Dear Family,
Today is Monday, April 17, 2023. Today is Day 9; Day 2 of Week 2 in our Count to Pentecost.
From the Red Sea, Israel traveled three days into the wilderness without finding water. They were following the cloud by day and resting with the protection of the pillar of fire by night. There was no mistaking the fact that God’s divine Presence was with them, leading them.
Then Israel came to a place they called Marah, because the water they found there was bitter. However, God turned the bitter water sweet. Despite their complaining and murmuring, God offered them a promise of healing and protection from disease. This is just like a loving Father!
Exodus 15:22-26 (22) So Moses brought Israel from the Red Sea, and they went out into the wilderness of Shur; and they went three days in the wilderness, and found no water. (23) And when they came to Marah, they could not drink of the waters of Marah, for they were bitter: therefore, the name of it was called Marah. (24) And the people murmured against Moses, saying; What shall we drink? (25) And he cried unto the LORD; and the LORD shewed him a tree, which when he had cast into the waters, the waters were made sweet: there he made for them a statute and an ordinance, and there he proved them, (26) And said; If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the LORD thy God, and wilt do that which is right in His sight, and wilt give ear to His commandments, and keep all His statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the LORD that healeth thee.
Basically, the entire time Israel was in the wilderness, they doubted God and complained easily. They were quick to doubt that God would bring them into the lush farmlands, flowing with milk and honey. They were quick to turn to murmuring and complaining, instead of believing and trusting in spite of the many, many signs God provided to them regarding His promises and His faithfulness.
One of those important signs, yet very little understood signs, was God’s Holy Days. While the ancient Israelites were in the wilderness, many years before they came into the land where they were to plant crops, harvest those crops, and present firstfruits unto the LORD, God gave them Holy Days that required planting and harvesting. The Days of Unleavened Bread and the Wavesheaf during those days are clearly tied to Pentecost, also known as the Feast of Weeks. It is a harvest festival. The Holy Days that occur later in the year are also connected to a harvest season.
God had to bring Israel into the Promised Land for them to live out the Holy Days in a physical sense. He has His Holy Days in their specific seasons for an important spiritual analogy. As we witness God working out His Plan, step-by-step, Holy Day-by-Holy Day, this analogy becomes easier and easier to see and understand. We have the advantage of thousands of years of hindsight. And, we need to remember that God never does anything frivolously or without purpose.
Israel did not have the eyes to see or the ears to hear God’s integrity, His promises, and His purposes. May our God bless us with sharp vision and hearing so we miss nothing regarding His goodness and riches towards us.
Ben Faulkner, Pastor
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