Bible in 365 Days

Exodus 16-18 

Exodus 16

From Elim the people moved into the dreariness of the great wilderness and began to be conscious of the scarcity of some of the things which they had had, even in the midst of Egyptian slavery. There manifested itself a craving for the material which for the moment rendered them unconscious of the value of the spiritual. They plainly declared that bondage with flesh was preferable to liberty with hunger. Very arresting is the attitude and activity of Jehovah toward them. Without rebuke He gave them both bread and flesh. In the method of the gift of the manna one great lesson is apparent. The people were to understand that their life was to be daily dependence on God. They were to gather each day for five days and on the sixth enough for that day and the Sabbath.

Probably there are today some people who may smile at this story of days far distant. The great facts, however, abide to this hour. In the path of obedience every man will find manifestations of the divine Presence and overruling, and that things impossible to him are possible to him with God.

Exodus 17

Another trial of their faith came to the people in the lack of water. In view of the fact that they had been provided with bread and flesh, it would seem as if they would have learned enough to be able to wait patiently for God. Yet it was not so. It is an arresting and important fact that a present darkness will make men forget the clear light of the past and imminent danger render us unconscious of previous deliverance. Here again the divine patience appears, for Jehovah uttered no word of reproach, but in spite of their impatient unbelief provided water out of the rock for them. Again, in impossible circumstances all things are seen to be possible where God is.

The forward march of the people brought down on them the army of Amalek. To the Israelites this was a new experience. In their first movement God led them in such a way as to avoid the possibility of war (Exodus 13:17). Now they were involved in war. A perfect victory was gained over Amalek and in this first battle the principles of their conflict were revealed. Joshua led men to an actual conflict, while Moses, assisted by Aaron and Hur, prayed. It was a combination of fighting and faith, the manifestation of loyalty to duty combined with dependence on God. Thus came to them a new revelation of God which Moses signified by raising an altar which he named Jehouah-Nissi meaning "Jehovah, our Banner."

Exodus 18

Here we have an interesting interruption of the main narrative. Jethro arrests our attention and compels recognition of certain facts which we are liable to forget, as also were the Israelites of old. This man was evidently of a caliber different from that of the ordinary run of those not included in the divinely created nation. He was at once a prince and a priest. He declared his own faith in Jehovah to be confirmed by the deliverance wrought under the leadership of Moses and he offered sacrifice to Jehovah. Here, as formerly, when Melchizedek met Abraham, we find a recognition of the fact that on the basis of faith and sacrifice it is possible for others than the chosen people to approach God.

The advice Jethro offered Moses was that of a man of excellent common sense. He saw that instead of devoting himself to the more important work of leadership, Moses might also attempt to do work which could well be delegated to others. This is a common mistake. Men called by God to lead are always in danger of attempting to encompass more than they are able. Jethro's advice was reverent in its recognition of the divine authority, "If thou shalt do this thing, and God command thee so." The fact that Moses acted on Jethro's advice is almost certain evidence that he recognized that God was speaking to him through this man. It is well for us to remember that God has different ways of making known His will and the fact that He sometimes comes to us through the advice of others should save us from anything like arrogant self-sufficiency.