Monday, July 17, 2023

“Lost Patience, Lost Faith”

“And when the people saw that Moses delayed to come down out of the mount, the people gathered themselves together unto Aaron, and said unto him, Up, make us gods, which shall go before us; for as for this Moses, the man that brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we wot not what is become of him.” (Exodus 32:1)

Moses had spent 40 days and nights on Mount Sinai. Before heading up the mountain God had spoken to them all. He gave them word for word the 10 Commandments that would result in a covenant between the children of Israel and God.

After just a few days of Moses heading up the mountain, the children of Israel’s incessant complaining convinced Aaron to make them an idol of gold.

“And the LORD said unto Moses, Go, get thee down; for thy people, which thou broughtest out of the land of Egypt, have corrupted themselves:” (Exodus 32:7)

Just like when the parents leave their children at home, a party will ensue, and the house will be trashed. The children of Israel are having a party and breaking the commandments they promised to follow.

God, the father, is full of anger and tells Moses that he will consume them.

“Now therefore let me alone, that my wrath may wax hot against them, and that I may consume them: and I will make of thee a great nation.” (Exodus 32:10)

Moses intercedes with God to save the children of Israel from certain destruction.

“Wherefore should the Egyptians speak, and say, For mischief did he bring them out, to slay them in the mountains, and to consume them from the face of the earth? Turn from thy fierce wrath, and repent of this evil against thy people.” (Exodus 32:12)

Abraham had interceded with God to save some of the people in Sodom. Now Moses has interceded to spare the lives of the righteous. This is a look to the future, Jesus.

Moses began to return from the mountain with the two tablets. As he came to Joshua, Joshua told Moses that it sounded like there was a war in camp. Moses dismissed it as singing.

When Moses saw the Golden Calf, the people dancing, and worshiping the idol, he was angry.

“Then Moses stood in the gate of the camp, and said, Who is on the LORD’S side? let him come unto me. And all the sons of Levi gathered themselves together unto him.

And he said unto them, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, Put every man his sword by his side, and go in and out from gate to gate throughout the camp, and slay every man his brother, and every man his companion, and every man his neighbour.

And the children of Levi did according to the word of Moses: and there fell of the people that day about three thousand men.” (Exodus 32:26-28)

Moses went back up into the mountain to ask God for forgiveness of their great sin.

“Yet now, if thou wilt forgive their sin–; and if not, blot me, I pray thee, out of thy book which thou hast written.

And the LORD said unto Moses, Whosoever hath sinned against me, him will I blot out of my book.

Therefore now go, lead the people unto the place of which I have spoken unto thee: behold, mine Angel shall go before thee: nevertheless in the day when I visit I will visit their sin upon them.

And the LORD plagued the people, because they made the calf, which Aaron made.” (Exodus 32:32-35)

Stay tuned for a short intermission…

“40 Days and Nights on the Mountain”

“And all the people saw the thunderings, and the lightnings, and the noise of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking: and when the people saw it, they removed, and stood afar off.” (Exodus 20:18)

Over the next 40 days and night Moses is with God, not just about the 10 Commandments. God gives Moses the judgments that directly connect to the 10 Commandments. Each judgment comes with the detailed crime and detailed punishment.

He also gives Moses in great detail how to build a temple to God, how to dress the priests, how to sacrifice and worship God, and who can enter the temple.

The 10 Commandments in Exodus are a reminder of the Commandments in Genesis. The difference is the material used. The 10 Commandments in Exodus are set in stone by the finger of God. They were already set in our hearts by God.

Breaking one Commandment, in thought or deed, condemns you to eternal separation from God. Repenting, under Mosaic Law is so complex that missing one step is also resulting in damnation.

There is only one way to Repent of your sins and receive Eternal Life.

“1 There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews:

2 The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.

3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

4 Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born?

5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.

7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.

8 The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.

9 Nicodemus answered and said unto him, How can these things be?

10 Jesus answered and said unto him, Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things?

11 Verily, verily, I say unto thee, We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen; and ye receive not our witness.

12 If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things?

13 And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven.

14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up:

15 That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.

16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.

20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.

21 But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.” (John 3:1-21)

All you have to do is: Admit to God that you know you have Sinned. Believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. That he died on the Cross; that he rose from the Dead for our Sins. Then Follow Him.

From Exodus Chapter 20 to Exodus Chapter 31 Moses spends 40 days and nights communing with God.

“The 10 Commandments”

“Thou shalt not covet” (Exodus 20:17)

Its called Greed. To want what someone else has is a combination of Jealousy and Greed. We want these things which will hurt our neighbors and only gratify ourselves.

Someone who has faced tribulation becomes something others want as well. Someone who has faced poverty and others want to be poor to bring special feelings to themselves.

People covet love to excuse their inability to love. They need others to love them, but can’t give love.

“The 10 Commandments”

“Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour” (Exodus 20:16)

Bearing False Witness, is Lying.

A partial lie is a complete lie.

A partial truth is a complete lie.

Lying to convince someone to Christ is a destructive lie.

The list of lie’s are as the number of stars in the sky.

“The 10 Commandments”

“Thou shalt not steal.” (Exodus 20:15)

Got your hand in the cookie jar? It is stealing if those cookies are not yours. This includes taking charity when you no longer need charity. Creating a charity to take from others to promote yourself. To pay someone a small amount of money, when you know the service or goods are much more expensive.

We are commanded to be honest.

A simple honesty test I have used is as follows:

The Story, you go to a local doughnut shop and buy 12 doughnuts. as you are headed home you reach into the box to get a doughnut. Instead of a nice warm doughnut, you find that there is $10,000 in the box.

The Question, what do you do?

The Answer, is in your heart.

“The 10 Commandments”

“Thou shalt not commit adultery.” (Exodus 20:14)

It is not just about cheating on a spouse. It includes anything that pollutes the mind. From pictures to conversation. Our eyes are wicked and prone to fill our minds with wicked ways.

“And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out: it is better for thee to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye, than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire:” (Mark 9:47)

“The 10 Commandments”

“Thou shalt not kill.” (Exodus 20:13)

Oh the number of arguments that surround a simple commandment! We are to protect others lives as we protect our own. Self-defense and the defense of others is lawful. This is not just deeds, but thoughts.

To allow the killing of someone that may pass the judgement of men, it is Murder in the eyes of God.

“The 10 Commandments”

“Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.” (Exodus 20:12)

This commandment is to how we treat our relations. The destruction of the family has been going on for a very long time. However, people still have access to a mother and father figure. It might be someone in a town, school, job, there are many who provide guidance to us. Our job is to obey the lawful commands, and counsel of our family leaders.

In the old age of a Mother and Father we are to take care of them. In their old age it is clear that they do not want to be treated like children. Treat them with love and care.

“The First Four Commandments”

“And God spake all these words, saying,” (Exodus 20:1)

Thou shalt have no other gods before me, Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain, and Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.

These first four commandments are how we should worship God.

The first commandment is the Object of worship. God, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Is the only God. He made you and if he wanted he could disappear you. It is his Grace alone that keeps you existing.

The second commandment is the worship we give to God. Whether it is a person, place, thing, or thought everything we do must be worship to God.

The third commandment is how we worship God. Profanity is easily found in our daily lives, whether in thought or deed. Swearing an Oath to anything that is not God, is blaspheming God.

The fourth commandment is telling us to remember the Sabbath. Although tending a garden may look like work to some, it is a great way to commune in God’s love. There are things done out of necessity and God knows what those things are.

The first four commandments are not about us to judge others, it is about us to worship God, in-spite of the judgement others may proclaim.

“The 10 Commandments”

“Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.” (Exodus 20:8)

“9 Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work:

10 But the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates:

11 For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it.” (Exodus 20:9-11)

I’m sure you have heard people of the world ask? How can a godly man mow his yard on the sabbath? I will let Jesus answer that.

“24 And the Pharisees said unto him, Behold, why do they on the sabbath day that which is not lawful?

25 And he said unto them, Have ye never read what David did, when he had need, and was an hungred, he, and they that were with him?

26 How he went into the house of God in the days of Abiathar the high priest, and did eat the shewbread, which is not lawful to eat but for the priests, and gave also to them which were with him?

27 And he said unto them, The sabbath was made for man, and not man for the sabbath:

28 Therefore the Son of man is Lord also of the sabbath.

“The 10 Commandments”

“Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.” (Exodus 20:7)

This is beyond the typical use of profane words. Taking an Oath, even one that does not use the word God is serious. An oath is a promise to fulfill some action. The promise of an action that is not God’s will is blasphemy.

Even words that are considered mild are a violation of this commandment. For instance, you stub your toe and say “darn it”, although that is what you say, you actually are thinking “Damn it”. Unless you are God, you can’t damn anything.

“The 10 Commandments”

“Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth:” (Exodus 20:4)

Obviously making images of God, for any reason, or purpose, or creature things such as cars, cats, dogs, food, or jewelry is a violation of this commandment. It is not the making of images that is wrong, it is the worshiping the images that is wrong.

This commandment goes much deeper than the things above, it extends to superstition. Like the medallion of a saint for safe travels, or a preacher in the pulpit. These are human failures. When a thing or person is lifted out above us, then they become a separation of God from us.

None of us have kept this commandment.

God put a penalty on this commandment.

“Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me;” (Exodus 20:5)

Stay Tuned…

“The 10 Commandments”

“I am the LORD thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.” (Exodus 20:2)

The first commandment is the greatest commandment. Before your enemies, your friends, or yourself, there is your maker.

Jesus said it best, “36 Master, which is the great commandment in the law?

37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.

38 This is the first and great commandment.”(Matthew 22:36-38)

Everything we do must pass God’s judgement, before ourselves. We know that that is not how people work. Oh we know that many say they put God first, then read their statements and realize that put themselves and feelings above God.

The 10 Commandments are a framework to be like God. 10 rules that everyone has violated. They do not change. EVERYONE has come short. That is why Jesus has paid the wages of sin. If only you believe.

Stay tuned…

“Mount Sinai”

“For they were departed from Rephidim, and were come to the desert of Sinai, and had pitched in the wilderness; and there Israel camped before the mount.” (Exodus 19:2)

Mount Sinai is a holy site. God makes this evident when he sets about statutes as to how close people may come to the mount.

” And thou shalt set bounds unto the people round about, saying, Take heed to yourselves, that ye go not up into the mount, or touch the border of it: whosoever toucheth the mount shall be surely put to death:” (Exodus 19:12)

God directed that when the trumpet sounded, the people may come to the edge of the mount.

“And it came to pass on the third day in the morning, that there were thunders and lightnings, and a thick cloud upon the mount, and the voice of the trumpet exceeding loud; so that all the people that was in the camp trembled.” (Exodus 19:16)

God presides on the Mount of Sinai to impress on the hearts of Israel a new covenant. Not in stone, but on their hearts. The laws that God is about to repeat had already been in their hearts and they had turned away.

Stay tuned…

“Jethro”

“And Jethro rejoiced for all the goodness which the LORD had done to Israel, whom he had delivered out of the hand of the Egyptians.” (Exodus 18:9)

Moses’s father in law Jethro, came to visit. Jethro watched Moses as he sat from morning to night judging and teaching the people God’s statutes. Moses judged every complaint, from large to small. Moses answered questions, from simple to complex. There was no way he could do this alone.

“17And Moses’ father in law said unto him, The thing that thou doest is not good.

18Thou wilt surely wear away, both thou, and this people that is with thee: for this thing is too heavy for thee; thou art not able to perform it thyself alone.” (Exodus 18:17-18)

Moses was certainly a workaholic.

Jethro counseled Moses on how to organize a nation.

“20And thou shalt teach them ordinances and laws, and shalt shew them the way wherein they must walk, and the work that they must do.

21Moreover thou shalt provide out of all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness; and place such over them, to be rulers of thousands, and rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens:

22And let them judge the people at all seasons: and it shall be, that every great matter they shall bring unto thee, but every small matter they shall judge: so shall it be easier for thyself, and they shall bear the burden with thee.” (Exodus 18:20-22)

Moses understood this organization. He only had to judge big problems and teach to a few. The few would spread the weight of judgment and teaching down. Communications goes faster and understanding goes faster.

“And Moses chose able men out of all Israel, and made them heads over the people, rulers of thousands, rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens.” (Exodus 18:25)

“Amalek”

“Then came Amalek, and fought with Israel in Rephidim.” (Exodus 17:8)

Amalek arrives at Rephidim to do battle with the children of Israel. Moses selected Joshua as his commander in the field. Moses, Arron, and Hur went to the top of a hill.

At the top of the hill Moses raised the Rod of God above his head toward the heavens. As long as Moses kept the Rod above his head, the children of Israel were winning. But Moses was not a young man. When his arms could no longer hold up the Rod then Amalek was winning. Aaron and Hur supported Moses by holding his arms up. Amalek is defeated.

It sounds like a simple short story, but it isn’t.

Moses promotes Joshua to be his commander in the field. Joshua alone can not win this battle. Moses calls on God to prevail, but Moses alone is not strong enough to hold the Rod of God above the battle. Aaron and Hur can not hold the Rod of God. They can only hold Moses’s arms above him.

Without God, the children of Israel are doomed to destruction.

With God, the children of Israel are triumphant.

Without God, no matter how hard you work, we are doomed to destruction.

With God, though we struggle, God supports us and gives us eternal life.

“Murmurs”

“And the people murmured against Moses, saying, What shall we drink?” (Exodus 15:24)

The children of Israel is an analog to things that happen today. They had left the tribulations of Egypt, celebrated their liberation, then fell into despair of no water. Despair is easy.

When you are troubled by life’s knocks, God provides what you need, when you need it. The children of Israel arrive at Marah. They couldn’t drink the water because it was bitter. God shows Moses a tree that when cast into the water made the water sweet.

Here God gives them the instructions for them to follow.

“And said, If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the LORD thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the LORD that healeth thee.” (Exodus 15:26)

No sooner had they had water, then they began to murmur against Moses and Aaron. This was not just a few, the entire congregation began to murmur. Apparently they have no idea on how to pray to God directly, instead they speak out against Moses and Arron.

“11 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,

12 I have heard the murmurings of the children of Israel: speak unto them, saying, At even ye shall eat flesh, and in the morning ye shall be filled with bread; and ye shall know that I am the LORD your God.” (Exodus 16:11-12)

In the evening quail appear right when they need it. The next morning, all over the ground were small round loaves of bread. Manna from heaven.

God makes it clear that over the next 6 days you will have all the bread you want. Take it and eat it, but don’t leave any. Of course, they left some and in the morning it was full of worms and stank.

People do people things and as often as not ignore rules. Moses was angry about it. Over the coming days the people got a handle on how much they should gather. If they waited until the heat of the day the manna would melt.

On the sixth day Moses tells the people to gather a double portion and hold it until the seventh day, because there will be no manna available on the Sabbath.

God teaches the children of Israel about the Sabbath. They will be fed manna for the next 40 years and rest every Sabbath.

The murmurs continue at Rephidim for water. God has Moses take his rod and strike a stone in front of the elders, and water flowed from the rock.

Then comes war…..to be continued stay tuned.

The Song of Moses

“The LORD is a man of war: the LORD is his name” (Exodus 15:3)

The children of Israel have been delivered from the Egyptians by the power of God. Moses is 80, his brother Aaron is 83. The children of Israel are now in the wilderness.

Moses sang this song.

"the horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea.

The LORD is my strength and song, and he is become my salvation: he is my God, and I will prepare him an habitation; my father's God, and I will exalt him.

The LORD is a man of war: the LORD is his name.

Pharaoh's chariots and his host hath he cast into the sea: his chosen captains also are drowned in the Red sea.

The depths have covered them: they sank into the bottom as a stone.

Thy right hand, O LORD, is become glorious in power: thy right hand, O LORD, hath dashed in pieces the enemy.

And in the greatness of thine excellency thou hast overthrown them that rose up against thee: thou sentest forth thy wrath, which consumed them as stubble.

And with the blast of thy nostrils the waters were gathered together, the floods stood upright as an heap, and the depths were congealed in the heart of the sea.

The enemy said, I will pursue, I will overtake, I will divide the spoil; my lust shall be satisfied upon them; I will draw my sword, my hand shall destroy them.

Thou didst blow with thy wind, the sea covered them: they sank as lead in the mighty waters.

Who is like unto thee, O LORD, among the gods? who is like thee, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders?

Thou stretchedst out thy right hand, the earth swallowed them.

Thou in thy mercy hast led forth the people which thou hast redeemed: thou hast guided them in thy strength unto thy holy habitation.

The people shall hear, and be afraid: sorrow shall take hold on the inhabitants of Palestine.

Then the dukes of Edom shall be amazed; the mighty men of Moab, trembling shall take hold upon them; all the inhabitants of Canaan shall melt away.

Fear and dread shall fall upon them; by the greatness of thine arm they shall be as still as a stone; till thy people pass over, O LORD, till the people pass over, which thou hast purchased.

Thou shalt bring them in, and plant them in the mountain of thine inheritance, in the place, O LORD, which thou hast made for thee to dwell in, in the Sanctuary, O Lord, which thy hands have established.

The LORD shall reign for ever and ever.

For the horse of Pharaoh went in with his chariots and with his horsemen into the sea, and the LORD brought again the waters of the sea upon them; but the children of Israel went on dry land in the midst of the sea." (Exodus 15:1-19)

“And Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took a timbrel in her hand; and all the women went out after her with timbrels and with dances.” (Exodus 15:20)

Miriam and the women answer Moses’s song.

"Sing ye to the LORD, for he hath triumphed gloriously; the horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea." (Exodus 15:21)

This is the first song in the Bible. The Song of Moses.

“God’s Plan for Israel” Part II

“And it came to pass the selfsame day, that the LORD did bring the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt by their armies.”(Exodus 12:51)

For 3 days and nights the people of Egypt were in total darkness. The final plague brought on horror. After a night of being surrounded by death, the children of Israel burst out of Egypt. Does this sound familiar? Jesus died and in three days he burst out of the tomb. Salvation!!

God had some lessons Israel had to learn. The question becomes how to get from Egypt to Canaan? Obviously a straight line is the fastest way, but a straight line from bondage in Egypt will only result in bondage in Canaan.

God displays his wonders. First, by providing a cloud by day, and fire at night as a way to guide them. Second, he takes them to the sea. There is, in the mind of the children of Israel no escape.

Pharaoh was obviously angered beyond his normal level of angry. Pharaoh not only used his select troops, he used all of his troops. This is a very unusual military strategy. Sending everyone to meet an enemy, though it will certainly give numerical strength, it leaves your home base empty of any defense. Pharaoh was not going to bring Israel back, he intended to destroy Israel.

The children of Israel saw the huge military force Pharaoh had brought against them. They were frightened. I would have been. The children of Israel began to complain to Moses that they would be killed and it was all his fault.

Moses had faith in God. God created what we in the military call a Blocking Force. In the military it was a man created block, God brought a cloud of darkness to cover the Children of Israel’s movement. Moses raised his staff over the sea, and God parted the waters. This gave the children of Israel an escape. Just as God has given us all a path from Adam to Jesus.

“Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.” (Matthew 7:14)

All night long Moses moved nearly a million people (numbers are up to you) across a divided sea. How far across is the sea. We don’t know. What we do know is that this was not just a path to safety for the children of Israel, but a deadly trap for Pharaoh.

Pharaoh’s armies chased after Moses and his flock. When the armies had entered into the divided sea, and after Moses and his flock were safely across. God brought the sea slamming closed. Destroying the Pharaoh’s best forces. Ending Egypt’s military threat to the Children of Israel.

Most importantly are lessons. Although God had brought 10 plagues on Egypt, not everyone was convinced it was the God of Abraham. Just like the pandemic with its grip on human weakness, people do not see anything but a virus. They moan and whine about their own personal failures and lack the faith that God will provide what they need.

God shut up the complaints of the people for a time, sadly, people are weak. They cling to God for their every want. A shiny new car or huge bank account. God gives you what you need, if you only believe. Everything I need has not been by my work, it was given by God’s grace. So, stop complaining.

“Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.” (Psalms 46:10)

God’s Plan for Israel. Part I.

God’s battle plan begins with Adam and so far in this series it has been his plan up to the children of Israel. God’s plan is both simple and complex.

After the night of the Passover, Pharaoh was done with Israel. In anger, Pharaoh ordered the children of Israel to get out. This was an immediate change in Israeli life.

The children of Israel had spent 400 years as slaves to Egypt. They knew no other life. Now their life is in upheaval. Before the Passover they packed their stuff, had their shoes on, and their staff. On the morning after Passover they were leaving Egypt. But where were they going to go? What would they need to survive? What if?

It begins with the numbers of people that will travel. According to the Bible it is 600,000 (Six Hundred Thousand) men not including children. (Exodus 12:37). There are many calculations that can bring us to a general estimate. If we take one child per man, even as a low range estimate we have 1.2 million persons. Add another 600,000 women we would have a low range estimate of 1.8 million persons. Of course we can add another group of people that were not circumcised. This group can include Israeli, Egyptians, and every other Gentile. What we know is that at least 600,000 men began the journey.

Supplies for a group this size, there would need include food, water, live stock, and tools. God provided the food in terms of unleavened bread. A package of crackers will survive for several months. Yeast rolls will at best survive less than a week. Yeast, or other leavening agents can produce deadly results. But food is not the most important supply. A short term need is water. Without water you will die in hours.

They were not short supplies. In fact, the Egyptians had provided money in terms of jewels, gold, silver, and clothing. We may not think of it today, but things of value would be needed by everyone who traveled. When food or water becomes scarce, money becomes one way of trade with merchants or bandits along the way.

What was the goal? God’s short term goal is the promise of the land of Canaan. Moses’s goal was the promised land of Canaan. The children of Israel had multiple goals, including staying alive, not being killed by Egyptians, a better life, and for a few following God.

God teaches us what we need.

Part II is the difficulty.