Exodus: A Group StudyUzorak

What is this passage saying?

On the heels of their victorious triumph over Egypt, the Israelites face a far greater enemy in the wilderness: their faithlessness. Without food or water, grumbling and complaining well up in the Israelites. Despite their doubt, Yahweh provides for His people.

What is this passage teaching?

Just three days after they crossed the Red Sea, Israel began complaining of their lack of food and water in the wilderness. While it may be easy to judge Israel for its faithlessness, it is not absurd to believe that panic and doubt may set in when millions of people are faced with a lack of food and water in the barren wilderness. As Yahweh supplies both water and food, He is beckoning his people to trust Him and rely on his good providence to supply their needs.

How do I respond?

A humbling reality in the book of Exodus is that we are more like Israel than we might care to admit. The fickleness of the human heart will see God do incredible things in one season and then immediately doubt His goodness and faithfulness in the next. The truth is, complaining and grumbling arise when God’s providence over your life is forgotten. While Israel was in a particularly difficult position – food and water are not luxuries, they are necessities to live – their response was rooted in a faithless heart. Where in your life have grumbling and complaining arisen? Where do you lack contentment in God’s present provision or faith in His future provision? Take some time today to repent of a faithless heart and pray for God to increase your trust in Him. God will provide for every one of your needs, all you need to do is trust Him.