What I gleaned from this chapter is the importance of faith and waiting on God. The moment the Israelites were hungry, they started complaining to Moses. After everything they had seen God do, they still weren’t trusting in Him. When God supplied them with Manna many disobeyed the command to only use as much as they needed and that no one was to keep any until the morning. What that disobedience showed was a lack of faith that God would provide for them every day, as He said that He would.

Questions and Answers…

Why did the people grumble at Moses and Aaron?

There were hungry. I think they were more focused on their belly than they were with trusting in God.

What was God’s instructions regarding the gathering of the manna?

They were to gather only a certain amount each day (an omer for each person). On the sixth day they were to gather twice as much and prepare it for the seventh day. This was God’s way of testing whether they would obey His commandments or not.

Some of them didn’t listen to Moses. They kept some for the next day, and the excess stank the next day and had worms in it. Not so on the Sabbath day. Those who gathered more on the sixth day had food for the seventh.

What were they fed at night, and what were they fed in the morning?

In the morning they were fed manna and in the evening they were fed quail.

What do we learn about the appearance, the color, and the taste of manna?

It was small and round like hoar frost upon the ground. It looked much like coriander seed, but it was white and tasted like honey wafers.

In this chapter we see God’s people keeping the Sabbath. What else can we learn about the Sabbath from Hebrews chapter 4?

Hebrews 4:10 says, “For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his.”

This ceasing from work, or Sabbath day that we honor, is a symbol of eternal rest with God.

They had a promise set before them of a land flowing with milk and honey. We have a hope set before us of heaven:

“And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there you may be also.” – John 14:3

We can rest in that promise knowing that we’re saved by faith through grace. Not by our own works, but by the grace of God. Salvation isn’t something we earn, it’s a gift from God through faith.

Many today still believe that being good and doing good is all they need to be saved. While good works are important, they are an extension of our faith and not the root. The root of our faith is in Christ. It’s by His work on the cross that we’re saved.

The Israelites had a promise before them, but many failed to enter the land because of unbelief and disobedience.

Even God Himself rested after creating the world. Not because He was tired out obviously, but because He wanted to teach us the importance of rest, both through faith in Jesus Christ and also in a general sense that people and their workers need a time of rest.

How long did the people eat manna?

40 years.

Questions and Answers…

When the people complained about being thirsty, what was the Lord’s specific instructions to Moses regarding the rock? Compare this to Numbers 20:1-12, what is the difference?

God told Moses to go on before the people with the elders and to take his rod with him. He told Moses to smite the rock with the rod and water would come out.

Numbers 20:1-12:

God told Moses to go before the assembly with Aaron, to speak to the rock, and it would bring forth water.

Moses was disobedient to God’s specific instructions. Instead of speaking to the rock, he took the rod, spoke severely to the people, and smote the rock twice.

In Numbers 20 we see that Moses let his anger dictate his actions. In Exodus 17 he let God. We must be cautious as believers that we’re not ruled by emotions.

Romans 8:8 says, “For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.”

Faith is a process of letting go of the flesh. Of putting down our own sinful desires to follow His will.

What or Who did the rock represent? 1 Corinthians 10:4

“And [the Israelites] did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.” – 1 Corinthians 10:4

Google this. What does the Hebrew word Massah mean? What does the Hebrew word Meribah mean?

Massah is testing and Meribah means quarreling. Moses called the place Massah and Meribah, because they quarreled and tested the Lord.

In this chapter we see the Israelites in their first battle. Who was the enemy?

Amalek

Note: To me, the “rod” represents authority and guidance. As a shepherd uses a rod to guide his sheep, so the Lord uses discipline and authority to guide us. What started out as a simple staff in Exodus chapter 4 was dubbed the “rod of God,” as Moses returned to Egypt to free God’s people. And so by the rod the Red Sea was divided, and by the rod water poured from a rock.

In this chapter, we’re introduced to Joshua. What can we learn about Joshua from Joshua 1:1-6?

He was the son of Nun

After the death of Moses, he was appointed by God to lead the Israelites into the Promised land

Who helped Moses keep his hands in the air?

Aaron and Hur

What can the story of Moses and raising up of his hands teach us about the spiritual battles we face?

The rod that Moses held up represented the authority of God. We can learn much from this example about God’s authority when it comes to the spiritual battles we face.

Verse like these remind us again of His power over this world:

“But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.” – Isaiah 40:31

“Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.” 1 John 4:4

 ^“These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” – John 16:33

When we put our faith in God we have victory over the battles we face.

What I enjoyed about this chapter was the relationship between Moses and his father-in-law Jethro. We hear a lot about Naomi and Ruth and the relationship they had, but rarely do we hear about the father/son-in-law relationship between Moses and Jethro.

Jethro had wisdom and Moses was humble enough to listen and to learn. In fact, Numbers 12:3 tells us that “Moses was very meek, above all the men which were upon the face of the earth.” So when Jethro came to visit the camp, Moses grew by his wisdom.

Jethro was also supportive in their time of need. At some point he had taken Zipporah and their two children in to his home until the time came to reunite them with Moses.

Jethro was a friend to Moses. He listened as Moses conveyed everything that the Lord had done to Pharaoh and the Egyptians, the hardships they faced and everything that God had done to rescue His people. Then after listening to everything that Moses told him, he rejoiced and prepared a burnt offering to God.

Questions and Answers…

What were Moses’ two sons named?

Eliezer and Gershom

What are some facts we know about Jethro? Also see Exodus 2:15-21

He was also called Reuel
He was a priest of Midian
He had seven daughters
He watched over Zipporah and her children for a while
He was Moses’ father-in-law

What advice did Jethro give to Moses?

That instead of Moses judging every matter that came to him, he should delegate men who would judge over groups of thousands, hundreds, fifties, and tens. These men could handle small matters and the bigger issues (the difficult ones) would be brought to Moses for his judgment. This would lighten Moses’ load.

How did the judges handle difficult disputes?

They brought the difficult disputes to Moses.

Verse 25 said that Moses appointed rulers of thousands, rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens, which tells us that there were multitudes of people in this camp. How many Israelites left Egypt? See Exodus 12:37

600,000 men besides children. The Amplified Bible says, “besides [women and] children. A more accurate number of 603,550, is found in Numbers 1:46.