If you have been following this series of blogs on God’s Promises, you may have noticed that I occasionally remind us that the particular story we are currently studying must be viewed in the larger context of what God is doing. Each story is a small piece of the much larger story. Additionally, we are to “read between the lines” of what is happening, to consider what is being told about God, the Author of the story.
Each story we have considered, including the one today, is related to God’s promise to bring our Savior, Jesus, into the world through Israel, His chosen people. That’s the big picture.
What are some of the things these stories have told us about who God is, what He is like? Think about Adam and Eve, Noah and his family, Abraham and Sarah, Isaac and Rebecca, Jacob and Rachel, Joseph and his brothers, and Moses. What characteristics about God come to mind when you think about how He relates to them? How about Creator, provider, compassionate, judge, righteous, and planner? Would you also add ” patient” to the list? I certainly would, because His patience is a very prominent aspect in most of the stories we have covered.
Today’s story is a wonderful example of how patient God is when it comes to accomplishing His plan and promise. Patience is the ability to bear pain or trials without giving up, to exercise self-control in threatening situations, or to remain steadfast and unmovable in the face of opposition.
I have chosen two incidents in Exodus, chapters 15 and 16, to underscore this merciful aspect of God’s character.
Chapter 15 opens with Moses and the Israelites praising God for his great act of deliverance from the Egyptians. Approximately 600,000 men, plus women and children, have walked on dry ground on the Red Sea riverbed to freedom on the other side, and watched in awe as Pharaoh and his army perish as the great walls of water close over them.
They are free, safe from the threat of being enslaved again under this evil ruler. You would think that after such a miraculous deliverance, the Israelites would be humble and trusting, but that is not what happened. After three days of travel from the Red Sea experience, they test God’s patience.
“Then Moses led 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. And when they came to Marah, they could not drink the waters of Marah, for they were bitter; therefore, it was named Marah. So the people grumbled at Moses, saying, ‘ What shall we drink?'” Exodus 15:22-24.
Understandably, the people would be very thirsty after a three-day trek in the wilderness, but why the “grumbling?” Three days ago, God parted the waters of the sea so they could walk through on dry ground. Complaining indicates a lack of appreciation for and trust in God’s provision.
How does God respond to their grumbling? A bolt of lightning? Boils or leprosy? Killing their firstborn? None of that; He tells Moses what to do to sweeten the bitter water, and later brings them to a place with twelve springs and seventy date palm trees. Exodus 15:25-27.
There is no indication of anger or judgment—only compassion and patience. What does this story imply about how God has dealt with you? Have there been times when you have grumbled against God, acted foolishly, and ungratefully? Has God been patient with you?
The second instance where Israel tests God’s patience is found in Exodus, chapter 16. Moses and the Israelites have been gone from Egypt for about six weeks. They are out of Egypt, but Egypt is not out of them. Remember, God has performed miracles to convince Pharaoh to let them go, parted the Red Sea, and provided an abundance of water for them to drink, but they continue to distrust that God will provide for them. Here is their complaint to Moses and Aaron:
“And the sons of Israel said to them, ‘Would that we had died by the Lord’s hand in the land of Egypt, when we sat by pots of meat, when we ate bread to the full; for you have brought us out into this wilderness to kill this whole assembly with hunger.”‘ Exodus 16:3.
The people complained to Moses and Aaron, but God was also listening to them. How did He respond to this second act of distrust? Again, no sign of indignation, no consuming fire, no punishment. Just mercy and provision.
“Then the Lord said to Moses, ‘Behold, I will rain bread from heaven for you; and the people shall go out and gather a day’s portion every day, that I may test them, whether or not they will walk in my instructions.”‘ Exodus 16:4.
The remainder of Chapter 16 provides details on how the Israelites are to follow God’s instructions. Why is God so patient with them? Like a loving parent, He wants them to learn to obey in small things, so that they will be prepared to trust and obey Him when they are confronted with greater challenges. The last verse of Exodus 16 says:
“And the sons of Israel ate the manna for forty years,… until they came to the border of the land of Canaan.” Exodus 16:35
When you look back at some of your experiences, some of the terrible mistakes you have made, your rebellion, and acts of disobedience, do you sometimes wonder why God hasn’t given up on you? Frankly, I’m amazed at the patience God has had with me. Why has He treated me so kindly, with such patience? Because He loves me, and is teaching me how to trust and obey Him.
If you are honest and sensitive to God’s Spirit, you will agree that He has done and continues to do the same for you. Thank you, Lord, for being so patient with all of us!
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