Last week, in our study God freed the Israelite from slavery, much like He frees us from the bondage of sin. He established the Passover, a reminder to the people of His salvation and a picture of the greatest salvation to come in Jesus Christ. Then, He parted the Red Sea presenting a spectacular exodus for the people. Within 45 days they murmured about food and water, both of which God miraculously supplied. They had many lessons to learn about in the desert—lessons of faith and hope. As Christians we too often only learn faith and hope lessons when walking through the desert with God. There are moments we do not understand, much as the Israelite. Yet, it is amid the sorrows and difficulties we truly come to know who God is in all His wondrous Glory.
Well, as we saw last week, they came face to face with God at Mount Sinai. He was there on the mountain with thunder and lightning. He spoke the 10 commandments to the people directly where all could hear. They then asked, He continue His communication through Moses and promised to do all He commanded. Moses gave them the next set of commands and once more they covenanted to do all that God would ask.
In return God promised to guide, protect, and lead them to the promised land. Still, they needed to learn, God had spoken with truth as to what would be the best for their life when He spoke the 10 commandments. They thought on their own strength, they would follow all He said. However, while Moses was gone, the very next thing they did was break them all by building the Golden Calf and worshiping in a pagan manner.
Lesson #1 Concerning Faith and Hope in the Desert
Our hearts are evil and come up with evil plans always, unless we keep our eyes on God. With that we have very short memories from which the slightest distraction can throw us off course. Therefore, we must be reminded daily of who He Truly IS.
Many died because of their hardened heart; but God forgave all those who truly repented. A makeshift tabernacle was formed out of a tent where Moses could meet with God.
everyone who sought the Lord would go out to the tent of meeting which was outside the camp. 8 And it came about, whenever Moses went out to the tent, that all the people would arise and stand, each at the entrance of his tent, and gaze after Moses until he entered the tent. 9 Whenever Moses entered the tent, the pillar of cloud would descend and stand at the entrance of the tent; and [e]the Lord would speak with Moses. 10 When all the people saw the pillar of cloud standing at the entrance of the tent, all the people would arise and worship, each at the entrance of his tent. 11 Thus the Lord used to speak to Moses face to face, just as a man speaks to his friend. Exodus 33:7-11 (NASB1995)
A Humble Servant Recognizes His Need of God
Moses with total humility asked to know God more. He asked that God would lead Him and the people.
12 Then Moses said to the Lord, “See, You say to me, ‘Bring up this people!’ But You Yourself have not let me know whom You will send with me. Moreover, You have said, ‘I have known you by name, and you have also found favor in My sight.’ 13 Now therefore, I pray You, if I have found favor in Your sight, let me know Your ways that I may know You, so that I may find favor in Your sight. Consider too, that this nation is Your people.” 14 And He said, “My presence shall go with you, and I will give you rest.” 15 Then he said to Him, “If Your presence does not go with us, do not lead us up from here. (Exodus 33: 12-15).
Lesson 2 Concerning Faith and Hope in the Desert with God
We desperately need God to guide us. Which, He always will when we humbly ask. First, we must recognize our need before we can ask. God gave Moses the opportunity to be hidden in the cleft of a rock as God shows Him a glimpse of His glory in a way deeper than all the times before. Then God spoke as He passed by Moses.
5 The Lord descended in the cloud and stood there with him as he called upon the name of the Lord. 6 Then the Lord passed by in front of him and proclaimed, “The Lord, the Lord God, compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in lovingkindness and ]truth; 7 who keeps lovingkindness for thousands, who forgives iniquity, transgression and sin; yet He will by no means leave the guilty unpunished, visiting the iniquity of fathers on the children and on the grandchildren to the third and fourth generations.” Exodus 34:5-8 (NASB1995).
Moses again interceded for the people as He had all along the way. God proceeds to once more declare His covenant; but reminds Moses to tell the people of their obligations. Once more God wrote the 10 commandments on stones with His own hands.
Then all are given the tasks of building the tabernacle as a place for God to dwell and to go with the people. Every detail had to be met as every detail symbolized God’s masterful beauty. After all, He had designed the intricate details of life. He is a God of masterful, intricate detail.
Lesson 3 Concerning Faith and Hope in the Desert with God
Every detail in our life is directed by God. Our very hairs are numbered. No tear is wasted. Even our failures He masterfully weaves into the finished product of our lives. As David sang:
Even the darkness is not dark to You,
And the night is as bright as the day.
Darkness and light are alike to You.
13 For You formed myinward parts;
You wove me in my mother’s womb.
14 I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
Wonderful are Your works,
And my soul knows it very well. Psalm 139:12-14
Once all was made, they began the journey.
34 Then the cloud covered the tent of meeting, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle. 35 Moses was not able to enter the tent of meeting because the cloud had settled on it, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle. 36 Throughout all their journeys whenever the cloud was taken up from over the tabernacle, the sons of Israel would set out; 37 but if the cloud was not taken up, then they did not set out until the day when it was taken up. 38 For throughout all their journeys, the cloud of the Lord was on the tabernacle by day, and there was fire in it by night, in the sight of all the house of Israel. Exodus 40:34-38 NASB
Lesson 4 Concerning Faith and Hope in the Desert with God
Do not move unless God says move. That is true of everything we do in life.
5 Lead me in Your truth and teach me,
For You are the God of my salvation;
For You I wait all the day.
8 Good and upright is the Lord;
Therefore He instructs sinners in the way.
9 He leads the humble in justice,
And He teaches the humble His way.
10 All the paths of the Lord are lovingkindness and truth
To those who keep His covenant and His testimonies.
11 For Your name’s sake, O Lord,
Pardon my iniquity, for it is great….
16 Turn to me and be gracious to me,
For I am lonely and afflicted.
17 The troubles of my heart are enlarged;
Bring me out of my distresses.
18 Look upon my affliction and my trouble,
And forgive all my sins.
19 Look upon my enemies, for they are many,
And they hate me with violent hatred.
20 Guard my soul and deliver me;
Do not let me be ashamed, for I take refuge in You.
21 Let integrity and uprightness preserve me,
For I wait for You.
After the tabernacle was ready, God set up a orderly positioning of all the tribes. An organized system was established so they could move quickly when God said march onward and rest when God said rest.
Lesson 5 Concerning Faith and Hope in the Desert with God
God does not author confusion in our heads. We do. Therefore when things are chaotic: Stop, take a deep breath, and focus on Him.
God is not a God of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints. I Corinthians 14:33 (NASB1995)
10 “Be still, and know that I am God.
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth!”
11 The Lord of hosts is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress. Psalms46 (NASB1995)
No sooner did it look like everything was finally organized and the people following all that God said, but chaos broke out again.
Now the people became like those who complain of adversity in the hearing of the Lord; and when the Lord heard it, His anger was kindled, and the fire of the Lord burned among them and consumed some of the outskirts of the camp. 2 The people therefore cried out to Moses, and Moses prayed to the Lord and the fire died out. 3 So the name of that place was called Taberah, because the fire of the Lord burned among them. Numbers 11: 1-3
Lesson 6 Concerning Faith and Hope in the Desert with God
A little seed of discontent can grow like a consuming fire in our hearts and minds. Therefore take care to pull the weeds before they sprout.
Did you ever do that? Some little thing grows to a mountain in moments of time and destroys all the good will and kindness you had previously known. The slightest seed of discontent becomes bitterness, frustration and sorrow. Joy, hope, and faith are hard to find there.
Well, the initial discontent grew into a rebellion over wanting meat.
4 The rabble who were among them had greedy desires; and also the sons of Israel wept again and said, “Who will give us meat to eat? 5 We remember the fish which we used to eat free in Egypt, the cucumbers and the melons and the leeks and the onions and the garlic, 6 but now our appetite is gone. There is nothing at all to look at except this manna.” Numbers 11:4-6
Lesson 7 Concerning Faith and Hope in the Desert with God
Be careful what you ask for, God might just give it to you.
So, the people wanted meat. They did not trust that God was giving the best. The Manna provided everything they needed to live and flourish in the desert. So, God sent them quail. However, meat is not well suited for desert travelers. A horrible plague killed the greediest of the people.
Remember faith is knowing God IS and He rewards those who diligently seek Him. Therefore, He sends us His best. We have nothing to complain about.
Final Thoughts:
As we travel through the deserts in life, let us keep our focus on the God. He knows what is best. We can either fall prey to all the hazards we face or we can seek to see God’s hand in every twist and turn. We can learn to trust Him, realizing as Paul wrote:
5 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
3 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;
4 And patience, experience; and experience, hope:
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. Romans 5:1-5 (KJV)
Next week we will continue our journey through the desert to discover what more lessons we can learn to equip us on our way.
DO YOU KNOW CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR AND LORD? He is our only Hope in Life and Death! Our Joy is found in Him.
Therefore if you don’t know Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord: I urge you today. Go to my page titled How to Be Saved by clicking on this link. There is nothing more important than this; because He is the way, the truth and the life. Therefore, I urge you to seek Him today.
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DISCLOSURES
©Effie Darlene Barba, 2023
Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. Furthermore, I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned except for my own books. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.
Credits
New King James Version (NKJV)
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
New Living Translation (NLT)
Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
[1] New American Standard Bible 1995 (NASB1995)New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. All rights reserved.
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