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God has clearly promised to bless all who trust Jesus for salvation. But today many have some strange ides as what that 'blessing' means. For some it may mean health, strength and success, children who continue to follow the Lord; but for others their time on earth may be hard, with many difficulties, disasters, disappointments. The vital truth to affirm in storm or in sunshine is that God remains faithful 100%. Trials like Job suffered are not sent to destroy us, but strengthen us.
The following is an account of Israel's testings after the triumph of the release from Egyptian slavery. God has recorded it for our learning. Moses, Joshua and Caleb an example to follow, and others with whom God was not pleased for they quickly criticised God and tested him, treating him with contempt. Let us make every endeavour to not to allow any sin to remain in our lives, for it will surely grow to deceive us and harden our hearts against our gracious Saviour.
(Moses prayed to the Lord), "In accordance with your great love, forgive
the sin of these people, just as you have pardoned them from the time they
left Egypt until now." The Lord replied, "I have forgiven them, as you asked.
Nevertheless, as surely as I live and as surely as the glory of the Lord
fills the whole earth, not one of the men who saw my glory and the miraculous
signs I performed in Egypt and in the desert but who disobeyed me and tested
me ten times - Not one of them will ever see the land I promised on oath
to their forefathers. No one who has treated me with contempt will ever see
it. But because my servant Caleb has a different spirit and follows me
wholeheartedly, I will bring him into the land he went to, and his descendants
will inherit it.
Num 1419-24
The Holy Spirit says, today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your
hearts as you did at Meribah, as you did that day at Massah in the desert,
where your fathers tested and tried me, though they had seen what I did.
For forty years I was angry with that generation; I said, "They are a people
whose hearts go astray, and they have not known my ways." So I declared on
oath in my anger, "They shall never enter my rest." See to it, brothers,
that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the
living God. But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today,
so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness.
Heb 37-13 Ps 957-11
| Problem or Test | Solution or Result | |
| Exodus | ||
| Egyptian army at the Red Sea | 14,15 | Separated by pillar of cloud Water divided. Drowns all Egyptian army |
| Mara - water bitter | 1522-26 | Wood thrown into water which becomes sweet |
| Desert of Sin (Tzin) - no food Grumbled | 161-30 | Quail that evening, and Manna each morning. Don't collect on Sabbath and don't keep any until next day. Disobedient. Tried to keep it and sought Manna on Sabbath. Kept manna had maggots except on Sabbath, when none found |
| Rephidim - no water | 171-7 | Moses struck rock. Given water |
| Amalek attacks | 178-16 | Defeated by Joshua in the valley and Moses praying on the Mountain |
| Moses a long time on the Mt Sinai Israelites make golden calf |
32 | Idol was ground up and eaten Moses intercedes twice 3000 die by sword and many by plague |
| Numbers | ||
| Taberah - complained of hardship | 111-3 | Fire consumes some. Moses intercedes |
| Kibroth Hattaavah - Craved for other food.
This manna is so boring! |
114-35 | 70 elders prophesy. Quail 3 ft deep! But many die before finished eating |
| Miriam and Aaron talk against Moses because of his Cushite wife (Midianite i.e. Ham) |
12 | Miriam becomes leprous. Aaron pleads for mercy and humble Moses prays for her . Miriam o/s camp for 7 days |
| Paran - 12 sent to explore Canaan People grumble when report known. People had 'contempt for God' |
13,14 | Excellent land and fruitful, but too strong 10/12 afraid, people mourn. But Joshua and Caleb say we can take possession. Moses intercedes but none shall enter. Presumptuous few attacked and killed. No unbelievers will enter promised land. |
| Korah, Dathan, Abiram + 250 rebel. Wanted priesthood as well as leadership |
161-40 | Ground swallows up the 3 and fire consumes 250 |
| Next day the whole assembly grumbles against Moses and Aaron |
1641-50 17 | Moses intercedes as plague starts. 14,700 die Staffs of 12 leaders + Aaron's staff put in Tent of Meeting overnight. Aaron's staff budded, blossomed and bore almonds Kept in Ark as reminder of rebellion |
| Kadesh (Merribah) - no water; people grumble | 201-13 | Moses struck rock when told to speak. Therefore he will not lead people into promised land |
| Edom denies Israel passage through their land | 2014-21 | Sends large army, Israel turns away from them |
| Arad attacks Israel | 211-3 | Pray to God. City of Arad completely destroyed |
| People impatient - no bread | 214-9 | Many die from snake bites Moses makes bronze snake on a pole |
| Amorites (Sihon) refuses passage, attacks | 2121-31 | Defeated by Israel and all his cities |
| Bashan (Og) attacks Israel | 2132-35 | Struck him down, no survivors |
| Balaam (Moab) hired to curse Israel | 22-24 | God makes him bless Israel - because God does |
| Moab seduces Israel to sexual immorality and to sacrifice to Baal. |
25,31 | Each judge had to kill Baal worshippers Plague kills 24,000. Midianites are enemies - Defeated |
| Deut. | ||
| God's free grace for all the 40 years they were in the desert |
295 | Clothes and sandals didn't wear out. Provided with food and water for all the 40 years That they might know that 'I am the Lord your God.' |