It is no surprise that the wilderness section describes how God makes Himself known to Israel and then, subsequently, through Israel.
Consider a few events in the wilderness…
EXODUS 15:22-27:
We see here that obedience is the foundation of Israel’s response to God and the covenant. Being free from Egypt does not mean self-governing. It means a change of Master.
If we want to be sustained by God, how important is obedience to His word?
Let’s talk about that word “test.” KJV has “proved.” What does it imply? It means “teaching” or “instruction.” What is God trying to “teach” Israel through this event?
If she would receive God’s sustenance, she must obey.
When God says, “I, the Lord, am…” – it shows instruction.
This latter phrase would remind Israel of the exodus, what God has done for them. “I am your healer” would engender trust in the Lord. God also instills fear in Israel. He is entirely capable of bringing the same plagues on Israel as He did on Egypt.
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The bottom line is that Israel needs to trust God, fear Him, and obey Him and He will sustain them through the wilderness – even by throwing a piece of wood into the water.
EXODUS 17:8-16:
This text makes clear that Israel’s victory is not based on military might but on Moses, sitting on the mountain and, specifically, Moses’ hands. What was in Moses’ hand? Whose power is it?
This is the same rod that Moses held out over the Red Sea, causing it to divide, allowing Israel to cross on dry ground and then collapsing over the Egyptians and drowning them. It is God’s staff, His power. Notice also in 17:16 that the battle is portrayed as God (not Israel) versus Amalek.
Yet, Israel is required to fight. It is not that God is impotent without Israel nor is it that Israel can do it by herself. God is involving Israel in her own salvation in the sense that she has to trust and obey.
The God who redeemed Israel from Egypt is the God who sustains Israel in the wilderness by teaching/training them to obey Him in faith. Notice how
May this point about sustenance strengthen us for our journey ahead as we make known the nature of God to the world around us.
–Paul Holland
