Exodus 16-18

I want to focus on three distinct moments in these chapters. There are several moments of promise and several moments of the miraculous but three moments of miraculous that are accompanied by a specific promise and a command of remembrance.

First, in chapter 15, verses 22-27, we find where they came to a place where the water was bitter until God revealed a piece of wood that was subsequently thrown into the water making it sweet. There is the miracle. Then comes the promise. That if they would carefully listen to the voice of God and do what is right in His eyes, pay attention to His commands and keep His decrees, they would not experience the diseased inflicted upon the Egyptians. I don’t believe that this is God promising an illness free existence to the obedient but rather obedience is the plan of avoidance of God’s judgment. Remember, the sicknesses referenced here are the plagues visited upon Egypt because of their rebellious hearts. Not that we won’t make mistakes as devoted followers of Christ but there is a vast difference between mistakes and being characterized by a rebellious heart. Plagueless living is His promise…His commands sweeten life! And God wanted every generation to follow was to remember this.

Second, in chapter 16, we have the beautiful story of the manna, which in Hebrew literally translates, “What is it?” That’s an Abbot and Costello routine for you, “What’s for dinner?” “What is it?” “That’s what I said, what’s for dinner?” “I know, what is it?” “What?” “What?” “What?” I love how the manna did not spoil on the seventh day like it did every other day if the people gathered more than they needed for daily consumption, and how there was no manna to be found on the seventh day, only the six days prior. And not that one miracle isn’t awe inspiring enough but this miraculous schedule of events was repeated without exception for 40 years! The promise was that God was their sustainer. A measure of the “What is it?” was to be gathered and kept in a jar. Provision living is His promise…His commands sustain life! And every generation to follow was to remember this.

Third, in chapter 17, verses 8-15, we find the famous story of Aaron and Hur holding up the hand of Moses while Joshua led their army in their first battle and their first victory. If Moses hands fell, the battle swung in favor of the Amalekites who were descendants of Esau, signs of the dispute between Jacob and Esau tracking through to successive generations, and if Moses hands remained raised, the battled turned to Joshua and the Israelites, the descendants of Jacob. After the battle was ultimately victorious for the Israelites, an altar of remembrance was built to remind the people that God would forever resist the Amalekites attempt to conquer Israel. The lesson for us is in looking to Ephesians 6 where Paul reminds us that our battle is not against flesh and blood but against powers and principalities on high. We must never forget that natural realm victories are still spirit realm battles. Victorious (sorry my “p” alliteration efforts cam up short!) living is His promise…His commands secure life!

Pastor Fred