Zion Bread of Life Christian Church

Tuesday, 13th February 2024

Rev Daniel Xi An Poon

Exodus 15:22-26 Focus on God Stop the Complaint 出埃及記 15:22-26 專注於神停止埋怨

V22-23 Complaints Arise when Encountering Difficulties 遇困難生怨言

“So Moses brought Israel from the Red Sea; then they went out into the Wilderness of Shur. And they went three days in the wilderness and found no water. Now when they came to Marah, they could not drink the waters of Marah, for they were bitter. Therefore the name of it was called Marah.”

「摩西領以色列人從紅海往前行，到了書珥的曠野，在曠野走了三天，找不著水。到了瑪拉，不能喝那裡的水，因為水苦，所以那地名叫瑪拉。」

It’s human nature for people to complain when facing challenging environment. We can never stop negative thoughts coming into our mind, but when we focus on God, then the complaints will stop. The Israelites passed the red sea, the people were praising and worshiping God, they were so full of faith and joy in God. But very soon, after only three days, when they found no water, they forgot how God led them this far, and they started to complaint. They saw the water but they could not drink it, so they felt bitter.

We are also like this, we have money but we don’t feel we have enough; we got married, but we are not happy with our spouse; we may have many things we desired, but we may still be unsatisfied. We stop making God our God, we stop relying on God, and we only know to complain when we encounter difficulties.

V24-25 When There is Trials, There will be Providence 有試煉就有預備

“And the people complained against Moses, saying, “What shall we drink?” So he cried out to the Lord, and the Lord showed him a tree. When he cast it into the waters, the waters were made sweet. There He made a statute and an ordinance for them, and there He tested them.”

「百姓就向摩西發怨言，說：我們喝什麼呢？摩西呼求耶和華，耶和華指示他一棵樹。他把樹丟在水裡，水就變甜了。耶和華在那裡為他們定了律例、典章，在那裡試驗他們。」

The people of Israel complained to Moses, they forgot how Moses led them out from Egypt, they forgot how Moses saved their lives, they only saw what was in front of them, and they complained. Trials are helping us to see ourselves better, to really know what’s in our lives. We must examine ourselves, deal with the sins and darkness within us. God will help us to see through ourselves and change our lives.

What was God’s response to Moses when he asked about water? God pointed to him a tree. Moses was not God, he also had his temper. What would Moses do when God revealed to him the tree? He took the tree out but there was no water underneath, so he threw the tree into the bitter water, and the water became sweet. God did not tell Moses to throw the tree in the water, He only pointed the tree for Moses. It was a trial for Moses and the Israelites.

Do we know our weaknesses? We thought we are strong, we thought we are faithful, we thought we stand firm, but when trials come, then we can see our true self. God wants to help us, but we don’t listen. God tested us not for us to fell, but He wants us to see the true-self and come out of our own caves. Even when we turn our backs on Him, He still comes to us and shines His light upon us. God gave us laws and commandments to help us walking on the righteous path.

V26 When Men Return God will Heal 人回轉神就醫治

“And said, if you diligently heed the voice of the Lord your God and do what is right in His sight, give ear to His commandments and keep all His statutes, I will put none of the diseases on you which I have brought on the Egyptians. For I am the Lord who heals you.”

「又說：你若留意聽耶和華你神的話，又行我眼中看為正的事，留心聽我的誡命，守我一切的律例，我就不將所加於埃及人的疾病加在你身上，因為我耶和華是醫治你的。」

God does not come to judge us, the day of judgement has not yet come. God wants to help us, He wants to heal us, and when we return to Him, ask for His help, His hands will come upon us. Egypt represents the world, the sickness of the world will not come to us, when we return and listen to the Word of God.