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Grumbling & provision

May 14, 2017 Speaker: Pastor Greg Series: Exodus: freed to be God's people

Scripture: Exodus 15:22– 16:36

Freed to be God’s people: a study of Exodus
Grumbling and provision–outline
Exodus 15:22-16:36
God’s people should trust in him to provide for them rather than grumble in distrust

1) God’s people grumble about no good water, but God provides even as he tests them, 15:22-27.
The concern about lack of water and bitter water was legitimate. What could Israel have done besides grumble? How was the Lord testing them? Why does God bring up the fact that he will not put any of the diseases on them that he put on the Egyptians if they listen to his voice? How do we see God’s graciousness in this episode?

2) God’s people grumble about lack of food, claiming the provision was better in their slavery, 16:1-3.
How reasonable (or unreasonable) are Israel’s grumblings in this setting? In your own life, what examples have you experienced, either as the grumbler or as a witness to others grumbling, of how unreasonable (exaggerated, accusatory) grumbling can become? Is grumbling that serious of a sin? How significant is grumbling (or not grumbling) in living out our faith in Christ (Phil. 2:14-16)? How do we avoid grumbling about what we think God may not supply (Matt. 6:30-32)?

3) God says he will provide for his people, and shall reveal his glory because of their grumbling, 16:4-12.
In light of Israel’s grumbling (16:2-3), what is surprising about God’s response? Why is it for Israel’s good that God is testing them? Why is the truth about Israel’s grumbling that they are really grumbling against the Lord not Moses and Aaron? What does this say about most of our grumbling? What does God say his purposes for Israel are in how he provides for them (see 16:7 and 12)?

4) God provides food for his people, instructing them to eat all the bread they gather that day, but some don’t listen, 16:13-21.
What is God’s purpose in supplying “daily bread” that they are to gather what they can eat that day (an omer or two quarts per person) and not save any for the next day? How does Jesus fulfill God’s miraculous giving of bread (“manna”) to Israel (John 6:31-35; 48-55)?

5) God provides bread for two days on the sixth day, so they are not to gather bread on the Sabbath, but some try to, 16:22-30.
What is God teaching Israel by allowing them to collect two days’ supply of bread on the sixth day, and not giving any bread to them on the seventh day?

6) God’s people are to keep a memorial portion before the Lord of his provision of bread in their years in the wilderness, 16:31-36.
What does manna taste like? How is this a “foretaste” of the promised land? What is God’s purpose in having Israel keep a jar of manna in their place of worship?

More in Exodus: freed to be God's people

January 21, 2018

We have seen His glory

January 14, 2018

Changed by the presence of God

January 7, 2018

God's steadfast covenant love