2/3/20
Many churches throughout the world use a Bible reading schedule called a "lectionary." It's just a fancy word meaning "selected readings." Posts like this reflect on the readings for an upcoming Sunday or other Church holiday, as found in the historic one-year lectionary.
Water is life. We all know that, at least on one level, but until we are faced with thirst and no way to quench it, we don’t really think about it much. In Exodus 17, the people of Israel were taking it very seriously. They had followed Moses into the wilderness based on a promise of rescue from slavery. They had their families, including children, as well as their livestock. All would die given only a few days away from water. And they were a large nation. It would take a lot of water.
What should Moses do? Doubtless, like any person who has been in an arid place for long, he was looking around for a river or an oiasis. That’s just common sense. But when there is nothing to be found, he calls out to God for divine provision. After all, God had called his people out of bondage. He said they would make it to the land of promise. Since no water was visible, if God wanted his people to reach Canaan, he would need to do something. So Moses calls out to God.
In the place of quarreling, God provided water for His people. He brought it from a rock, having commanded Moses to strike the rock. He showed himself to his people.
I would like to make two quick observations. First, God keeps His promises. He told Israel they would reach Canaan. He made it happen. The desert was not able to stop God’s will. If God says he will rescue you or me from sin, death, and destruction, he can do so. Second, God appointed the means to rescue his people. He told Moses what to do. Moses acted according to God’s command. We do noht have the option of making our own way of salvation. We trust God’s word and the way He has appointed. This is our great hope.
God rescued Israel. He can also rescue us. He knows exactly what to do.
If this brief meditation was helpful to you, I hope you will check out the other materials on our website at www.WittenbergCoMo.com and consider supporting us.
Many churches throughout the world use a Bible reading schedule called a "lectionary." It's just a fancy word meaning "selected readings." Posts like this reflect on the readings for an upcoming Sunday or other Church holiday, as found in the historic one-year lectionary.
Water is life. We all know that, at least on one level, but until we are faced with thirst and no way to quench it, we don’t really think about it much. In Exodus 17, the people of Israel were taking it very seriously. They had followed Moses into the wilderness based on a promise of rescue from slavery. They had their families, including children, as well as their livestock. All would die given only a few days away from water. And they were a large nation. It would take a lot of water.
What should Moses do? Doubtless, like any person who has been in an arid place for long, he was looking around for a river or an oiasis. That’s just common sense. But when there is nothing to be found, he calls out to God for divine provision. After all, God had called his people out of bondage. He said they would make it to the land of promise. Since no water was visible, if God wanted his people to reach Canaan, he would need to do something. So Moses calls out to God.
In the place of quarreling, God provided water for His people. He brought it from a rock, having commanded Moses to strike the rock. He showed himself to his people.
I would like to make two quick observations. First, God keeps His promises. He told Israel they would reach Canaan. He made it happen. The desert was not able to stop God’s will. If God says he will rescue you or me from sin, death, and destruction, he can do so. Second, God appointed the means to rescue his people. He told Moses what to do. Moses acted according to God’s command. We do noht have the option of making our own way of salvation. We trust God’s word and the way He has appointed. This is our great hope.
God rescued Israel. He can also rescue us. He knows exactly what to do.
If this brief meditation was helpful to you, I hope you will check out the other materials on our website at www.WittenbergCoMo.com and consider supporting us.
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