Hello My Friend/Guest,

It is Tuesday January 22, 2008 and today we are continuing our studies on the book of Exodus. Please read Exodus 14-16. In today's lesson we will read and learn about the Crossing the Red Sea; the song of Moses; the waters of Marah; murmurings; manna and quail,

The will of God was clearly revealed to the Israelites in Egypt as God was in the process of fulfilling His promise to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Finally the Israelites were freed from Egypt, however Pharoh went after them. They had traveled only a short distance when they saw all the chariots of Pharaoh's army rushing toward them in a desperate effort to recover his slaves. "And the LORD hardened the heart of Pharaoh king of Egypt, and he pursued after the children of Israel: and the children of Israel went out with an high hand. But the Egyptians pursued after them, all the horses and chariots of Pharaoh, and his horsemen, and his army, and overtook them encamping by the sea, beside Pihahiroth, before Baalzephon. And when Pharaoh drew nigh, the children of Israel lifted up their eyes, and, behold, the Egyptians marched after them; and they were sore afraid: and the children of Israel cried out unto the LORD." (Exodus 14:8-10).

But when the Israelites cried out to the LORD, it was not in faith, but in fear, hostility, and criticism toward Moses. "And they said unto Moses, Because there were no graves in Egypt, hast thou taken us away to die in the wilderness? wherefore hast thou dealt thus with us, to carry us forth out of Egypt? Is not this the word that we did tell thee in Egypt, saying, Let us alone, that we may serve the Egyptians? For it had been better for us to serve the Egyptians, than that we should die in the wilderness. 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. The LORD shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace. " (14:11-14).

God miraculously met their need, He caused the Red Sea to be divided which allowed them to escape to the other side of the land and when the chariots chased after them the sea collapsed and all the men and horses drowned. "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: 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. 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. 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. 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.

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. 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. 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. 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. Thus the LORD saved Israel that day out of the hand of the Egyptians; and Israel saw the Egyptians dead upon the sea shore." (14:19-23, 26-30).

What joy and excitement filled the camp at the news that refreshing water was discovered! Then the song of Moses was sung to celebrate the miraculous deliverance from Egypt and to anticipate reaching the promised land. (15:1-19). However that did not last long, once again, the people complained against Moses, exposing their lack of faith. "And the whole congregation of the children of Israel murmured against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness: 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. 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 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.

And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, I have heard the murmurings of the children of Israel: speak unto them, saying, At even ye shall eat flesh, and in the morning ye shall be filled with bread; and ye shall know that I am the LORD your God. 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. 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. 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." (16:2-5,11-15). Although God had clearly revealed His will to lead them to the promised land, they continually expressed their unbelief. Their faith in God's Word never went beyond the next obstacle.

The Lord still leads His faithful children through circumstances of apparent defeat through which they learn the uselessness of human reasoning and how to wait upon Him for further direction. Your disappointments are God's appointments for His blessing. As soon as the child of God is persuaded of God's will opposition will arise, often wholly unexpected. Satan, the enemy of man's soul, will attempt to prevent the accomplishment of God's will. However, in times of uncertainty, we need to seek the Lord's guidance rather than depending upon our own changing emotions or the uncertain circumstances around us.

In today's lesson Jesus Christ is revealed through the bread (manna) falling from heaven (Exodus 16:15). Jesus said: I am the Living Bread Who came down from heaven. (John 6:51)

Today's Psalm: (37:3)
 "Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed."

Today's Prayer:
Dear Lord,
Thank you for blessing me with a new day and thank you for the many blessings you have given me so far today. Lord, thank you for being such a gracious God. Forgive us of our sins, Father. Jesus, wash us white as snow. Thank you for your mercy and grace upon us, no matter what we do You love us and never forsake us.Help us to daily turn away from the ways of this world, our own ways, and turn toward you and your ways. In Jesus' name, I pray.....Amen.

Have a wonderful day/night and may your day be filled with an abundance of unexpected blessings.
God Bless you,
Christina

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