August 7, 2024

The greatest road trip of all time was the exit of the Hebrew slaves from Egypt. After 430 years of toil, the Pharaoh, mourning the loss of his first born son, commanded six hundred thousand men and their families to leave: “Up! Leave my people, you and the Israelites! Go, worship the Lord as you have requested. Take your flocks and herds, as you have said, and go. And also bless me.” (Exodus 12:31-32) Although they should have made it to the Promised Land in a few weeks, God decided they would take 40 years.

Like impatient and ungrateful children they complained the whole way. First, when they observe the oncoming army of Pharaoh chasing them they say, “What have you done to us by bringing us out of Egypt?  It would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the desert!” (Exodus 14:11-12) When they came to a water source that was too bitter to drink: …the people grumbled against Moses, saying, “What are we to drink?” (Exodus 15:24) When food became scarce they grumbled “If only we had died by the Lord’s hand in Egypt! There we sat around pots of meat and ate all the food we wanted, but you have brought us out into this desert to starve this entire assembly to death.” (Exodus 16:3) 

Like a saintly parent God took care of his children with kindness and love, despite what they rally deserved. As we travel down the road of life, no matter how well God cares for us, we are prone to complain. The story of the Exodus shows us human nature but it also shows us God’s nature. He never gave up on them and he won’t give up on us. But maybe we could try to make it a little easier on Him?
 
Pastor Andy

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