The Bible Project Daily Podcast How Many Times Does it Take Us To Learn the Truth. (Exodus 17 1-16)
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Welcome. In today's episode, we will dive into the story of the children of Israel as they journeyed through the wilderness and faced challenges that tested their faith and trust in God's promises.
Have you ever been in a situation where you had to hear something multiple times before it truly sank in? Well, the same can be said for the children of Israel. Despite witnessing incredible miracles and experiencing God's provision and protection first-hand, they struggled to fully grasp the concept of trusting in the Lord.
We begin our story in the book of Exodus, where the children of Israel find themselves in a dire situation. After their miraculous deliverance from Pharaoh's army, they arrive at a place called Rephidim, only to discover that there is no water for them to drink. Instead of trusting in God's faithfulness, they immediately start quarrelling and complaining against Moses, questioning why he brought them out of Egypt just to let them die of thirst. Moses, knowing that the real issue lies in their lack of trust in the Lord, cries out to God for guidance. And as always, God responds with a plan. He instructs Moses to take his rod, the same one used to strike the Nile River and part the Red Sea, and strike a rock in Horeb. God promises that water will flow from the rock, providing for the people's thirst. Moses follows God's instructions, and sure enough, water gushes forth from the rock. God once again demonstrates His faithfulness and provision. In commemoration of this event, the place is named Massah and Meribah, meaning Temptation and Contention, reflecting the people's lack of trust and their constant complaining.
But the story doesn't end there. The second part of the episode focuses on another challenge the children of Israel face in Rephidim. The Amalekites, a fierce and warlike nation, attack them. Moses appoints Joshua to lead the men in battle, while he, along with Aaron and Hur, goes up to a hilltop with the rod of God in his hand. As the battle rages on, Moses lifts his hands, holding the rod, in an act of prayer. Whenever his hands are raised, the Israelites prevail, but when he grows weary and lowers his hands, they begin to lose. Aaron and Hur come to his aid, holding up his hands, ensuring that his posture of prayer is sustained. With their support, the Israelites emerge victorious. The significance of this act of prayer is profound. It highlights the importance of upholding and supporting one another in prayer, especially during times of weariness or struggle. It serves as a reminder that prayer is a powerful tool in the hands of believers and that our dependence on God through prayer can bring about significant advances for His kingdom.
As we reflect on this story, we are reminded of the lessons it holds for us today. How many times do we need to see God's faithfulness and provision in our own lives before we fully trust in His promises? How often do we find ourselves complaining instead
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