Everyone experiences adversity. The question is: what will we do with it?
In yesterday’s blog article, I discussed how one of my college professors referred to tests as “opportunity time.” The tests the Israelites underwent teach us about God’s method of training his people to have faith.
On this occasion, the test involved hunger.
The whole congregation of the Israelites set out from Elim and came to the wilderness of Sin, which is between Elim and Sinai, on the fifteenth day of the second month after they had departed from the land of Egypt.
The whole congregation of the Israelites complained against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness.
The Israelites said to them, “If only we had died by the hand of the Lord in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the pots of meat and ate our fill of bread, for you have brought us out into this wilderness to kill this whole assembly with hunger” (Exodus 16:1-3).
Under the stress and strain of hunger, the Israelites complained and fondly remembered Egypt. However, this perspective differs from the historical record, which portrays them as slaves in Egypt, groaning under the pain of their bondage. God acted in response to their groans.
The Israelites groaned under their slavery and cried out. Their cry for help rose up to God from their slavery (Exodus 2:23).
Another Test – Another Opportunity
Whether Israel would trust God was a central feature of their tests. The test of hunger and God’s supply of their need tested this trust again. He was training them to trust Him, not their instincts and feelings.
Then the Lord said to Moses, “I am going to rain bread from heaven for you, and each day the people shall go out and gather enough for that day. In that way I will test them, whether they will follow my instruction or not.
On the sixth day, when they prepare what they bring in, it will be twice as much as they gather on other days.”
So Moses and Aaron said to all the Israelites, “In the evening you shall know that it was the Lord who brought you out of the land of Egypt, and in the morning you shall see the glory of the Lord, because he has heard your complaining against the Lord.
For what are we, that you complain against us?”
And Moses said, “When the Lord gives you meat to eat in the evening and your fill of bread in the morning, because the Lord has heard the complaining that you utter against him—what are we?
Your complaining is not against us but against the Lord” (Exodus 16:4-8).
Two phrases that stand out are “That you will know that it is the Lord who brought you out of Egypt,” and “you will see the glory of the Lord.” The purpose of this test was for the people to know God and to see the nature of His character.
I can’t say I like the tests I’ve faced. Nevertheless, during those difficult periods, I experienced God in a way that wasn’t possible otherwise.
During my last major test, I reached a point where I could finally say to God, “I know you’re not worried about this situation. You intend for me to learn something through this. What do you want to reveal about me, and how can I best respond to you in this?”
I wish I could say that this is the way I have always reacted. Like the Israelites, I’m a slow learner.
God’s Glory Revealed
I remember being frustrated with one of the deacons in a church I pastored. As I was complaining about him, his wife turned the corner and very politely said, “Please be careful with your speech.” In that moment, I wished I hadn’t spoken and could just disappear.
I wonder if the grumbling Israelites felt similarly when they encountered the Lord’s magnificent glory the morning after they complained.
Then Moses said to Aaron, “Say to the whole congregation of the Israelites: ‘Draw near to the Lord, for he has heard your complaining.’”
And as Aaron spoke to the whole congregation of the Israelites, they looked toward the wilderness, and the glory of the Lord appeared in the cloud.
The Lord spoke to Moses, “I have heard the complaining of the Israelites; say to them, ‘At twilight you shall eat meat, and in the morning you shall have your fill of bread; then you shall know that I am the Lord your God'” (Exodus 16:9-12).
During times of testing, we learn to modify our behavior. We also learn to see God in all His glory, which leads us to respond by trusting Him more.
YouTube Discussion
Rudy Ross, Bruce Kirby, and I discussed this passage on YouTube today.
Real Voices 