is a type of the return of Israel to the Lord after the Church Age has ended.

So we are not confused, Zipporah has been separated from Moses. As we know Jesus said "I will never leave you nor forsake you". Therefore the Church has never and will never be separated for Our Lord. Therefore this wife of Moses cannot be in "type" the Church!

Zipporah is the figure of Israel, the "Wife" of Jehovah God:

Isa 54:6 For the LORD hath called thee as a woman forsaken and grieved in spirit, and a wife of youth, when thou wast refused, saith thy God.

Jer 31:32 Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake, although [I was an husband unto them, saith the LORD]:

Jer 31:33 But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people.

We know that Israel is now alienated from God during the Church Age:

Hos 2:2 Plead with your mother, plead: for she is not my wife, neither am I her husband: let her therefore put away her whoredoms out of her sight, and her adulteries from between her breasts;

We know that Israel will be restored during the Millennial Kingdom which happens after the Church is called out of this world.

Isa 54:4 Fear not; for thou shalt not be ashamed: neither be thou confounded; for thou shalt not be put to shame: [for thou shalt forget the shame of thy youth, and shalt not remember the reproach of thy widowhood any more].

Isa 54:5 [For thy Maker is thine husband]; the LORD of hosts is his name; and thy Redeemer the Holy One of Israel; The God of the whole earth shall he be called.

Isa 54:6 For the LORD hath called thee as a woman forsaken and grieved in spirit, and a wife of youth, when thou wast refused, saith thy God.

Isa 54:7 [For a small moment have I forsaken thee]; but with great mercies will I gather thee.

Isa 54:8 [In a little wrath I hid my face from thee for a moment] but with everlasting kindness will I have mercy on thee, saith the LORD thy Redeemer.

If we go back to Exodus 4 we find that Zipporah separated from Moses because he was a bloody husband:

Exo 4:25 Then Zipporah took a sharp stone, and cut off the foreskin of her son, and cast it at his feet, and said, Surely a bloody husband art thou to me.

Exo 4:26 So he let him go: then she said, A bloody husband thou art, because of the circumcision.

This in "type" points to the failure of Israel under the Law given to Moses.

This point we need to understand because we need to understand the separation and differences of the return of Christ to Israel at the second coming of Our Lord and the Rapture of the Church when Christ returns to get His Church. This is two separate events on God's calender!

We know that Israel was alienated from God through the offence of the Cross!

BUT THAT SAME BLOOD:

The Blood is the Life-line of the Church!

Paul explains it this way:

1Co 1:22 For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom:

1Co 1:23 [But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock], and unto the Greeks foolishness;

1Co 1:24 But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.

Israel stumbled at the "Blood-shedding". This was the stumbling block to Zipporah!

We can also see that Zipporah bore unto Moses "two" sons. This happen to Joseph and also to Isaac. This in "type" represents the divided kingdom (Judah and Israel) when the "Wife" was succeeded by her two sons.

This has never happened to the Church.

Even the names of those two sons are significant:

1.) Gershom:

Which means "a stranger there". This speaks of the dispersion when Israel was away from her land. This land was not restored until May 14, 1948 and has been a matter of world news ever since.

2.) Eliezer:

Which means "God is my helper". Though Israel has been and still is scattered all around this world God has not forgotten them and He has helped them throughout all these years. Even they know this to be true!

But they will not realize the full truth of it until they have been restored to God and this only after they go through the "tribulation Period of seven years. This will not be a part of the Church which will be in Heaven by this time.

We must also notice that these two sons were not restored to Moses until Moses had become Israel's leader and was by then the "Lawgiver".

Israel can not be restored until their rejected Messiah has returned to Earth as their Lord and King.

In "type' the Mount of God ":

Exo 18:5 And Jethro, Moses' father in law, came with his sons and his wife unto Moses into the wilderness, where he encamped at the mount of God:

speaks of God's Kingdom:

Psa 2:6 Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion.

Isa 2:2 And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the LORD'S house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it.

This is where the Lord will return at His second coming:

Zec 14:4 And his feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem on the east, and the mount of Olives shall cleave in the midst thereof toward the east and toward the west, and there shall be a very great valley; and half of the mountain shall remove toward the north, and half of it toward the south.

Isa 9:6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

Isa 9:7 Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, [upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever]. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.

What we see next to the astonishment of many non-believers is this wife of Moses(Zipporah, in type Israel) was delivered to Moses BY A GENTILE.

Jethro was a Midianite!

This speaks of the Book of Revelation:

Rev 12:14 [And to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place], where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent.

Rev 12:15 And the serpent cast out of his mouth water as a flood after the woman, that he might cause her to be carried away of the flood.

Rev 12:16 And the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed up the flood which the dragon cast out of his mouth.

Isaiah said it like this:

Isa 18:7 In that time shall the present be brought unto the LORD of hosts of a people scattered and peeled, and from a people terrible from their beginning hitherto; a nation meted out and trodden under foot, whose land the rivers have spoiled, to the place of the name of the LORD of hosts, the mount Zion.

Moses became a witness to Jethro of all the things God had done:

*****Exo 18:8 And Moses told his father in law all that the LORD had done unto Pharaoh and to the Egyptians for Israel's sake, and all the travail that had come upon them by the way, and how the LORD delivered them.

This is in type represents the Gentiles of the Millennium who will then learn fully how the Lord had preserved Israel, not only through all these centuries since their dispersion but also through the Tribulation Period.

Rev 21:24 [And the nations of them which are saved] shall walk in the light of it: and the kings of the earth do bring their glory and honour into it.

In the Millennium all hatred of the Jew will be removed:

Mic 4:1 But in the last days it shall come to pass, that the mountain of the house of the LORD shall be established in the top of the mountains, and it shall be exalted above the hills; and people shall flow unto it.

Mic 4:2 And many nations shall come, and say, Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, and to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for the law shall go forth of Zion, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.

Jethro said these words:

Exo 18:11 Now I know that the LORD is greater than all gods: for in the thing wherein they dealt proudly he was above them.

All the people on earth will have this same story at the beginning of the Lords reign on this earth!

Isa 2:3 And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.

Isa 2:4 And he shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.

In the scripture from Exodus 18:13-27 shows us the failures of Moses.

When Moses listened to the words of Jethro without consulting God he was wrong. God had placed Moses in his position and had told Moses that He(God) would travel with Him and tell him what he needed to do in every situation.

Jethro showed no concern for the things of God but thought only of the welfare of Moses:

Exo 18:18 [Thou wilt surely wear away, both thou, and this people that is with thee: for this thing is too heavy for thee]; thou art not able to perform it thyself alone.

Though some people we know try to tell we are working too hard for Christ Jesus and going to Church to often, they are only looking out for our flesh. We must let God look after out flesh. It is He that provides our strength to be about His work.

You know the family and friends of Christ Jesus said the some things of Our Saviour:

Mar 3:20 And the multitude cometh together again, so that they could not so much as eat bread.

Mar 3:21 [And when his friends heard of it, they went out to lay hold on him: for they said, He is beside ]. himself

I am sure glad Jesus did not listen to His friends but continued in the Work of God!

In our own service to God we must mortify our flesh because our flesh is weak:

Rom 8:13 For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.

WE CANNOT SERVE GOD IN OUR FLESH AND NEITHER COULD MOSES!

Even the Apostle Peter confronted Christ Jesus about His "flesh":

Mat 16:21 From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day.

Mat 16:22 Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee.

Mat 16:23 But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.

We can see the rebuke of Our Lord. Moses should have rebuked Jethro also.

We can learn but one lesson in our service to Christ:

Php 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

The world will try its best to hinder the work of the Lord.

Exo 18:19 [Hearken now unto my voice, I will give thee counsel], and God shall be with thee: Be thou for the people to God-ward, that thou mayest bring the causes unto God:

Sounds just like Satan talking to Eve in the Garden.

Exo 18:22 And let them judge the people at all seasons: and it shall be, that every great matter they shall bring unto thee, but every small matter they shall judge: [so shall it be easier for thyself, and they shall bear the burden with thee].

The burden of Our Lord is light because He carried and still carries the heavy portion:

Has God not said?

Isa 41:10 Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.

Did God not say?

Psa 55:22 Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.

This is where we also fail in our service for the Lord. God never intended for us to be so burdened by the work that it would cause our own failure in doing it. That is not the testimony God would show the world of us!

God does not call us to the work because of our own abilities!

GOD CALLS US TO HIS WORK BECAUSE OF HIS POWER AND HIS ABILITIES!

When Moses complained to God, the Lord removed it but the honor of doing the work under God's power was lost to him.

Num 11:16 And the LORD said unto Moses, Gather unto me seventy men of the elders of Israel, whom thou knowest to be the elders of the people, and officers over them; and bring them unto the tabernacle of the congregation, that they may stand there with thee.

Num 11:17 And I will come down and talk with thee there: [and I will take of the spirit which is upon thee, and will put it upon them]; and they shall bear the burden of the people with thee, that thou bear it not thyself alone.

What we need is a daily filling of God's Holy Spirit. We certainly do not want God to take of His Spirit and give it to others!

We should never want to be set aside in the work of the Lord. We should strive to be used of the Lord. He will never ask us to do unreasonable things:

Rom 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, [which is your reasonable service].

We can see that Jethro would not travel with God's People. He did not trust that Moses was going to a better place:

Num 10:29 And Moses said unto Hobab, the son of Raguel the Midianite, Moses' father in law, We are journeying unto the place of which the LORD said, I will give it you: come thou with us, and we will do thee good: for the LORD hath spoken good concerning Israel.

Num 10:30 [And he said unto him, I will not go; but I will depart to mine own land, and to my kindred].

It seems that Jethro(Hobab) like so many others trusted in the things of this world rather than the things of God.

The Bible says:

Psa 18:44 As soon as they hear of me, they shall obey me: the strangers shall submit themselves unto me.

Psa 18:45 The strangers shall fade away, and be afraid out of their close places.

We will see the fulfillment of this when Satan is released after one thousand years to gather an army for his last battle:

Rev 20:7 And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison,

Rev 20:8 And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea.

Rev 20:9 And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them.

To fulfil God's Word we must then be planted like a post in concrete, steadfast and unmovable:

Eph 6:11 Put on the whole armour of God, [that ye may be able to stand] against the wiles of the devil.

Eph 6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

Eph 6:13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, [and having done all, to stand].

AND HAVING DONE ALL, TO STAND!

Let's pray!

Jehovah God Leads His People

It Is Jehovah God That Leads His People

Our Text:

Exodus Chapters 13,14,15

We saw in chapter 12 many things but in 12:41 it plainly states that it was exactly 430 years to the exact day that they had been in Egypt.

Exo 12:41 And it came to pass at the end of the four hundred and thirty years, [even the selfsame day it came to pass], that all the hosts of the LORD went out from the land of Egypt.

This would have been from the time that Jacob (Israel) had taken his family to Egypt. It is by the tender compassion of the Lord God that we are all set free. Israel had a divine appointment as told to Abraham. God had displayed some of His "awesome" power but these things had not released these people from their bondage. It was not until the "Blood of the Lamb" was applied that brought redemption.

Israel was redeemed by the "Blood". They could now travel out of Egypt to the "Promised" land. If we watch the news we see that very same land is a hot topic in our day. Israel only has a portion of the land promised of God.

I believe people, especially Americans are so confused about this nation. Israel lives on a piece of land no bigger than the State of South Carolina where I live and yet there are those that would try to place two nations in this small area. If the Palestinian need a home you would think that the adjacent nations to Israel would move their own boundaries to allow this to happen but this has never really been the concern of these so called Palestinian.

They want what Israel has and nothing will satisfy them. There are really no Palestinian, as Palestine is an area much as North America, or South America or Europe. There has never been a nation called Palestine. Enough said.

Israel was redeemed only by the "Blood". It is by the "Blood" that made them to travel out of Egypt. It is by the "Blood" that comes life:

Deu 12:23 Only be sure that thou eat not the blood: [for the blood is the life]; and thou mayest not eat the life with the flesh.

The "Blood of the Passover Lamb" was given for a substitute for the life of the first born.

When we that believe say we are redeemed it is by the "Blood of Christ Jesus" IT IS TO BELIEVE THAT HIS LIFE WAS A SUBSTITUTE FOR OURS!

The "Blood" of Jesus is sufficient for all! Not one Israelite perished that applied the blood.

When the "Blood of Jesus" is applied not one "Soul" will ever suffer lost!

This plan of "Salvation" was GOD'S IDEA, IT WAS GOD'S PLAN. To question it or try to change it in any way will bring the "Wrath Of God".

Who are we as His Creation to decide spiritual matters that He has already decided upon. To Abraham, God said:

Gen 22:8 And Abraham said, My son, [God will provide "himself" a lamb] for a burnt offering: [so they went both of them together].

We cannot walk with God, WITHOUT THE BLOOD OF THE LAMB!

It was John the Baptist that told the world:

Joh 1:29 The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.

It is through the shed "Blood of Jesus" that God redeems even in our day:

Col 1:14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:

When Jesus suffered and died on that cross He was a substitute for all our sins and not to forget, God's wrath He would have sent to each of us, He sent also to that substitute, Jesus Our Lord, so that we will never see His "Wrath".

THE CHILD OF FAITH WILL NEVER SEE THE WRATH OF GOD!

These are the promises God makes to those that believe and become His "Own" children.

The first section of Exodus focused on God's powerful saving presence. This next section will focus on God's guiding light, His provision for His people, and His protection. This is a "type" of God's redeemed as we travel through life's journey after being "Born Again".

We can now focus on "God's Presence" to those He has redeemed.

*****Our text:

Exo 13:1-22:

Exo 13:21 And the LORD went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud, to lead them the way; and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light; to go by day and night:

Exo 13:22 He took not away the pillar of the cloud by day, nor the pillar of fire by night, from before the people.

What we see is that when God acts in "Grace" toward His people, He thereby lays claim to them! A redeemed people then become the property of God.

To the Church, He says:

1Co 6:19 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?

1Co 6:20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.

And Paul was given these words:

Rom 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

Rom 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

Personal devotion is the first thing which God has a right to look for from His "blood bought" children.

In our journey God tells us:

Eph 4:17 This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, [that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk], in the vanity of their mind,

Eph 4:18 Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart:

We must remember why Christ Jesus even came to this Earth. He had one purpose!

1Ti 1:15 This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, [that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners]; of whom I am chief.

God lead the children of Israel out of Egypt:

Exo 12:51 And it came to pass the selfsame day, that the LORD did bring the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt by their armies.

This was not a disorderly mob running for their lives. God is not the author of confusion. These people came out in an orderly fashion.

Exo 13:18 But God led the people about, through the way of the wilderness of the Red sea: and the children of Israel went up harnessed out of the land of Egypt.

That word "harnessed" means they came out as able bodied soldiers.

There was no weakness in these redeemed of God at this time:

Psa 105:37 He brought them forth also with silver and gold: [and there was not one feeble person among their tribes].

We also know of the bones of Joseph in which we can know the faith of Joseph:

Heb 11:22 By faith Joseph, when he died, made mention of the departing of the children of Israel; and gave commandment concerning his bones.

On the day of the "rapture" of the Church, the bones of all the believers will also make their journey with the redeemed.

In "type" the bones of Joseph bring a deeper meaning as a type of Christ:

2Co 4:9 Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed;

2Co 4:10 [Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body].

2Co 4:11 For we which live are alway delivered unto death for Jesus' sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh.

We might ask, Why did God choose the route they took.

Exo 13:17 And it came to pass, when Pharaoh had let the people go, that God led them not through the way of the land of the Philistines, although that was near; for God said, [Lest peradventure the people repent when they see war, and they return to Egypt]:

Exo 13:18 But God led the people about, through the way of the wilderness of the Red sea: and the children of Israel went up harnessed out of the land of Egypt.

You see there are always those that will war with God's people and God will show us His path to victory if we will only follow!

Psa 103:13 Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him.

Psa 103:14 For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust.

To the Church God says:

Jas 5:11 Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; [that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy].

As we travel in our daily walk with the Lord we need to stay on the path He has chosen for us. That is where we are the safest:

Psa 37:23 The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way.

Psa 37:24 Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth him with his hand.

We are never left alone to choose our own path!

Rom 8:14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.

Rom 8:15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.

God always has a purpose when He chooses our path!

1.) To the children of Israel, He would show His power over all His creation as He would part the Red Sea for them to walk across on dry ground.

1Co 1:22 For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom:

2.) To Pharaoh a "type" of Satan, He would show what happens when evil is in hot pursuit of God's people. Satan will eventually be cast into that "burning lake of fire":

Rev 20:10 And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.

3.) God would take this time to reveal His laws without the distraction of being in the world.

Exo 20:1 And God spake all these words, saying,

Exo 20:2 I am the LORD thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.

Exo 20:3 Thou shalt have no other gods before me.

To the New Testament Church:

2Ti 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

2Ti 3:17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

4.) Israel would be organized into a nation of God fearing people.

Act 7:53 Who have received the law by the disposition of angels, and have not kept it.

To the Church:

2Co 6:17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,

2Co 6:18 And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.

5.) It is when the redeemed are called that they will be:

a.) they will be humbled

b.) they will be tried

c.) they will be proved

This goes for the church also!

God will show His sufficiency to all His children!

And the journey begins:

Exo 13:20 And they took their journey from Succoth, and encamped in Etham, in the edge of the wilderness.

To the Church our journey to Heaven, (The Promised Land), can only begin after we are redeemed by the "blood of Jesus".

Act 16:31 And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.

This "pillar of the cloud" was the visible sign of the Lord's presence with Israel!

This pillar did not change it's form at day or night:

Exo 14:24 And it came to pass, that in the morning watch the LORD looked unto the host of the Egyptians [through the pillar of fire and of the cloud], and troubled the host of the Egyptians,

What do we learn from this?

1.) God's "Cloud" was not given to Israel until they were redeemed.

That cloud is a "type" of the Holy Spirit. To the Church, the saint of God cannot receive the Holy Spirit until they redeemed through that prayer of faith and washed in the "blood of Jesus".

Rom 5:1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:

Rom 5:2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

Rom 5:5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

2.) This "Cloud" was a gift from God to Israel.

To the Church.

Joh 14:16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;

Joh 14:17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.

3.) This "Cloud" was to guide Israel.

To the Church

Rom 8:14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. Rom 8:14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.

4.) This "Cloud" was a light for Israel.

To the Church

Isa 11:1 And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots:

Isa 11:2 And the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of

Isa 11:1 And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots:

Isa 11:2 And the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of the fear of the LORD;

Joh 16:13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.

Joh 16:14 He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you.

Joh 16:15 All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall shew it unto you.

5.) That "Cloud" was for a covering(protection) for Israel.

Remember that wilderness was a desert with a burning sun. They were sheltered from that burning sun. A welcome relief to a slave that had been making brick to be baked by the sun.

To the Church

Eph 4:30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.

6.) God spake to Israel from this "Cloud".

Psa 99:7 He spake unto them in the cloudy pillar: they kept his testimonies, and the ordinance that he gave them.

Psa 99:8 Thou answeredst them, O LORD our God: thou wast a God that forgavest them, though thou tookest vengeance of their inventions.

To the Church

Rev 2:11 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.

Luk 9:34 While he thus spake, there came a cloud, and overshadowed them: and they feared as they entered into the cloud.

Luk 9:35 And there came a voice out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son: hear him.

7.) This same "Cloud" of light to the nation of Israel was a "Cloud" of [darkness] to the Egyptians.

Exo 14:19 And the angel of God, which went before the camp of Israel, removed and went behind them; and the pillar of the cloud went from before their face, and stood behind them:

Exo 14:20 And it came between the camp of the Egyptians and the camp of Israel; and it was a cloud and darkness to them, but it gave light by night to these: so that the one came not near the other all the night.

To the Church

Mat 11:25 At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes.

Joh 14:17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.

8.) The "Cloud" rested on the Tabernacle of God

Exo 40:34 Then a cloud covered the tent of the congregation, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle.

To the Church

Joh 1:14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

Act 2:2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.

Act 2:3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.

Act 2:4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

9.) This "Cloud was not taken away from them in their journey.

Neh 9:19 Yet thou in thy manifold mercies forsookest them not in the wilderness: the pillar of the cloud departed not from them by day, to lead them in the way; neither the pillar of fire by night, to shew them light, and the way wherein they should go.

To the Church

Joh 14:16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;

10.) This "Cloud" will once again descend upon Israel.

Isa 4:5 And the LORD will create upon every dwelling place of mount Zion, and upon her assemblies, a cloud and smoke by day, and the shining of a flaming fire by night: for upon all the glory shall be a defence.

Isa 4:6 And there shall be a tabernacle for a shadow in the daytime from the heat, and for a place of refuge, and for a covert from storm and from rain

This will happen after the Church is in Heaven.

Rom 11:11 I say then, Have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: but rather through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy.

Rom 11:12 Now if the fall of them be the riches of the world, and the diminishing of them the riches of the Gentiles; how much more their fulness?

*****Our Text:

Exodus 14:1-18

Exo 14:13 And Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD, which he will shew to you to day: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen to day, ye shall see them again no more for ever.

Exo 14:14 The LORD shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace.

Exo 14:15 And the LORD said unto Moses, Wherefore criest thou unto me? speak unto the children of Israel, that they go forward:

Exo 14:16 But lift thou up thy rod, and stretch out thine hand over the sea, and divide it: and the children of Israel shall go on dry ground through the midst of the sea.

Exo 14:17 And I, behold, I will harden the hearts of the Egyptians, and they shall follow them: and I will get me honour upon Pharaoh, and upon all his host, upon his chariots, and upon his horsemen.

Exo 14:18 And the Egyptians shall know that I am the LORD, when I have gotten me honour upon Pharaoh, upon his chariots, and upon his horsemen.

It is not so important to know the exact location where Israel had camped. What we should see is that Israel was shut in by the wilderness and the Red Sea was in front of them. To the people of Israel this would have looked like they had been led into a trap with no means of escape. They had no where to flee from the oncoming Egyptian army.

There are those that say "Pihahiroth" means "mouth of water" but what we will see is the greater meaning, "Place of Liberty"! It was in this place that Israel was indeed delivered from those that had held her in bondage for so long.

"Migdol" means "tower or fortress" and we will see that Jehovah God fulfilled this meaning.

When Pharaoh saw the predicament of Israel, he was determined to exact his vengeance on them.

As Israel was shut in by the wilderness so we see our on lives when we have little faith. It is not until we realize how much God loves us that we can obtain the "peace" that comes from our relationship with a Holy God.

Rom 8:6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.

We must be spiritually minded for the truth is:

Rom 16:20 And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.

We are on the winning side and it is good to remember that when trouble is before us.

Pharaoh would see the "Lord of Judgment" who stands between him and God's people. Pharaoh saw easy victims. He was blinded by Satan and had forgotten already that it was God that had taken his son and not Israel.

Pharaoh would see more God than he had ever known:

Zec 2:8 For thus saith the LORD of hosts; After the glory hath he sent me unto the nations which spoiled you: [for he that toucheth you toucheth the apple of his eye].

Terrible as the plagues had been something more, even his own death, would be required to humble this Pharaoh and his arrogant subjects. God would have to remove all fear of Egypt from the thoughts of Israel. The army of Egypt had not been used at any time during the time of the plagues and Pharaoh was confident in the power of his nation.

Sounds a lot like America. I hope our leaders never take a stand fully against God and place our military strength at a level to compare with the "Power of God". The results will always be the same. God does not loose any battles, nor any war!

The sight of this advancing army caused much fear in the children of Israel. In the first trial of their faith these people were failing.

We have only one cure for our fear, we must stay focused on the Lord!

1Pe 1:7 That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:

1Pe 1:8 Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:

1Pe 1:9 Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.

This world is not going to get better:

2Ti 3:12 Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.

2Ti 3:13 But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.

They cried out to the Lord but not in faith and hope but ONLY IN COMPLAINT AND DESPAIR.

Are we not the same. Do we not lay our faith aside and only complain about our problems every day? Why does the Lord love us so much as we are certainly unworthy of such love.

They now confronted Moses. Unbelief will lead us to place the blame on everyone but on our own selves.

Jas 1:23 For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass:

Jas 1:24 For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.

The Lord had promised that they would worship Him and God does not break His promises!

Exo 3:12 And he said, Certainly I will be with thee; and this shall be a token unto thee, that I have sent thee: [When thou hast brought forth the people out of Egypt, ye shall serve God upon this mountain].

It was God that had placed Israel in this predicament. They had been led by that "Pillar of Cloud". We are wrong when we expect our walk with God to be a smooth walk. It rarely is!

What we need to remember is that God will supply our every need in our walk with Him.

Php 4:19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

And He will provide a way of escape:

1Co 10:13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

These are the promises we need to keep our minds on and not the fear of our flesh.

A lesson we see most every time a "lost sinner is saved" is the fact that the "spite of the Devil" will be directed at this saved soul in a form of wrath just as this Pharaoh was seeking his wrath on Israel. Satan hates to loose those he has in bondage and will show his anger toward them. He cannot recapture them but he can and will try to destroy their testimony and show their lack of faith.

We will see here the failure of his efforts.

Rom 8:31 What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?

God will never desert His people!

Our text:

Exo 14:19 And the angel of God, which went before the camp of Israel, removed and went behind them; and the pillar of the cloud went from before their face, and stood behind them:

Exo 14:20 And it came between the camp of the Egyptians and the camp of Israel; and it was a cloud and darkness to them, but it gave light by night to these: so that the one came not near the other all the night.

Exo 14:21 And Moses stretched out his hand over the sea; and the LORD caused the sea to go back by a strong east wind all that night, and made the sea dry land, and the waters were divided.

Exo 14:22 And the children of Israel went into the midst of the sea upon the dry ground: and the waters were a wall unto them on their right hand, and on their left.

Exo 14:23 And the Egyptians pursued, and went in after them to the midst of the sea, even all Pharaoh's horses, his chariots, and his horsemen.

Exo 14:24 And it came to pass, that in the morning watch the LORD looked unto the host of the Egyptians through the pillar of fire and of the cloud, and troubled the host of the Egyptians,

Exo 14:25 And took off their chariot wheels, that they drave them heavily: so that the Egyptians said, Let us flee from the face of Israel; for the LORD fighteth for them against the Egyptians.

Exo 14:26 And the LORD said unto Moses, Stretch out thine hand over the sea, that the waters may come again upon the Egyptians, upon their chariots, and upon their horsemen.

Exo 14:27 And Moses stretched forth his hand over the sea, and the sea returned to his strength when the morning appeared; and the Egyptians fled against it; and the LORD overthrew the Egyptians in the midst of the sea.

Exo 14:28 And the waters returned, and covered the chariots, and the horsemen, and all the host of Pharaoh that came into the sea after them; there remained not so much as one of them.

Exo 14:29 But the children of Israel walked upon dry land in the midst of the sea; and the waters were a wall unto them on their right hand, and on their left.

Exo 14:30 Thus the LORD saved Israel that day out of the hand of the Egyptians; and Israel saw the Egyptians dead upon the sea shore.

Exo 14:31 And Israel saw that great work which the LORD did upon the Egyptians: and the people feared the LORD, and believed the LORD, and his servant Moses.

In the words that God gave to Moses:

"Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD, which he will shew to you to day"

God told Abraham:

"Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward. (Gen 15:1)

God told Joshua:

"Fear not, neither be thou dismayed" (Joshua 8:1)

God told Gideon;

"fear not: thou shalt not die" (Judges 6:23)

God tells all the Jewish remnant in prophecy yet to come:

Isa 35:4 Say to them that are of a fearful heart, Be strong, [fear not]: behold, your God will come with vengeance, even God with a recompence; he will come and save you.

God tells the all those that will see His Kingdom:

Luk 12:32 Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.

God tells all His children:

Psa 23:4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

How can we "fear not"?

Isa 26:3 Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.

Isa 26:4 Trust ye in the LORD for ever: for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength:

THAT'S WHY IT IS CALLED "FAITH".

We must stand still in these times of our demise! Our attempts to help our own self must end! We must "depend" on God to fight these battles!

Unbelief magnifies our problems to the point of allowing them to overwhelm us.

It is "faith" that raises us up above all our problems and straight to God Himself and allows us to standstill!

What we see in the end was:

Heb 11:29 By faith they passed through the Red sea as by dry land: which the Egyptians assaying to do were drowned.

It is "faith" that will win our battles in the end!

"Faith" is not what we see with our own eyes, "faith is what we see spiritually".

Heb 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

What we realize is that we cannot "go forward" in the Lord until we have first "stood still" in the Lord.

When Moses lifted up that "rod of God" this time there would take place a miracle beyond belief right before the eyes of Israel and soon Egypt.

The waters of the Red Sea did not begin to divide until the feet of God's children were on the very edge. Those waters did not part until it looked like they were going to get wet.

Their "faith" could not come by sight and neither can our faith come from what we see!

When those on the front stepped forward into the water, their feet touched only dry ground. Those waters parted as they took each step!

The Bible says:

Psa 106:7 Our fathers understood not thy wonders in Egypt; they remembered not the multitude of thy mercies; but provoked him at the sea, even at the Red sea.

Psa 106:8 Nevertheless he saved them for his name's sake, that he might make his mighty power to be known.

Psa 106:9 He rebuked the Red sea also, and it was dried up: so he led them through the depths, as through the wilderness.

Psa 106:10 And he saved them from the hand of him that hated them, and redeemed them from the hand of the enemy.

Psa 106:11 And the waters covered their enemies: there was not one of them left.

Though the Egyptians pursued God would not allow them too. Again the "rod of God" closed the Sea upon the Egyptians and they all drowned.

"there remained not so much as one of them"

Those that attempt to do without faith, what a believer can do with faith will surely fail.

Joh 17:17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.

Joh 17:18 As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world.

Joh 17:19 And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth.

Joh 17:20 Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word;

Those that try to obtain Holiness without believing will not become Holy in the eyes of God. God simply will not allow it!

In "type" the crossing of the Red Sea is as Christ making a way through death for His people. The Red Sea is a picture of "death". Moses lifting up the "Rod of God" is a "type" of Christ. Death(Red Sea) completely destroyed Pharaoh and his subjects.

Heb 2:14 Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; [that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil];

To Israel "death" became the deliverer. Death held no power over them. Death became their friend.

Spiritually we can see that when "death" over takes the believer before the return of Christ, that "death" will only bring that soul into the presence of Christ.

1Co 3:21 Therefore let no man glory in men. For all things are yours;

1Co 3:22 Whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, [or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come]; all are yours;

1Co 3:23 And ye are Christ's; and Christ is God's.

But sadly:

For the lost soul to meet death in the power of the flesh it is certain destruction!

The deliverance of Israel from the Red Sea illustrates to us the SUFFICIENCY OF GOD!

Isa 43:2 When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.

*****Our text:

Chapter 15:

This chapter records the first song recorded in the Bible. Long before any other song the Israelites were singing of that great day they passed through the Red Sea on dry ground. It is therefore a song of redemption.

To Israel:

Hos 13:14 I will ransom them from the power of the grave; I will redeem them from death: O death, I will be thy plagues; O grave, I will be thy destruction: repentance shall be hid from mine eyes.

Jer 31:11 For the LORD hath redeemed Jacob, and ransomed him from the hand of him that was stronger than he.

To the Church:

If "ransoming" is the payment of the price of "redemption" then it is deliverance of those persons for who the price was paid.

1Ti 2:5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;

1Ti 2:6 Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.

We already have our down payment:

Eph 1:14 Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.

Only a redeemed people can offer up "praise" to Our Lord.

When Moses memorialized this incident with song it was to insure that this event was never to be forgotten.

God cannot be our strength until He is first "Our Salvation"!

Two things we will learn as Christians after salvation is:

1.) There will be some wilderness training!

God has to remove all pride so we can be humbled.

Rom 7:18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.

Rom 7:19 For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.

Rom 7:20 Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.

Rom 7:21 I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me.

Rom 7:22 For I delight in the law of God after the inward man:

Rom 7:23 But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.

Rom 7:24 O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?

2Co 12:21 And lest, when I come again, my God will humble me among you, and that I shall bewail many which have sinned already, and have not repented of the uncleanness and fornication and lasciviousness which they have committed.

Jas 4:6 But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.

Jas 4:10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.

2.) When we are in this wilderness, God will walk with us step by step.

Jas 5:11 Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy.

Christ knew what it was to suffer and though we may suffer as He did, He will be with us at all times.

Heb 13:5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

Heb 13:6 So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.

God led His people through the wilderness to prove them:

Deu 8:2 And thou shalt remember all the way which the LORD thy God led thee these forty years in the wilderness, to humble thee, and to prove thee, to know what was in thine heart, whether thou wouldest keep his commandments, or no.

To "prove" simply means God wants us to find out if we are sincere in our own hearts toward Him for He already knows. If we are sincere we will humble ourselves before Him!

What we see in "type" was as the children of Israel passed through the Red Sea they came out on resurrection ground. Their journey through the Red Sea is a "type" of a believer's union with Jesus Christ through His death and resurrection.

Rom 6:3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?

Rom 6:4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

It is on "Resurrection" ground where we as believers become that "New Creature". Therefore the world no longer has anything to offer us.

That old wilderness will be left behind as we walk in our new "Spiritual Life".

Those that cannot see the light of Jesus will make their homes in that wilderness of this world till they die.

"Faith" is the key that makes the difference in how we see our world.

The saved of God know this is not our home:

Heb 11:10 [For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God].

Heb 11:13 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and [confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth].

*****Exo 15:22 So Moses brought Israel from the Red sea, and they went out into the wilderness of Shur; and [they went three days in the wilderness, and found no water].

We will find that there is nothing on this earth that can minister to our "New Life" in the Lord Jesus. We find out our old life and it's companions are now distasteful and unsatisfying. We will realize that sin only brought joy for a season.

Heb 11:25 Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, [than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season];

Nothing on this earth can quench the thirsty soul of God's children:

Psa 63:1 O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is;

Psa 63:2 To see thy power and thy glory, so as I have seen thee in the sanctuary.

Psa 63:3 Because thy lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise thee.

Jesus only can say:

Joh 7:37 In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, [If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink].

*****Exo 15:23 And when they came to Marah, they could not drink of the waters of Marah, for they were bitter: therefore the name of it was called Marah.

As a child of God the things of this world become bitter and and we yearn for home:

Php 1:21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

Php 1:22 But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labour: yet what I shall choose I wot not.

Php 1:23 For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better:

Php 1:24 Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you.

It is then we should realize that we have a purpose. God left us on this earth for a reason. If we expect a peaceful life out of contact with this world, then that wilderness will teach us the truth. It will not be easy to be a Christian. We must start out and remain with the right point of view!

*****Exo 15:24 And the people murmured against Moses, saying, What shall we drink?

Three days before this day Israel was praising God for His salvation. They now offer up something entirely different.

We must not forget that there is a reason for everything God does and He does all things for the "Right Reason".

Eph 1:11 In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him [who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will]:

Eph 1:12 That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.

This journey of Israel was written for us to learn by and this time is most important:

1Co 10:11 Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.

1Co 10:12 Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.

*****Exo 15:25 And he(Moses) cried unto the LORD; and the LORD shewed him a tree, which when he had cast into the waters, the waters were made sweet: there he made for them a statute and an ordinance, and there he proved them,

You know many think that they should take every little problem to their Pastor or Preacher so he can pray to the Lord for them and he will.

But through the cross, the vail was torn down that we all can and should pray ourselves for what ails us. This is to great a privilege for us to ignore.

God gave us His Word, the Bible, as a love letter to tell us how He will meet our needs. He gave us His "OPEN EAR" that we can tell Him of our Love for Him and also what needs we have. He already knows, so He wants to hear from us, He wants to hear our voices calling out to Him!

The Bible says:

Psa 103:10 [He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities].

Psa 103:11 For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him.

Psa 103:12 As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.

Psa 103:13 Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him.

Psa 103:14 For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust.

It is because of Jesus we have this privilege:

Heb 7:25 Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.

It is Jesus that paid for this privilege to contact our Father in Heaven:

1Jn 2:1 My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:

1Jn 2:2 And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.

Why do we not take advantage of this and PRAY? We have only one rule for prayer:

1Th 5:17 Pray without ceasing.

What did God show to Moses?

A TREE!

How could we miss this "type" of Christ?

The very first Psalm should be our song too:

Psa 1:1 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.

Psa 1:2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.

Psa 1:3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.

Psa 1:4 The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away.

Psa 1:5 Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.

Psa 1:6 For the LORD knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish.

It is this "tree" that is a "type" of Christ:

1Pe 2:24 Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.

This is the tree(the Cross) that makes the bitterness of this world so sweet to all that believe on the Lord Jesus Christ!

Php 3:9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:

Php 3:10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;

If we suffer with Him:

2Ti 2:11 It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him:

2Ti 2:12 If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us:

2Ti 2:13 If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself.

*****Exo 15:26 And said, If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the LORD thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the LORD that healeth thee.

Exo 15:27 And they came to Elim, where were twelve wells of water, and threescore and ten palm trees: and they encamped there by the waters.

The Promise!

(IF)

Now that Israel was redeemed then they were expected to obey the Word Of God!

Grace abounds but "Grace is not lawlessness"!

Rom 5: Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God "through" our Lord Jesus Christ:

There is peace "through" Jesus!

The keeping of God's commandments have nothing to do with our salvation!

BUT WE NEED GOD'S COMMANDMENTS SO WE WILL KNOW HOW TO WALK IN HIS WAYS!

If we fail to be obedient to God's Word, HE WILL CHASETISE US!

"I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the LORD that healeth thee"

GOD WOULD NOT HAVE HAD TO HEAL IF HE HAD NOT HAD TO BRING THAT HEAVENLY HICKORY(plagues,diseases)

The we see that:

1.) The bitter waters of Marah.

2.) The "tree" that healed those waters.

3.) Now the wells of pure water and the palm trees for shade and refreshment.

Rev 22:2 In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.

We will be in this land of peace one day and soon is the key word but we must know that if we do not come through the Cross on Golgotha's hill we will never drink of that pure water!

Heb 10:22 Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.

Let's Pray!