Dear Family,
Today is Sunday, May 3, 2020, Day 22 in our Counting toward Pentecost. This is the 1st day of Week 4. It has been called the Week of the Manna.
The story of Israel’s experiences during much of this 4th week is found in Exodus 16. Although it is often referred to as the week of manna, it was a week of many happenings. Along with the gift of manna, God brought special notice to the Sabbath day, and He gave quail to Israel. There are so many lessons in this week of Counting toward Pentecost. We will be able to cover only a few of them.
Exodus 16:1 And they took their journey from Elim, and all the congregation of the children of Israel came unto the wilderness of Sin, which is between Elim and Sinai, on the fifteenth day of the second month after their departing out of the land of Egypt.
Notice the ridiculous and severe accusations Israel hurled at God and His servants, Moses and Aaron.
Exodus 16:2-3 (2) And the whole congregation of the children of Israel murmured against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness: (3) And the children of Israel said unto them, Would to God we had died by the hand of the LORD in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the flesh pots, and when we did eat bread to the full; for ye have brought us forth into this wilderness, to kill this whole assembly with hunger [emphasis ours].
Let us remember who the accuser of the brethren is (Revelation 12:10)! Israel was acting on impulses and attitudes from God’s enemy. Israel became physically hungry and afraid. The devil often uses such physical and emotional issues to turn people from God. Yet, God was completely capable and faithful. He had already provided Israel with ample proof that He would take care of them. Who did they choose to believe?
During the New Testament era of God’s plan, we know a great deal about the accusing and destructive ways of God’s enemy. We realize that our battles are spiritual, and the ultimate enemy is not flesh and blood. We are not ignorant of his devices. And, we can be armed against those tactics.
Ephesians 6:11-13 (11) Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. (12) For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. (13) Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
2 Corinthians 2:11 Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.
We prepare the horse for battle, but God provides the victory (Proverbs 21:31). May God bless us to see clearly the spiritual battle lines and give us complete triumph as we overcome to the end.
Ben Faulkner
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