WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:06.679 Good morning, everyone. We are in the book of Exodus, chapter 15, verses 22 to 27 today. 00:00:06.980 --> 00:00:10.720 For those of you who don't know me, my name is Sean. I'm one of the pastors of Trinity Cambridge Church. 00:00:11.240 --> 00:00:15.320 It's my joy and privilege to preach God's Word to you this morning. 00:00:18.539 --> 00:00:21.120 Let me pray for the reading and preaching of God's Word. 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:41.620 Heavenly Father, we live in a world that is full of bitterness. 00:00:45.380 --> 00:00:49.939 The bitterness of sin, sickness, death. 00:00:49.939 --> 00:01:05.299 But we pray that this morning you would help us to see and experience the sweetness of the gospel of Jesus Christ. 00:01:10.120 --> 00:01:15.319 We humble ourselves before you, incline our ears and our hearts to you. 00:01:16.280 --> 00:01:16.979 Speak, O Lord. 00:01:19.939 --> 00:01:22.259 In Jesus' name we pray. Amen. 00:01:24.179 --> 00:01:29.679 Please stand for the reading of God's Word, Exodus 15, verses 22 to 27. 00:01:35.299 --> 00:01:42.739 Then Moses made Israel set out from the Red Sea, and they went into the wilderness of Shur. 00:01:43.620 --> 00:01:47.640 They went three days in the wilderness and found no water. 00:01:47.640 --> 00:01:54.960 When they came to Marah, they could not drink the water of Marah because it was bitter. 00:01:56.000 --> 00:01:57.859 Therefore, it was named Marah. 00:01:58.920 --> 00:02:02.260 And the people grumbled against Moses, saying, 00:02:02.819 --> 00:02:04.260 What shall we drink? 00:02:05.659 --> 00:02:09.460 And he cried to the Lord, and the Lord showed him a log, 00:02:09.659 --> 00:02:13.379 and he threw it into the water, and the water became sweet. 00:02:13.379 --> 00:02:18.180 There the Lord made for them a statute and a rule, 00:02:18.680 --> 00:02:20.419 and there he tested them, saying, 00:02:21.019 --> 00:02:24.960 If you will diligently listen to the voice of the Lord your God, 00:02:25.240 --> 00:02:28.019 and do that which is right in his eyes, 00:02:28.259 --> 00:02:31.859 and give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, 00:02:32.400 --> 00:02:36.500 I will put none of the diseases on you that I put on the Egyptians. 00:02:36.500 --> 00:02:41.680 For I am the Lord, your healer. 00:02:43.280 --> 00:02:49.680 Then they came to Elim, where there were twelve springs of water and seventy palm trees, 00:02:50.080 --> 00:02:52.539 and they encamped there by the water. 00:02:53.180 --> 00:02:55.460 This is God's holy and authoritative Word. 00:02:56.180 --> 00:02:56.840 Please be seated. 00:02:56.840 --> 00:03:06.460 What a sudden change in tune from last week's passage to this week's passage. 00:03:07.219 --> 00:03:13.879 The triumphant singing of Yahweh's glorious victory at the Red Sea over the Egyptians and Pharaoh, 00:03:14.280 --> 00:03:19.680 and the jingling of tambourines at the Red Sea have given way now to the sound of grumbling 00:03:19.680 --> 00:03:22.879 and murmuring among the people of God. 00:03:22.879 --> 00:03:30.479 This 180 degrees turn in Israel's disposition occurred in a mere span of three days. 00:03:31.419 --> 00:03:34.939 But that's how fickle we all are as human beings, isn't it? 00:03:36.039 --> 00:03:40.019 We're like the wide-ranging and rapidly changing weather in New England. 00:03:41.240 --> 00:03:46.259 I don't know if you remember, on the morning of Wednesday, February 16th, 2022, 00:03:46.259 --> 00:03:51.060 we woke up to a frigid 14 degrees Fahrenheit while below freezing temperature. 00:03:51.060 --> 00:03:57.340 But by the afternoon, on the very next day, Thursday, February 17th, we were at 59 degrees Fahrenheit. 00:03:57.460 --> 00:03:58.039 You guys remember that? 00:04:00.539 --> 00:04:02.340 It's t-shirt weather for most of us. 00:04:03.500 --> 00:04:05.520 Cold on one day, hot on the next day. 00:04:06.099 --> 00:04:14.039 We can go from fervently blessing God one day to cursing angrily our friends and family members 00:04:14.039 --> 00:04:15.860 made in the likeness of God the next day. 00:04:15.860 --> 00:04:22.800 We can go from raising our hands in praise to God to shaking our fists at God in protest. 00:04:24.680 --> 00:04:28.680 But though Israel's attitude toward God fluctuates with their circumstances, 00:04:28.680 --> 00:04:34.180 there is one constant that does not change through Israel's journey in the wilderness, 00:04:34.460 --> 00:04:37.480 and that is the name of the Lord, Yahweh, 00:04:38.120 --> 00:04:43.860 which contains in it the promise of his faithful presence, provision, and protection. 00:04:43.860 --> 00:04:45.920 It means I will be with you. 00:04:46.639 --> 00:04:47.939 I am who I am. 00:04:49.360 --> 00:04:52.100 Like the immovable mountains and the earth beneath, 00:04:52.240 --> 00:04:54.819 the Lord remains unchanged through the seasons, 00:04:55.520 --> 00:04:59.340 the rain or shine or spring, summer, fall, winter, ups and downs. 00:05:00.199 --> 00:05:03.100 And it's for this reason that this passage teaches us this morning, 00:05:03.300 --> 00:05:05.160 that rather than grumbling against the Lord, 00:05:05.259 --> 00:05:07.860 we should cry out to him in the bitterness of our souls, 00:05:08.240 --> 00:05:09.580 for he is our healer. 00:05:09.579 --> 00:05:13.359 So we're going to talk about the bitter water and the grumbling people 00:05:13.359 --> 00:05:15.759 and the healing Lord in turn. 00:05:16.159 --> 00:05:17.240 It says in verse 22, 00:05:18.000 --> 00:05:20.659 Then Moses made Israel set out from the Red Sea, 00:05:20.759 --> 00:05:22.819 and they went into the wilderness of Shur. 00:05:23.379 --> 00:05:25.620 So this is the only time in the Pentateuch, 00:05:25.699 --> 00:05:27.379 which is the first five books of the Bible, 00:05:27.620 --> 00:05:32.459 where the verb set out or lead out occurs in a causative form in Hebrew. 00:05:32.680 --> 00:05:35.579 So Moses caused Israel to set out. 00:05:36.060 --> 00:05:37.599 He made them set out. 00:05:37.600 --> 00:05:42.760 It's almost as if the Israelites were too enraptured by their triumph at the Red Sea, 00:05:42.939 --> 00:05:44.300 too high in the moment, 00:05:44.480 --> 00:05:49.040 that they forgot that they still had the wilderness to cross into the Promised Land. 00:05:49.640 --> 00:05:51.600 They were not in the Promised Land yet. 00:05:52.439 --> 00:05:53.780 They still had a long way to go. 00:05:54.160 --> 00:05:57.040 So Moses has to make them set out. 00:05:58.160 --> 00:06:01.280 It would not be wrong to describe the crossing of the Red Sea 00:06:01.280 --> 00:06:03.500 as a kind of a birth of the nation of Israel. 00:06:03.939 --> 00:06:06.439 It's a new iteration of the people of God. 00:06:06.439 --> 00:06:11.300 And 1 Corinthians 10, 1-2 tells us that it was a baptism into Moses. 00:06:11.420 --> 00:06:13.759 That's when God's people were baptized into Moses. 00:06:14.100 --> 00:06:17.079 It's a sign of the new birth, a new life for them in that era. 00:06:17.819 --> 00:06:20.639 But after crossing the Red Sea on dry ground, 00:06:21.160 --> 00:06:23.319 after coming out of, if I may use the language, 00:06:23.600 --> 00:06:25.620 the birth canal of the Red Sea, 00:06:26.199 --> 00:06:27.980 it's as if the Israelites are unaware 00:06:27.980 --> 00:06:34.600 that they still have the rest of their lives to live in faith and obedience. 00:06:34.600 --> 00:06:39.200 That they haven't reached the Promised Land yet 00:06:39.200 --> 00:06:42.740 where they will dwell in the gracious presence of God under His rule. 00:06:43.520 --> 00:06:45.820 Sometimes I think we Christians can be like that, too. 00:06:46.580 --> 00:06:48.120 We have repented of our sins. 00:06:48.360 --> 00:06:50.400 We have been baptized in water. 00:06:50.520 --> 00:06:52.160 We have believed in Jesus for salvation. 00:06:52.640 --> 00:06:54.680 We have made public profession of that faith. 00:06:54.680 --> 00:06:57.959 But then, because we have been forgiven of our sins, 00:06:58.060 --> 00:06:59.000 we have been washed of our guilt, 00:06:59.079 --> 00:07:00.079 we celebrate that, 00:07:00.480 --> 00:07:04.079 and then we turn around and act like we have crossed the finish line already. 00:07:05.780 --> 00:07:08.400 Like the rest of our life is not there. 00:07:08.680 --> 00:07:09.860 It's just a victory lap. 00:07:11.000 --> 00:07:12.460 But no, that's not the case. 00:07:13.220 --> 00:07:14.819 Baptism is the initiation, 00:07:15.420 --> 00:07:17.420 not the culmination of the Christian life. 00:07:17.420 --> 00:07:20.699 It is the beginning and not the end. 00:07:21.580 --> 00:07:25.240 We have had several babies born in our church in recent months, 00:07:25.379 --> 00:07:26.759 which is very happy. 00:07:27.460 --> 00:07:28.560 And there's more on the way. 00:07:29.040 --> 00:07:32.080 And it's right to celebrate the birth of the precious boy or girl 00:07:32.080 --> 00:07:33.080 made in the image of God. 00:07:33.400 --> 00:07:36.460 But that birth is only the beginning of the child's life. 00:07:37.180 --> 00:07:40.840 There's still much growing and learning left for the child to do. 00:07:41.879 --> 00:07:44.960 Likewise, when the Lord delivered Israel out of their slavery in Egypt, 00:07:44.959 --> 00:07:48.000 he didn't stop by saying, let my people go. 00:07:48.439 --> 00:07:51.099 He said, let my people go that they may serve me. 00:07:52.199 --> 00:07:53.439 Israel has been freed. 00:07:53.579 --> 00:07:57.199 They've been delivered from the pursuing Egyptian army through the Red Sea. 00:07:57.519 --> 00:07:59.399 But now they must serve the Lord. 00:07:59.500 --> 00:08:01.079 Now they must obey the Lord. 00:08:01.159 --> 00:08:05.120 Now they must worship the Lord and journey with him into the promised land 00:08:05.120 --> 00:08:07.299 while he will rule over them in his gracious way. 00:08:08.740 --> 00:08:10.899 So let me ask you, my Christian brothers and sisters, 00:08:10.899 --> 00:08:15.000 are you purposefully journeying toward the promised land 00:08:15.000 --> 00:08:18.719 or are you wandering aimlessly in the wilderness? 00:08:19.719 --> 00:08:21.039 Are you obeying the Lord? 00:08:21.479 --> 00:08:23.359 Are you serving the Lord with your life? 00:08:23.699 --> 00:08:24.659 Are you worshiping him? 00:08:26.379 --> 00:08:31.319 That's why Moses leads Israel out of the Red Sea and from the Red Sea. 00:08:32.559 --> 00:08:34.860 And of course we know from the rest of the book 00:08:34.860 --> 00:08:37.159 that it's not ultimately Moses' direction, 00:08:37.159 --> 00:08:40.139 but it's at the Lord's direction that Israel sets out 00:08:40.139 --> 00:08:42.719 and goes into the wilderness of Shur. 00:08:43.399 --> 00:08:45.199 And it says in verses 22 to 23, 00:08:45.360 --> 00:08:48.299 they went three days in the wilderness and found no water. 00:08:49.159 --> 00:08:50.480 When they came to Marah, 00:08:50.600 --> 00:08:53.980 they could not drink the water of Marah because it was bitter. 00:08:54.899 --> 00:08:56.679 Therefore it was named Marah. 00:08:57.799 --> 00:09:01.439 Think about how crucial bringing a bottle of water is 00:09:01.439 --> 00:09:02.939 even on a half-day hike. 00:09:02.940 --> 00:09:07.800 But the Israelites have been journeying in the wilderness for three days 00:09:07.800 --> 00:09:09.860 in a desert climate, under the hot sun, 00:09:10.000 --> 00:09:11.900 with dry sand beneath their feet. 00:09:12.540 --> 00:09:14.940 People estimate that the Israelites have probably traveled 00:09:15.480 --> 00:09:17.320 about 40 miles or so by this point. 00:09:18.060 --> 00:09:21.000 And remember, this is not a trek of experienced hikers. 00:09:21.160 --> 00:09:25.700 This is men and women, their children, and their livestock, 00:09:26.220 --> 00:09:27.900 and they are carrying their luggage. 00:09:28.620 --> 00:09:29.740 They get thirsty. 00:09:29.880 --> 00:09:30.880 They consume a lot of water. 00:09:30.879 --> 00:09:34.600 I imagine parents have heard a lot of, 00:09:35.100 --> 00:09:37.460 Mom, Dad, I'm thirsty. 00:09:38.759 --> 00:09:40.259 Can I have some water, please? 00:09:41.679 --> 00:09:44.179 Probably on the first day, they were more generous. 00:09:45.279 --> 00:09:46.559 Perhaps on the second day, 00:09:46.840 --> 00:09:49.120 with no water in sight in the wilderness, 00:09:49.960 --> 00:09:52.980 the heads of households begin rationing out the water more frugally. 00:09:54.039 --> 00:09:56.279 Hey, you already had a sip 30 minutes ago. 00:09:56.539 --> 00:09:58.600 You can't have another sip for another hour and a half. 00:09:58.600 --> 00:10:01.720 Make sure you take a sip and no more, 00:10:02.680 --> 00:10:04.300 just enough to wet your parched mouth. 00:10:05.519 --> 00:10:09.540 Take care not to spill any of it because we don't have any we could waste. 00:10:10.639 --> 00:10:14.240 And as the sun sets on another day and it rises, 00:10:14.740 --> 00:10:16.540 on the next day, they start journeying again, 00:10:16.680 --> 00:10:19.000 and their anxiety grows with each step 00:10:19.000 --> 00:10:21.379 when they don't see any water on the horizon. 00:10:21.379 --> 00:10:24.539 They don't see signs of any living things. 00:10:25.299 --> 00:10:26.159 And then all of a sudden, 00:10:26.259 --> 00:10:28.340 they hear people yelling that, 00:10:28.519 --> 00:10:29.639 hey, there's water ahead. 00:10:29.860 --> 00:10:31.840 This word is getting passed down from the front 00:10:31.840 --> 00:10:34.360 that they have come across a body of water. 00:10:34.460 --> 00:10:38.039 So people hasten their steps with fresh hope and expectation, 00:10:38.419 --> 00:10:39.460 and some of them run, 00:10:39.580 --> 00:10:41.399 and the fastest to reach the water, 00:10:41.500 --> 00:10:44.480 they all greedily and impatiently 00:10:44.480 --> 00:10:45.879 lapped the water onto their mouths, 00:10:45.879 --> 00:10:47.980 and then, yuck, 00:10:48.879 --> 00:10:50.179 you spit it all out. 00:10:53.799 --> 00:10:55.779 It's bitter, brackish water. 00:10:56.639 --> 00:10:57.759 It's not drinkable. 00:10:59.879 --> 00:11:02.799 There are lakes in that region called the Bitter Lakes 00:11:02.799 --> 00:11:06.360 precisely because of the minerals dissolved there, 00:11:06.779 --> 00:11:08.039 the saline, you know, 00:11:08.200 --> 00:11:09.360 the levels in the water, 00:11:09.480 --> 00:11:11.080 it makes it brackish, not drinkable, 00:11:11.159 --> 00:11:12.759 just like you can't drink ocean water. 00:11:12.759 --> 00:11:16.200 And the name of the pool, 00:11:16.659 --> 00:11:18.039 because of that, is named Marah, 00:11:18.279 --> 00:11:19.460 which in Hebrew means bitter. 00:11:20.379 --> 00:11:21.500 It's repeated three times, 00:11:21.700 --> 00:11:23.399 Marah, Marah, Marah, 00:11:23.679 --> 00:11:24.819 bitter in verse 23, 00:11:24.960 --> 00:11:28.519 just to highlight how bitter that experience was 00:11:28.519 --> 00:11:29.179 for the Israelites. 00:11:29.279 --> 00:11:30.639 Just imagine being in their shoes. 00:11:32.159 --> 00:11:33.379 And the word bitter, of course, 00:11:33.480 --> 00:11:35.919 recalls Exodus 1, 13 to 14, 00:11:36.080 --> 00:11:37.740 where it says that the Egyptians ruthlessly 00:11:37.740 --> 00:11:40.000 made the people of Israel work as slaves 00:11:40.000 --> 00:11:42.179 and made their lives bitter, 00:11:42.179 --> 00:11:43.839 with hard service. 00:11:45.539 --> 00:11:46.899 And as a perennial reminder 00:11:46.899 --> 00:11:48.359 of their bitter slavery in Egypt, 00:11:48.459 --> 00:11:50.819 the Lord commanded them to eat the Passover meal 00:11:50.819 --> 00:11:52.459 with bitter herbs, 00:11:52.539 --> 00:11:53.759 in Exodus 12, verse 8. 00:11:54.399 --> 00:11:56.059 So then Israel's experience 00:11:56.059 --> 00:11:58.239 at the waters of Marah 00:11:58.239 --> 00:11:59.939 is a reminder to them 00:11:59.939 --> 00:12:01.839 of their bitter past. 00:12:03.620 --> 00:12:04.859 They're reminded of Egypt. 00:12:06.379 --> 00:12:08.000 And as they continue to face hardship 00:12:08.000 --> 00:12:08.539 in the wilderness, 00:12:08.859 --> 00:12:10.439 Israelites will, at some point, 00:12:10.440 --> 00:12:11.400 boldly say 00:12:11.400 --> 00:12:12.400 that they wish 00:12:12.400 --> 00:12:13.660 they had never left Egypt. 00:12:14.600 --> 00:12:15.320 They felt like 00:12:15.320 --> 00:12:16.880 they were better off in Egypt. 00:12:19.940 --> 00:12:21.000 They're not saying that 00:12:21.000 --> 00:12:22.220 at this point yet, 00:12:22.500 --> 00:12:24.220 but they're probably thinking it. 00:12:25.240 --> 00:12:27.020 There's so much bitterness here, too, 00:12:27.140 --> 00:12:28.040 outside of Egypt. 00:12:28.760 --> 00:12:29.540 At least in Egypt, 00:12:29.620 --> 00:12:30.580 we knew what to expect. 00:12:31.160 --> 00:12:31.780 But here, 00:12:31.980 --> 00:12:32.980 there's so much unknown. 00:12:34.220 --> 00:12:34.880 We don't know 00:12:34.880 --> 00:12:35.860 when we will get to water, 00:12:36.060 --> 00:12:36.720 when we will reach 00:12:36.720 --> 00:12:37.500 the promised land. 00:12:38.500 --> 00:12:39.740 Maybe we shouldn't have left Egypt 00:12:39.740 --> 00:12:40.540 in the first place. 00:12:42.040 --> 00:12:43.820 Maybe there are recent converts here, 00:12:44.180 --> 00:12:44.320 too, 00:12:44.500 --> 00:12:45.320 young Christians 00:12:45.320 --> 00:12:46.480 who are feeling 00:12:46.480 --> 00:12:47.580 the same temptations 00:12:47.580 --> 00:12:49.500 that Israel felt at Marah. 00:12:50.060 --> 00:12:51.720 Maybe you're so preoccupied 00:12:51.720 --> 00:12:52.680 with the bitterness 00:12:52.680 --> 00:12:54.100 and the bitter circumstances 00:12:54.100 --> 00:12:55.100 of your own lives 00:12:55.100 --> 00:12:57.320 that now that your bitterness 00:12:57.320 --> 00:12:58.820 of past slavery to sin 00:12:58.820 --> 00:13:00.000 seems like a distant memory. 00:13:01.000 --> 00:13:01.740 And you're wondering 00:13:01.740 --> 00:13:02.259 whether or not 00:13:02.259 --> 00:13:03.080 you made a mistake 00:13:03.080 --> 00:13:04.259 in deciding to follow Jesus. 00:13:04.259 --> 00:13:06.419 Perhaps you think 00:13:06.419 --> 00:13:07.779 your life was more carefree 00:13:07.779 --> 00:13:08.840 and pleasurable 00:13:08.840 --> 00:13:10.120 without the discipline 00:13:10.120 --> 00:13:10.980 of Christian obedience. 00:13:12.240 --> 00:13:13.059 Maybe you don't want 00:13:13.059 --> 00:13:14.659 to carry the cross of Jesus 00:13:14.659 --> 00:13:16.679 for Christian discipleship. 00:13:17.080 --> 00:13:17.639 Maybe you miss 00:13:17.639 --> 00:13:18.819 your friendship with the world, 00:13:18.939 --> 00:13:19.740 the affirmation 00:13:19.740 --> 00:13:20.419 and acceptance 00:13:20.419 --> 00:13:21.100 and approval 00:13:21.100 --> 00:13:22.220 of this sinful world. 00:13:22.939 --> 00:13:24.539 But don't let Satan fool you. 00:13:25.620 --> 00:13:26.960 He is a cruel tyrant 00:13:26.960 --> 00:13:28.519 while Jesus, our King, 00:13:28.600 --> 00:13:30.360 is gracious and merciful, 00:13:31.000 --> 00:13:32.439 gentle and lowly in heart. 00:13:34.259 --> 00:13:35.439 In the movie, 00:13:36.139 --> 00:13:38.159 I guess in the old, 00:13:38.259 --> 00:13:38.919 really old movie now, 00:13:38.980 --> 00:13:40.039 in the movie Braveheart, 00:13:40.960 --> 00:13:43.279 the Scottish are enslaved 00:13:43.279 --> 00:13:44.200 by the English 00:13:44.200 --> 00:13:46.039 and William Wallace 00:13:46.039 --> 00:13:46.879 leads the Scottish 00:13:46.879 --> 00:13:47.939 to fight for their freedom 00:13:47.939 --> 00:13:49.480 and in one scene 00:13:49.480 --> 00:13:50.600 when trying to motivate 00:13:50.600 --> 00:13:52.580 fearful Scottish soldiers 00:13:52.580 --> 00:13:53.620 who are just overwhelmed 00:13:53.620 --> 00:13:55.200 aside of the vastly 00:13:55.200 --> 00:13:57.299 greater English army, 00:13:58.080 --> 00:13:59.360 he says this famous line, 00:13:59.439 --> 00:13:59.639 he says, 00:13:59.639 --> 00:14:01.059 fight and you may die, 00:14:01.639 --> 00:14:03.299 run and you'll live. 00:14:04.259 --> 00:14:05.179 At least a while. 00:14:06.419 --> 00:14:07.659 And dying in your beds 00:14:07.659 --> 00:14:08.759 many years from now, 00:14:09.539 --> 00:14:10.200 would you be willing 00:14:10.200 --> 00:14:11.720 to trade all the days 00:14:11.720 --> 00:14:13.500 from this day to that 00:14:13.500 --> 00:14:15.259 for one chance, 00:14:15.799 --> 00:14:16.899 just one chance 00:14:16.899 --> 00:14:17.960 to come back here 00:14:17.960 --> 00:14:19.259 and tell our enemies 00:14:19.259 --> 00:14:21.480 that they may take our lives 00:14:21.480 --> 00:14:22.700 but they'll never take 00:14:22.700 --> 00:14:23.840 our freedom. 00:14:25.919 --> 00:14:27.580 The day you become a Christian, 00:14:27.779 --> 00:14:28.659 you become a target 00:14:28.659 --> 00:14:29.899 of our spiritual enemy, 00:14:30.379 --> 00:14:30.679 Satan. 00:14:30.679 --> 00:14:32.639 He will oppose us 00:14:32.639 --> 00:14:34.579 and he will sorely tempt us 00:14:34.579 --> 00:14:35.639 because we follow 00:14:35.639 --> 00:14:36.620 another prince, 00:14:37.259 --> 00:14:38.079 another king. 00:14:39.079 --> 00:14:39.639 But even though 00:14:39.639 --> 00:14:40.620 there are struggles 00:14:40.620 --> 00:14:41.299 and sufferings 00:14:41.299 --> 00:14:41.839 that are peculiar 00:14:41.839 --> 00:14:42.539 to the Christian, 00:14:42.699 --> 00:14:43.559 to die free 00:14:43.559 --> 00:14:44.739 in the Lord's service 00:14:44.739 --> 00:14:46.059 is infinitely better 00:14:46.059 --> 00:14:47.519 than to live 00:14:47.519 --> 00:14:48.159 as slaves 00:14:48.159 --> 00:14:48.959 to sin and Satan. 00:14:51.199 --> 00:14:52.459 Psalm 8410 says, 00:14:52.539 --> 00:14:53.099 for a day 00:14:53.099 --> 00:14:54.339 in your courts 00:14:54.339 --> 00:14:55.059 is better 00:14:55.059 --> 00:14:56.639 than a thousand elsewhere. 00:14:56.639 --> 00:14:57.879 I would rather 00:14:57.879 --> 00:14:58.860 be a doorkeeper 00:14:58.860 --> 00:15:00.120 in the house of my God 00:15:00.120 --> 00:15:01.120 than dwell 00:15:01.120 --> 00:15:02.539 in the tents of wickedness. 00:15:04.220 --> 00:15:05.080 And there's a reason 00:15:05.080 --> 00:15:05.620 why the Lord 00:15:05.620 --> 00:15:06.939 brings Israel to Marah. 00:15:07.319 --> 00:15:08.379 Verse 26 tells us 00:15:08.379 --> 00:15:08.819 that this was 00:15:08.819 --> 00:15:09.519 the Lord's way 00:15:09.519 --> 00:15:10.939 of testing Israel. 00:15:11.899 --> 00:15:13.240 Will they trust God 00:15:13.240 --> 00:15:14.059 and continue 00:15:14.059 --> 00:15:15.379 to listen to his voice 00:15:15.379 --> 00:15:16.439 and do what is right 00:15:16.439 --> 00:15:17.639 in God's eyes 00:15:17.639 --> 00:15:18.500 and not what is right 00:15:18.500 --> 00:15:19.379 in their own eyes? 00:15:20.939 --> 00:15:22.319 And in the Christian life 00:15:22.319 --> 00:15:23.000 also testing 00:15:23.000 --> 00:15:24.240 often follows triumph. 00:15:24.980 --> 00:15:26.299 The triumph of the Red Sea 00:15:26.299 --> 00:15:26.819 is followed 00:15:26.819 --> 00:15:27.740 by the trials 00:15:27.740 --> 00:15:28.879 of Marah, 00:15:28.959 --> 00:15:29.959 the test at Marah. 00:15:30.419 --> 00:15:30.699 Similarly, 00:15:30.819 --> 00:15:31.459 in Matthew 3, 00:15:31.599 --> 00:15:32.339 we witness Jesus' 00:15:32.539 --> 00:15:33.639 triumphant baptism 00:15:33.639 --> 00:15:34.559 where the Holy Spirit 00:15:34.559 --> 00:15:35.639 descends upon him 00:15:35.639 --> 00:15:37.559 in likeness of a dove 00:15:37.559 --> 00:15:39.679 and then the Father 00:15:39.679 --> 00:15:41.099 speaks from heaven 00:15:41.099 --> 00:15:41.559 saying, 00:15:41.799 --> 00:15:42.979 this is my beloved Son 00:15:42.979 --> 00:15:43.740 in whom I am 00:15:43.740 --> 00:15:44.779 well pleased. 00:15:45.099 --> 00:15:45.579 But then, 00:15:45.699 --> 00:15:46.559 right after that baptism, 00:15:46.679 --> 00:15:47.979 Jesus immediately says, 00:15:48.179 --> 00:15:49.419 led into the wilderness 00:15:49.419 --> 00:15:51.240 by the Spirit. 00:15:51.879 --> 00:15:52.399 Why? 00:15:52.620 --> 00:15:53.839 To be tempted 00:15:53.839 --> 00:15:54.539 by the devil. 00:15:54.539 --> 00:15:54.620 So, 00:15:55.500 --> 00:15:57.679 testing follows triumph. 00:15:58.459 --> 00:15:59.559 In 1 Corinthians 10, 00:15:59.620 --> 00:16:00.439 after pointing out 00:16:00.439 --> 00:16:01.519 that many of the Israelites 00:16:01.519 --> 00:16:03.719 failed to pass 00:16:03.719 --> 00:16:04.439 the test of God 00:16:04.439 --> 00:16:04.899 in the wilderness 00:16:04.899 --> 00:16:05.980 even after crossing 00:16:05.980 --> 00:16:06.559 the Red Sea, 00:16:06.959 --> 00:16:07.799 Paul writes in verses 00:16:07.799 --> 00:16:08.639 11 and 13, 00:16:08.759 --> 00:16:09.439 now these things 00:16:09.439 --> 00:16:10.000 happened to them 00:16:10.000 --> 00:16:10.819 as an example, 00:16:11.539 --> 00:16:12.339 but they were written down 00:16:12.339 --> 00:16:13.519 for our instruction 00:16:13.519 --> 00:16:14.459 on whom the end 00:16:14.459 --> 00:16:15.620 of the ages has come. 00:16:16.199 --> 00:16:16.439 Therefore, 00:16:16.579 --> 00:16:17.639 let anyone who thinks 00:16:17.639 --> 00:16:18.879 that he stands 00:16:18.879 --> 00:16:19.959 take heed 00:16:19.959 --> 00:16:20.819 lest he fall. 00:16:20.820 --> 00:16:22.440 No temptation 00:16:22.440 --> 00:16:23.500 has overtaken you 00:16:23.500 --> 00:16:24.340 that is not common 00:16:24.340 --> 00:16:24.800 to man. 00:16:25.500 --> 00:16:26.379 God is faithful 00:16:26.379 --> 00:16:27.280 and he will not 00:16:27.280 --> 00:16:28.080 let you be tempted 00:16:28.080 --> 00:16:29.180 beyond your ability, 00:16:29.520 --> 00:16:30.400 but with the temptation 00:16:30.400 --> 00:16:31.400 he will also provide 00:16:31.400 --> 00:16:32.180 a way of escape 00:16:32.180 --> 00:16:33.160 that you may be able 00:16:33.160 --> 00:16:34.100 to endure it. 00:16:35.260 --> 00:16:36.400 The Lord himself 00:16:36.400 --> 00:16:37.480 tempts no one 00:16:37.480 --> 00:16:38.460 as James 1.13 00:16:38.460 --> 00:16:39.140 says clearly, 00:16:39.620 --> 00:16:40.280 but scripture also 00:16:40.280 --> 00:16:41.220 often speaks of 00:16:41.220 --> 00:16:42.540 the testing of our faith 00:16:42.540 --> 00:16:43.760 that the Lord brings. 00:16:44.840 --> 00:16:45.740 And that testing 00:16:45.740 --> 00:16:46.220 of our faith 00:16:46.220 --> 00:16:47.220 is intended to produce 00:16:47.220 --> 00:16:48.200 steadfastness. 00:16:48.200 --> 00:16:50.460 We are lured 00:16:50.460 --> 00:16:51.400 into temptation 00:16:51.400 --> 00:16:52.940 by our own sinful desires 00:16:52.940 --> 00:16:53.540 and the devil 00:16:53.540 --> 00:16:54.300 who tempts us, 00:16:54.420 --> 00:16:55.379 but the Lord 00:16:55.379 --> 00:16:56.900 does allow trials 00:16:56.900 --> 00:16:57.580 in our lives 00:16:57.580 --> 00:16:59.920 in order to test us. 00:17:00.320 --> 00:17:00.940 And the difference 00:17:00.940 --> 00:17:01.480 is this, 00:17:01.660 --> 00:17:02.680 the devil tempts us 00:17:02.680 --> 00:17:03.460 to make us fall. 00:17:04.960 --> 00:17:05.799 He tempts us 00:17:05.799 --> 00:17:06.920 to see our downfall. 00:17:07.180 --> 00:17:08.440 The Lord tests us 00:17:08.440 --> 00:17:09.860 to prove our faith, 00:17:10.559 --> 00:17:11.539 to build us up, 00:17:11.700 --> 00:17:12.380 to give us 00:17:12.380 --> 00:17:13.340 greater assurance. 00:17:14.180 --> 00:17:15.420 So 1 Peter 1.67 00:17:15.420 --> 00:17:16.240 teaches us 00:17:16.240 --> 00:17:17.480 that like gold 00:17:17.480 --> 00:17:18.680 that is tested by fire, 00:17:18.819 --> 00:17:19.559 various trials 00:17:19.559 --> 00:17:20.059 in our lives, 00:17:20.360 --> 00:17:21.480 test the genuineness 00:17:21.480 --> 00:17:22.240 of our faith. 00:17:22.640 --> 00:17:23.559 And each time 00:17:23.559 --> 00:17:24.480 we pass the test 00:17:24.480 --> 00:17:25.000 from the Lord, 00:17:25.079 --> 00:17:26.019 we are more assured 00:17:26.019 --> 00:17:27.220 of the genuineness 00:17:27.220 --> 00:17:27.799 of our faith 00:17:27.799 --> 00:17:28.819 and therefore also 00:17:28.819 --> 00:17:29.519 more assured 00:17:29.519 --> 00:17:30.579 of the eternal glory 00:17:30.579 --> 00:17:31.400 that awaits us. 00:17:31.960 --> 00:17:32.680 And that's why 00:17:32.680 --> 00:17:33.980 the Lord is testing Israel 00:17:33.980 --> 00:17:34.279 here, 00:17:34.380 --> 00:17:35.500 not to make them fall, 00:17:36.059 --> 00:17:37.039 but to build them up, 00:17:37.120 --> 00:17:38.220 to prove the genuineness 00:17:38.220 --> 00:17:38.900 of their faith. 00:17:40.460 --> 00:17:41.299 And verse 24 00:17:41.299 --> 00:17:41.900 tells us 00:17:41.900 --> 00:17:42.860 how the Israelites 00:17:42.860 --> 00:17:44.259 fared with the test. 00:17:45.039 --> 00:17:45.440 It says, 00:17:45.440 --> 00:17:46.220 and the people 00:17:46.220 --> 00:17:48.360 grumbled against Moses 00:17:48.360 --> 00:17:49.279 saying, 00:17:49.600 --> 00:17:50.660 what shall we drink? 00:17:52.340 --> 00:17:54.140 That's a passive-aggressive question. 00:17:55.720 --> 00:17:57.380 It's plain to everybody there 00:17:57.380 --> 00:17:58.460 that there's no water 00:17:58.460 --> 00:17:59.100 to drink. 00:17:59.980 --> 00:18:00.900 So why in the world 00:18:00.900 --> 00:18:01.900 are they asking Moses, 00:18:02.140 --> 00:18:03.320 what shall we drink? 00:18:04.240 --> 00:18:05.259 It's not like Moses 00:18:05.259 --> 00:18:06.380 can gargle some water 00:18:06.380 --> 00:18:06.820 in his mouth 00:18:06.820 --> 00:18:07.740 and then spit it out 00:18:07.740 --> 00:18:08.539 like a bit of filter, 00:18:08.680 --> 00:18:08.840 right? 00:18:10.640 --> 00:18:12.000 Why are they questioning Moses? 00:18:12.000 --> 00:18:14.720 What they're saying is this, 00:18:14.799 --> 00:18:14.980 well, 00:18:15.119 --> 00:18:15.359 Moses, 00:18:15.460 --> 00:18:16.259 you brought us out here. 00:18:16.859 --> 00:18:17.519 You must have 00:18:17.519 --> 00:18:18.420 had some kind of plan, 00:18:18.480 --> 00:18:18.680 right? 00:18:20.500 --> 00:18:21.079 I don't know 00:18:21.079 --> 00:18:21.980 if you realize yet 00:18:21.980 --> 00:18:22.299 or not, 00:18:22.380 --> 00:18:22.579 Moses, 00:18:22.759 --> 00:18:23.900 but we are thirsty 00:18:23.900 --> 00:18:24.819 and we can't go on 00:18:24.819 --> 00:18:25.599 for much longer. 00:18:26.079 --> 00:18:26.960 What are you going 00:18:26.960 --> 00:18:28.019 to do about it? 00:18:29.500 --> 00:18:30.480 But their grumbling 00:18:30.480 --> 00:18:32.039 is not ultimately 00:18:32.039 --> 00:18:33.180 against Moses either. 00:18:33.980 --> 00:18:35.160 It's against the Lord. 00:18:36.220 --> 00:18:37.160 In the next chapter, 00:18:37.259 --> 00:18:38.079 we will see the Israelites 00:18:38.079 --> 00:18:39.220 grumble again 00:18:39.220 --> 00:18:40.380 against Moses 00:18:40.380 --> 00:18:41.000 and Aaron 00:18:41.000 --> 00:18:42.260 and this time 00:18:42.260 --> 00:18:42.900 about not having 00:18:42.900 --> 00:18:44.140 enough bread and meat 00:18:44.140 --> 00:18:46.280 and Moses says to them 00:18:46.280 --> 00:18:46.920 in verse 8, 00:18:47.060 --> 00:18:48.240 the Lord has heard 00:18:48.240 --> 00:18:48.800 your grumbling 00:18:48.800 --> 00:18:49.900 that you grumble 00:18:49.900 --> 00:18:50.720 against him. 00:18:50.980 --> 00:18:51.700 What are we? 00:18:52.160 --> 00:18:52.920 Your grumbling 00:18:52.920 --> 00:18:54.420 is not against us 00:18:54.420 --> 00:18:55.980 but against the Lord. 00:18:57.040 --> 00:18:58.420 Why does Moses say this? 00:18:58.500 --> 00:18:59.780 Because even though 00:18:59.780 --> 00:19:00.600 Moses might be 00:19:00.600 --> 00:19:01.540 immediately responsible 00:19:01.540 --> 00:19:02.460 for leading the Israelites 00:19:02.460 --> 00:19:03.240 out of Egypt 00:19:03.240 --> 00:19:04.960 and out of the Red Sea 00:19:04.960 --> 00:19:05.660 and into the wilderness, 00:19:06.120 --> 00:19:07.340 he's not ultimately 00:19:07.340 --> 00:19:08.040 responsible 00:19:08.040 --> 00:19:09.360 because all this 00:19:09.360 --> 00:19:09.840 is happening 00:19:09.839 --> 00:19:10.740 under God's 00:19:10.740 --> 00:19:11.639 sovereign guidance. 00:19:12.720 --> 00:19:13.720 It was the Lord 00:19:13.720 --> 00:19:14.779 who appointed Moses 00:19:14.779 --> 00:19:15.519 to lead Israel. 00:19:15.859 --> 00:19:16.759 It was the Lord 00:19:16.759 --> 00:19:17.980 who sent Moses 00:19:17.980 --> 00:19:18.599 into Egypt. 00:19:18.919 --> 00:19:19.720 It was the Lord 00:19:19.720 --> 00:19:20.519 who used Moses 00:19:20.519 --> 00:19:21.279 to bring Israel 00:19:21.279 --> 00:19:22.599 out into the wilderness 00:19:22.599 --> 00:19:23.259 of Shur. 00:19:24.199 --> 00:19:25.259 So even though 00:19:25.259 --> 00:19:25.839 the Israelites 00:19:25.839 --> 00:19:27.159 don't dare openly 00:19:27.159 --> 00:19:27.819 to grumble 00:19:27.819 --> 00:19:28.619 against God, 00:19:28.759 --> 00:19:30.240 that is in reality 00:19:30.240 --> 00:19:31.619 what they are doing. 00:19:32.879 --> 00:19:33.500 And that's what 00:19:33.500 --> 00:19:35.299 we often do also. 00:19:35.299 --> 00:19:37.619 we grumble 00:19:37.619 --> 00:19:39.119 against our president 00:19:39.119 --> 00:19:40.799 because of inflation. 00:19:41.980 --> 00:19:43.159 We grumble 00:19:43.159 --> 00:19:44.359 against our boss 00:19:44.359 --> 00:19:44.980 at work 00:19:44.980 --> 00:19:46.359 for the long 00:19:46.359 --> 00:19:47.039 hard hours. 00:19:47.460 --> 00:19:48.500 We grumble 00:19:48.500 --> 00:19:49.759 against our parents 00:19:49.759 --> 00:19:50.879 or against 00:19:50.879 --> 00:19:51.539 our spouses 00:19:51.539 --> 00:19:52.059 at home. 00:19:52.980 --> 00:19:54.659 But underneath it all 00:19:54.659 --> 00:19:55.519 we are grumbling 00:19:55.519 --> 00:19:56.919 against the Lord 00:19:56.919 --> 00:19:59.539 because he is 00:19:59.539 --> 00:20:00.359 ultimately in charge. 00:20:00.359 --> 00:20:03.000 if you knew 00:20:03.000 --> 00:20:03.519 how to rule 00:20:03.519 --> 00:20:04.339 the universe better, 00:20:05.019 --> 00:20:05.679 if you knew 00:20:05.679 --> 00:20:06.579 what I really needed 00:20:06.579 --> 00:20:06.979 God, 00:20:07.579 --> 00:20:08.119 these things 00:20:08.119 --> 00:20:08.619 wouldn't be 00:20:08.619 --> 00:20:09.419 happening to me. 00:20:12.159 --> 00:20:13.039 This is why 00:20:13.039 --> 00:20:13.459 the Bible 00:20:13.459 --> 00:20:14.339 considers grumbling 00:20:14.339 --> 00:20:15.279 to be such a grave 00:20:15.279 --> 00:20:15.679 sin. 00:20:16.500 --> 00:20:17.379 In Jude 15 00:20:17.379 --> 00:20:17.859 to 16 00:20:17.859 --> 00:20:19.539 it speaks of the day 00:20:19.539 --> 00:20:20.019 when the Lord 00:20:20.019 --> 00:20:20.659 will return 00:20:20.659 --> 00:20:21.699 to execute judgment. 00:20:22.079 --> 00:20:22.479 It says, 00:20:22.480 --> 00:20:23.180 on all 00:20:23.180 --> 00:20:24.039 and to convict 00:20:24.039 --> 00:20:25.259 all the ungodly 00:20:25.259 --> 00:20:26.160 of all their deeds 00:20:26.160 --> 00:20:26.900 of ungodliness 00:20:26.900 --> 00:20:28.500 that they have committed 00:20:28.500 --> 00:20:29.880 in such an ungodly way 00:20:29.880 --> 00:20:31.000 and of all the harsh things 00:20:31.000 --> 00:20:32.360 that ungodly sinners 00:20:32.360 --> 00:20:33.460 have spoken against them. 00:20:33.539 --> 00:20:34.259 That's a lot 00:20:34.259 --> 00:20:35.120 of ungodliness. 00:20:35.640 --> 00:20:36.339 And what do they have 00:20:36.339 --> 00:20:36.700 in mind? 00:20:36.779 --> 00:20:37.640 What is this great 00:20:37.640 --> 00:20:38.339 ungodliness 00:20:38.339 --> 00:20:39.420 that God's going to judge? 00:20:39.500 --> 00:20:39.880 It says, 00:20:40.360 --> 00:20:41.220 these are 00:20:41.220 --> 00:20:42.460 grumblers, 00:20:43.539 --> 00:20:44.339 malcontents, 00:20:45.160 --> 00:20:45.980 following their own 00:20:45.980 --> 00:20:46.799 sinful desires. 00:20:47.460 --> 00:20:48.200 They are loud mouth 00:20:48.200 --> 00:20:48.660 boasters 00:20:48.660 --> 00:20:49.759 showing favoritism 00:20:49.759 --> 00:20:50.680 to gain advantage. 00:20:50.680 --> 00:20:52.360 Grumblers 00:20:52.360 --> 00:20:53.420 and malcontents 00:20:53.420 --> 00:20:54.400 had this list 00:20:54.400 --> 00:20:55.380 of ungodly sinners 00:20:55.380 --> 00:20:55.940 in Jude 00:20:55.940 --> 00:20:56.539 who warrant 00:20:56.539 --> 00:20:57.600 the judgment of God. 00:20:59.220 --> 00:21:00.160 This is probably 00:21:00.160 --> 00:21:01.620 surprising for many of us 00:21:01.620 --> 00:21:02.440 because we don't tend 00:21:02.440 --> 00:21:03.220 to think of grumbling 00:21:03.220 --> 00:21:04.519 as a serious sin. 00:21:05.120 --> 00:21:05.539 In fact, 00:21:05.640 --> 00:21:06.299 in our society 00:21:06.299 --> 00:21:07.519 grumbling is increasingly 00:21:07.519 --> 00:21:09.320 seen in a positive light. 00:21:10.440 --> 00:21:11.940 In a 2015 article 00:21:11.940 --> 00:21:12.940 in the New Yorker 00:21:12.940 --> 00:21:13.920 the editor 00:21:13.920 --> 00:21:15.000 Josh Rothman 00:21:15.000 --> 00:21:16.340 makes some astute 00:21:16.340 --> 00:21:16.860 observations 00:21:16.860 --> 00:21:17.700 about grumbling 00:21:17.700 --> 00:21:18.799 that's even more relevant 00:21:18.799 --> 00:21:20.019 in 2022 00:21:20.019 --> 00:21:21.299 quote, 00:21:21.700 --> 00:21:22.779 it's no surprise 00:21:22.779 --> 00:21:23.480 that grumbling 00:21:23.480 --> 00:21:24.099 has become 00:21:24.099 --> 00:21:25.059 a central aspect 00:21:25.059 --> 00:21:26.059 of online life. 00:21:26.700 --> 00:21:27.279 If HTML 00:21:27.279 --> 00:21:28.259 had a tag 00:21:28.259 --> 00:21:29.200 how much of Facebook, 00:21:29.400 --> 00:21:29.599 Twitter, 00:21:29.720 --> 00:21:30.599 and especially Yelp 00:21:30.599 --> 00:21:31.200 would be surrounded 00:21:31.200 --> 00:21:32.000 by grumbling? 00:21:32.940 --> 00:21:33.740 Tumblr too 00:21:33.740 --> 00:21:34.440 might be renamed 00:21:34.440 --> 00:21:34.960 grumbler. 00:21:35.839 --> 00:21:36.160 Grumbling 00:21:36.160 --> 00:21:37.200 being simultaneously 00:21:37.200 --> 00:21:38.039 entertaining, 00:21:38.299 --> 00:21:38.819 elevating, 00:21:39.079 --> 00:21:39.579 competitive, 00:21:39.879 --> 00:21:40.460 and social 00:21:40.460 --> 00:21:41.859 is a natural fit 00:21:41.859 --> 00:21:42.400 for the web 00:21:42.400 --> 00:21:43.539 and the web 00:21:43.539 --> 00:21:44.000 in turn 00:21:44.000 --> 00:21:45.559 has enobled 00:21:45.559 --> 00:21:46.079 grumbling. 00:21:46.759 --> 00:21:47.680 In recent years 00:21:47.680 --> 00:21:48.560 the web's culture 00:21:48.560 --> 00:21:49.500 of mass grumbling 00:21:49.500 --> 00:21:50.080 has produced 00:21:50.080 --> 00:21:50.880 a new kind 00:21:50.880 --> 00:21:51.640 of distributed 00:21:51.640 --> 00:21:52.860 social critique. 00:21:53.700 --> 00:21:54.560 This has lent 00:21:54.560 --> 00:21:55.140 to grumbling 00:21:55.140 --> 00:21:55.779 an aura 00:21:55.779 --> 00:21:56.779 of dignity, 00:21:57.380 --> 00:21:58.180 even virtue. 00:21:59.680 --> 00:22:00.299 Grumbling is, 00:22:00.519 --> 00:22:00.880 after all, 00:22:00.900 --> 00:22:02.060 a form of resistance 00:22:02.060 --> 00:22:03.519 and there are 00:22:03.519 --> 00:22:04.380 few things 00:22:04.380 --> 00:22:05.539 contemporary culture 00:22:05.539 --> 00:22:06.420 values more 00:22:06.420 --> 00:22:07.080 than the act 00:22:07.080 --> 00:22:07.900 of resisting. 00:22:10.560 --> 00:22:11.620 To grumble 00:22:11.620 --> 00:22:12.720 is to elevate 00:22:12.720 --> 00:22:13.400 ourselves 00:22:13.400 --> 00:22:14.759 at the expense 00:22:14.759 --> 00:22:15.220 of others 00:22:15.220 --> 00:22:15.759 that we grumble 00:22:15.759 --> 00:22:16.259 against. 00:22:18.180 --> 00:22:19.460 At its heart, 00:22:20.140 --> 00:22:20.480 grumbling 00:22:20.480 --> 00:22:21.799 is rebellious 00:22:21.799 --> 00:22:23.299 and seditious. 00:22:24.299 --> 00:22:25.140 When people 00:22:25.140 --> 00:22:25.640 murmur 00:22:25.640 --> 00:22:26.660 and grumble, 00:22:26.839 --> 00:22:27.259 it creates 00:22:27.259 --> 00:22:27.859 an atmosphere 00:22:27.859 --> 00:22:29.140 of resistance 00:22:29.140 --> 00:22:31.039 and a quarrel 00:22:31.039 --> 00:22:32.420 is not far 00:22:32.420 --> 00:22:33.220 from breaking out. 00:22:35.140 --> 00:22:36.099 This is not 00:22:36.099 --> 00:22:36.879 to say that 00:22:36.879 --> 00:22:37.879 we never 00:22:37.879 --> 00:22:38.879 can lament 00:22:38.879 --> 00:22:40.519 or pour out 00:22:40.519 --> 00:22:41.200 our complaints 00:22:41.200 --> 00:22:41.640 to God. 00:22:43.160 --> 00:22:43.879 For example, 00:22:43.880 --> 00:22:44.660 throughout the book 00:22:44.660 --> 00:22:45.160 of Psalms, 00:22:45.220 --> 00:22:45.600 the psalmist 00:22:45.600 --> 00:22:46.740 often pours out 00:22:46.740 --> 00:22:47.540 his complaint 00:22:47.540 --> 00:22:49.000 and moans 00:22:49.000 --> 00:22:49.980 before God. 00:22:50.800 --> 00:22:51.360 And similarly, 00:22:51.600 --> 00:22:52.660 Job cries out 00:22:52.660 --> 00:22:53.180 to God 00:22:53.180 --> 00:22:54.920 in Job 10, 00:22:54.980 --> 00:22:55.440 verse 1, 00:22:55.540 --> 00:22:56.240 I will give 00:22:56.240 --> 00:22:57.520 free utterance 00:22:57.520 --> 00:22:58.640 to my complaint. 00:22:59.340 --> 00:23:00.220 I will speak 00:23:00.220 --> 00:23:01.180 in the bitterness 00:23:01.180 --> 00:23:02.360 of my soul. 00:23:03.400 --> 00:23:04.420 Like the Israelites 00:23:04.420 --> 00:23:04.960 who have come 00:23:04.960 --> 00:23:05.940 to the bitter waters 00:23:05.940 --> 00:23:06.660 of Marah, 00:23:07.180 --> 00:23:07.980 Job experienced 00:23:07.980 --> 00:23:08.660 much bitterness 00:23:08.660 --> 00:23:09.660 in his life 00:23:09.660 --> 00:23:10.340 due to the trials 00:23:10.340 --> 00:23:10.880 that the Lord 00:23:10.880 --> 00:23:12.320 allowed in his life. 00:23:12.700 --> 00:23:13.760 And Job did not 00:23:13.759 --> 00:23:14.480 hold back. 00:23:14.859 --> 00:23:15.519 He voiced 00:23:15.519 --> 00:23:16.180 his complaints 00:23:16.180 --> 00:23:16.900 and he cried 00:23:16.900 --> 00:23:17.619 out to God 00:23:17.619 --> 00:23:18.200 in the bitterness 00:23:18.200 --> 00:23:19.019 of his soul. 00:23:20.599 --> 00:23:21.680 But the Hebrew word 00:23:21.680 --> 00:23:22.440 that is translated 00:23:22.440 --> 00:23:23.200 here as complain 00:23:23.200 --> 00:23:24.879 is not the same word 00:23:24.879 --> 00:23:25.940 that's translated 00:23:25.940 --> 00:23:26.579 as grumble 00:23:26.579 --> 00:23:27.359 in our passage. 00:23:28.539 --> 00:23:29.339 Apart from 00:23:29.339 --> 00:23:30.220 one instance 00:23:30.220 --> 00:23:31.059 in Joshua 9, 00:23:31.079 --> 00:23:31.379 18, 00:23:31.799 --> 00:23:32.460 the Hebrew word 00:23:32.460 --> 00:23:33.140 for grumble 00:23:33.140 --> 00:23:34.579 occurs exclusively 00:23:34.579 --> 00:23:35.779 in the accounts 00:23:35.779 --> 00:23:36.779 of Israel's journey 00:23:36.779 --> 00:23:37.319 in the wilderness 00:23:37.319 --> 00:23:38.420 in the book of Exodus, 00:23:38.599 --> 00:23:39.559 in the book of Numbers. 00:23:39.559 --> 00:23:41.700 The two words 00:23:41.700 --> 00:23:42.619 grumble and complain 00:23:42.619 --> 00:23:43.899 or grumble and moan 00:23:43.899 --> 00:23:44.679 do not mean 00:23:44.679 --> 00:23:45.339 the same thing. 00:23:46.379 --> 00:23:47.779 Crying out to God 00:23:47.779 --> 00:23:48.899 with your complaints 00:23:48.899 --> 00:23:50.879 is not the same thing 00:23:50.879 --> 00:23:51.659 as grumbling 00:23:51.659 --> 00:23:52.899 against God. 00:23:54.899 --> 00:23:56.159 Moaning in your grief 00:23:56.159 --> 00:23:57.039 and pain 00:23:57.039 --> 00:23:58.619 is not the same thing 00:23:58.619 --> 00:23:59.819 as murmuring 00:23:59.819 --> 00:24:01.339 in prideful resistance 00:24:01.339 --> 00:24:01.940 and rebellion. 00:24:02.940 --> 00:24:04.319 Do you see the difference? 00:24:04.319 --> 00:24:06.919 The New Testament 00:24:06.919 --> 00:24:07.799 also maintains 00:24:07.799 --> 00:24:08.839 the same distinction. 00:24:09.359 --> 00:24:09.879 Philippians 2, 00:24:09.939 --> 00:24:10.879 14 to 15 says, 00:24:11.059 --> 00:24:11.720 do all things 00:24:11.720 --> 00:24:12.720 without grumbling 00:24:12.720 --> 00:24:13.899 or disputing 00:24:13.899 --> 00:24:14.659 that you may be 00:24:14.659 --> 00:24:15.559 blameless and innocent. 00:24:16.419 --> 00:24:17.480 1 Peter 4, 9 says, 00:24:17.599 --> 00:24:18.099 show hospitality 00:24:18.099 --> 00:24:18.960 to one another 00:24:18.960 --> 00:24:20.339 without grumbling. 00:24:21.359 --> 00:24:22.200 The Pharisees, 00:24:22.299 --> 00:24:22.819 scribes, 00:24:22.879 --> 00:24:23.339 and the Jews 00:24:23.339 --> 00:24:24.519 who oppose Jesus 00:24:24.519 --> 00:24:25.980 grumble against him 00:24:25.980 --> 00:24:26.939 throughout the Gospels. 00:24:27.899 --> 00:24:28.919 And on one occasion, 00:24:29.200 --> 00:24:30.119 Jesus' disciples 00:24:30.119 --> 00:24:31.079 also grumble 00:24:31.079 --> 00:24:31.639 against him 00:24:31.639 --> 00:24:32.399 after a teaching 00:24:32.399 --> 00:24:33.619 that is hard to accept. 00:24:34.319 --> 00:24:35.439 This is the grumbling 00:24:35.439 --> 00:24:36.879 that we should not be doing. 00:24:37.379 --> 00:24:38.200 But there is another 00:24:38.200 --> 00:24:38.779 Greek word 00:24:38.779 --> 00:24:39.919 that is usually translated 00:24:39.919 --> 00:24:40.839 as a sigh 00:24:40.839 --> 00:24:42.519 or a groan, 00:24:43.019 --> 00:24:44.339 which is okay for us 00:24:44.339 --> 00:24:45.500 as Christians to do. 00:24:47.019 --> 00:24:48.679 Even Jesus sighs 00:24:48.679 --> 00:24:49.960 in Mark 7, 34. 00:24:50.879 --> 00:24:52.000 The Holy Spirit, 00:24:52.419 --> 00:24:53.899 he says in Romans 8, 26, 00:24:54.039 --> 00:24:54.960 intercedes for us 00:24:54.960 --> 00:24:56.419 with groanings 00:24:56.419 --> 00:24:57.879 too deep for words. 00:24:58.819 --> 00:24:59.659 It's as if the Spirit 00:24:59.659 --> 00:25:00.779 empathizes with us, 00:25:00.919 --> 00:25:01.619 feels our pain, 00:25:01.659 --> 00:25:03.279 and he groans for us 00:25:03.279 --> 00:25:04.859 in interceding for us. 00:25:06.980 --> 00:25:09.220 Acts 7, 34 refers to Israel 00:25:09.220 --> 00:25:10.139 crying out to God 00:25:10.139 --> 00:25:10.960 in their slavery in Egypt 00:25:10.960 --> 00:25:11.960 as groaning. 00:25:12.759 --> 00:25:13.879 And Romans 8 tells us 00:25:13.879 --> 00:25:14.879 that the whole creation 00:25:14.879 --> 00:25:16.960 has been groaning together 00:25:16.960 --> 00:25:18.799 in the pains of childbirth 00:25:18.799 --> 00:25:19.920 under the weight of 00:25:19.920 --> 00:25:21.819 and the consequences of sin. 00:25:24.440 --> 00:25:25.440 And so we also, 00:25:25.619 --> 00:25:25.799 he says, 00:25:25.879 --> 00:25:27.019 groan inwardly 00:25:27.019 --> 00:25:28.579 as we wait eagerly 00:25:28.579 --> 00:25:29.639 for adoption as sons, 00:25:29.759 --> 00:25:30.960 the redemption of our bodies. 00:25:30.960 --> 00:25:33.600 While we are still 00:25:33.600 --> 00:25:34.720 on this earth 00:25:34.720 --> 00:25:36.000 with our fallen bodies, 00:25:36.799 --> 00:25:38.640 we groan, 00:25:38.759 --> 00:25:40.180 it says in 2 Corinthians 5, 00:25:40.400 --> 00:25:41.519 we groan longing 00:25:41.519 --> 00:25:42.360 to put on 00:25:42.360 --> 00:25:43.360 our heavenly dwelling. 00:25:44.759 --> 00:25:46.000 This kind of groaning 00:25:46.000 --> 00:25:47.779 is the appropriate response 00:25:47.779 --> 00:25:48.500 of the Christian 00:25:48.500 --> 00:25:50.039 who lives in a broken 00:25:50.039 --> 00:25:51.500 and sinful world. 00:25:52.200 --> 00:25:53.500 When you are living 00:25:53.500 --> 00:25:54.740 in constant pain 00:25:54.740 --> 00:25:55.640 due to arthritis, 00:25:56.539 --> 00:25:57.660 when your body 00:25:57.660 --> 00:25:58.720 is wasting away 00:25:58.720 --> 00:25:59.600 due to cancer, 00:26:00.559 --> 00:26:01.700 you can groan 00:26:01.700 --> 00:26:02.539 and pour out 00:26:02.539 --> 00:26:03.680 your complaint to God. 00:26:06.279 --> 00:26:07.299 When you lose 00:26:07.299 --> 00:26:08.539 a loved one to death, 00:26:09.680 --> 00:26:11.000 just as Jesus wept 00:26:11.000 --> 00:26:12.440 in front of Lazarus' tomb, 00:26:12.579 --> 00:26:13.559 you can grieve 00:26:13.559 --> 00:26:14.880 and you can groan 00:26:14.880 --> 00:26:16.059 that death is still 00:26:16.059 --> 00:26:17.360 ravaging our loved ones. 00:26:18.240 --> 00:26:19.559 When you face rejection, 00:26:20.299 --> 00:26:20.880 isolation, 00:26:21.519 --> 00:26:22.339 and loneliness 00:26:22.339 --> 00:26:24.100 due to a sinful people, 00:26:24.559 --> 00:26:25.640 you can groan. 00:26:25.640 --> 00:26:28.360 When you are saddened 00:26:28.360 --> 00:26:30.080 by your own besetting sins, 00:26:30.500 --> 00:26:31.440 you can sigh 00:26:31.440 --> 00:26:33.440 and you can groan. 00:26:35.259 --> 00:26:37.140 But we must never grumble. 00:26:39.800 --> 00:26:40.880 We can groan 00:26:40.880 --> 00:26:41.900 before God 00:26:41.900 --> 00:26:42.759 and to God, 00:26:42.840 --> 00:26:43.860 but we must not grumble 00:26:43.860 --> 00:26:45.140 about God 00:26:45.140 --> 00:26:46.600 or against God. 00:26:47.280 --> 00:26:48.360 We can groan 00:26:48.360 --> 00:26:49.800 in submission to God, 00:26:49.920 --> 00:26:50.860 but we must not grumble 00:26:50.860 --> 00:26:52.180 in rebellion against God. 00:26:52.180 --> 00:26:54.960 We can walk by faith 00:26:54.960 --> 00:26:55.860 and still groan, 00:26:56.420 --> 00:26:57.400 but if we grumble, 00:26:57.519 --> 00:26:58.080 then we are walking 00:26:58.080 --> 00:26:58.720 by sight. 00:27:00.799 --> 00:27:02.080 A groan says, 00:27:02.279 --> 00:27:02.580 God, 00:27:02.779 --> 00:27:04.860 this is really hard, 00:27:05.400 --> 00:27:08.460 but I trust you. 00:27:10.519 --> 00:27:11.779 A grumble says, 00:27:12.160 --> 00:27:12.539 God, 00:27:12.779 --> 00:27:14.720 you are a hard man, 00:27:15.320 --> 00:27:17.600 and I don't trust you. 00:27:17.599 --> 00:27:22.079 To groan 00:27:22.079 --> 00:27:23.579 is to implore God 00:27:23.579 --> 00:27:24.419 to plead with him. 00:27:25.679 --> 00:27:26.439 To grumble 00:27:26.439 --> 00:27:27.740 is to try to impeach him. 00:27:31.319 --> 00:27:32.719 The Israelites grumbled, 00:27:33.519 --> 00:27:34.279 but Moses, 00:27:34.599 --> 00:27:35.879 we see in verse 25, 00:27:36.339 --> 00:27:36.919 he groans. 00:27:38.000 --> 00:27:38.480 He says, 00:27:38.719 --> 00:27:39.259 Moses cried 00:27:40.259 --> 00:27:41.279 to the Lord, 00:27:41.980 --> 00:27:42.659 and the Lord 00:27:42.659 --> 00:27:43.799 showed him a log, 00:27:43.859 --> 00:27:44.619 and he threw it 00:27:44.619 --> 00:27:45.219 into the water, 00:27:45.279 --> 00:27:45.819 and the water 00:27:45.819 --> 00:27:47.379 became sweet. 00:27:47.599 --> 00:27:50.879 Moses cried 00:27:50.879 --> 00:27:51.799 to the Lord 00:27:51.799 --> 00:27:53.139 instead of 00:27:53.139 --> 00:27:54.399 grumbling against him, 00:27:55.099 --> 00:27:56.579 and this one man's cry 00:27:56.579 --> 00:27:57.839 accomplishes more, 00:27:58.119 --> 00:27:58.659 far more 00:27:58.659 --> 00:28:00.419 than all Israel's grumbling, 00:28:00.919 --> 00:28:01.719 because he directed 00:28:01.719 --> 00:28:02.859 his prayer to the Lord, 00:28:03.519 --> 00:28:04.579 and the Lord answers 00:28:04.579 --> 00:28:05.619 Moses' prayer 00:28:05.619 --> 00:28:07.039 by showing him a log, 00:28:07.379 --> 00:28:08.199 or as the footnote 00:28:08.199 --> 00:28:08.879 on ESV says, 00:28:08.939 --> 00:28:09.439 a tree, 00:28:10.179 --> 00:28:10.819 that he can then 00:28:10.819 --> 00:28:11.439 throw into 00:28:11.439 --> 00:28:12.480 the bitter waters 00:28:12.480 --> 00:28:13.379 to make it sweet. 00:28:15.079 --> 00:28:16.519 Verses 25 to 26 00:28:16.519 --> 00:28:17.339 continue there, 00:28:17.599 --> 00:28:18.679 the Lord made for them 00:28:18.679 --> 00:28:19.259 a statute 00:28:19.259 --> 00:28:20.139 and a rule, 00:28:20.839 --> 00:28:21.980 and there he tested them, 00:28:22.059 --> 00:28:22.359 saying, 00:28:22.879 --> 00:28:23.879 if you will diligently 00:28:23.879 --> 00:28:25.039 listen to the voice 00:28:25.039 --> 00:28:26.019 of the Lord your God, 00:28:26.079 --> 00:28:27.219 and do that which is right 00:28:27.219 --> 00:28:27.859 in his eyes, 00:28:28.099 --> 00:28:28.779 and give ear 00:28:28.779 --> 00:28:29.599 to his commandments, 00:28:29.759 --> 00:28:31.139 and keep all his statutes, 00:28:31.379 --> 00:28:32.139 I will put none 00:28:32.139 --> 00:28:33.179 of the diseases on you 00:28:33.179 --> 00:28:34.259 that I put on the Egyptians, 00:28:34.799 --> 00:28:36.079 for I am the Lord, 00:28:36.579 --> 00:28:38.039 your healer. 00:28:38.039 --> 00:28:39.480 It's a wonderful promise. 00:28:40.279 --> 00:28:41.579 This is a covenant promise 00:28:41.579 --> 00:28:42.420 given specifically 00:28:42.420 --> 00:28:43.799 to the people of God. 00:28:44.119 --> 00:28:45.299 The Lord repeats it again 00:28:45.299 --> 00:28:46.920 to Israel in Exodus 23, 00:28:47.019 --> 00:28:47.619 verse 15, 00:28:48.339 --> 00:28:48.980 where he promises 00:28:48.980 --> 00:28:50.159 that if they serve the Lord, 00:28:50.220 --> 00:28:51.339 he will take sicknesses 00:28:51.339 --> 00:28:53.039 away from among them, 00:28:53.500 --> 00:28:54.559 and this covenant blessing 00:28:54.559 --> 00:28:55.279 is repeated 00:28:55.279 --> 00:28:56.319 in Deuteronomy 7, 00:28:56.420 --> 00:28:57.079 12 to 16. 00:28:57.279 --> 00:28:57.500 Again, 00:28:57.579 --> 00:28:58.839 if you listen to these rules 00:28:58.839 --> 00:29:00.740 and do them, 00:29:01.059 --> 00:29:01.859 the Lord your God 00:29:01.859 --> 00:29:02.700 will keep with you 00:29:02.700 --> 00:29:03.120 the covenant 00:29:03.120 --> 00:29:04.140 and the steadfast love 00:29:04.140 --> 00:29:05.099 he swore to your fathers, 00:29:05.279 --> 00:29:06.559 and the Lord will take away 00:29:06.559 --> 00:29:07.599 from you all sickness, 00:29:08.079 --> 00:29:09.359 and none of the evil diseases 00:29:09.359 --> 00:29:10.440 of Egypt which you knew 00:29:10.440 --> 00:29:11.779 will he inflict on you, 00:29:11.880 --> 00:29:12.640 but he will lay them 00:29:12.640 --> 00:29:14.099 on all who hate you. 00:29:14.779 --> 00:29:15.420 But there's also 00:29:15.420 --> 00:29:16.740 an accompanying curse, 00:29:16.940 --> 00:29:17.640 covenant curse, 00:29:17.819 --> 00:29:18.480 in Deuteronomy 20, 00:29:18.559 --> 00:29:19.319 15 to 23. 00:29:19.519 --> 00:29:20.700 If they break the covenant, 00:29:21.099 --> 00:29:22.000 if they are not faithful 00:29:22.000 --> 00:29:22.400 to the Lord, 00:29:22.460 --> 00:29:23.960 they disobey his voice, 00:29:24.319 --> 00:29:25.799 then all these diseases 00:29:25.799 --> 00:29:26.759 will come upon them. 00:29:27.960 --> 00:29:29.079 This is not because 00:29:29.079 --> 00:29:30.359 the Lord is vindictive, 00:29:30.740 --> 00:29:31.500 or harsh. 00:29:32.440 --> 00:29:33.740 It's because the Lord 00:29:33.740 --> 00:29:34.759 loves his people 00:29:34.759 --> 00:29:35.779 and is teaching them 00:29:35.779 --> 00:29:36.920 and disciplining them. 00:29:38.160 --> 00:29:40.099 Job 36, 15 says that 00:29:40.099 --> 00:29:41.460 the Lord delivers 00:29:41.460 --> 00:29:42.380 the afflicted 00:29:42.380 --> 00:29:44.059 by their affliction 00:29:44.059 --> 00:29:45.779 and opens their ear 00:29:45.779 --> 00:29:47.240 by adversity. 00:29:48.640 --> 00:29:50.779 God sometimes delivers us 00:29:50.779 --> 00:29:52.380 by afflicting us 00:29:52.380 --> 00:29:54.140 to wean us off 00:29:54.140 --> 00:29:55.059 from some pride 00:29:55.059 --> 00:29:55.920 and sinful pleasure. 00:29:57.359 --> 00:29:59.160 God opens our ears 00:29:59.160 --> 00:30:00.480 by adversity. 00:30:01.740 --> 00:30:02.940 That's how he gets us 00:30:02.940 --> 00:30:03.759 to pay attention 00:30:03.759 --> 00:30:04.500 to his voice. 00:30:06.000 --> 00:30:07.019 That's why C.S. Lewis 00:30:07.019 --> 00:30:07.740 is not wrong 00:30:07.740 --> 00:30:08.720 when he writes in his book 00:30:08.720 --> 00:30:09.579 The Problem of Pain. 00:30:10.120 --> 00:30:11.279 God whispers to us 00:30:11.279 --> 00:30:12.000 in our pleasures, 00:30:12.500 --> 00:30:13.940 speaks in our consciences, 00:30:14.279 --> 00:30:16.120 but shouts in our pains. 00:30:17.039 --> 00:30:18.559 It is his megaphone 00:30:18.559 --> 00:30:20.559 to rouse a deaf world. 00:30:22.559 --> 00:30:23.720 Generally speaking, 00:30:24.200 --> 00:30:25.599 sickness is a symptom 00:30:25.599 --> 00:30:27.359 of a sinful fallen world. 00:30:27.359 --> 00:30:29.119 That's why in John 5 00:30:29.119 --> 00:30:30.119 when Jesus heals 00:30:30.119 --> 00:30:30.699 an invalid, 00:30:30.859 --> 00:30:31.500 he tells him, 00:30:31.899 --> 00:30:32.779 sin no more, 00:30:33.019 --> 00:30:33.919 that nothing worse 00:30:33.919 --> 00:30:34.819 may happen to you. 00:30:35.479 --> 00:30:36.979 But this shouldn't make us 00:30:36.979 --> 00:30:38.199 go around judging 00:30:38.199 --> 00:30:39.439 everyone who is sick. 00:30:40.859 --> 00:30:42.859 Oh, he just coughed. 00:30:42.959 --> 00:30:43.919 What sin did you do 00:30:43.919 --> 00:30:44.479 the other day? 00:30:45.859 --> 00:30:46.299 Why? 00:30:46.399 --> 00:30:47.199 Why can't we do that? 00:30:47.240 --> 00:30:48.500 Because in John 9 00:30:48.500 --> 00:30:49.519 when Jesus and his disciples 00:30:49.519 --> 00:30:50.559 come across a man 00:30:50.559 --> 00:30:51.479 blind from birth, 00:30:51.859 --> 00:30:52.719 the disciples make 00:30:52.719 --> 00:30:53.359 that assumption 00:30:53.359 --> 00:30:54.559 and they ask Jesus, 00:30:54.559 --> 00:30:55.639 who sinned, 00:30:55.700 --> 00:30:57.019 this man or his parents, 00:30:57.440 --> 00:30:58.460 that he was born blind? 00:30:59.619 --> 00:31:00.599 But Jesus answered, 00:31:00.700 --> 00:31:01.700 it was not that this man 00:31:01.700 --> 00:31:03.539 sinned or his parents, 00:31:03.899 --> 00:31:05.899 but that the works of God 00:31:05.899 --> 00:31:07.480 might be displayed in him. 00:31:08.579 --> 00:31:10.000 Sometimes people have 00:31:10.000 --> 00:31:11.500 a disease or a disability 00:31:11.500 --> 00:31:13.019 for no particular sin, 00:31:13.299 --> 00:31:14.960 but simply to serve 00:31:14.960 --> 00:31:16.139 God's greater purposes 00:31:16.139 --> 00:31:18.000 and display his glory. 00:31:19.599 --> 00:31:21.079 But we must not miss 00:31:21.079 --> 00:31:22.000 the general force 00:31:22.000 --> 00:31:22.980 of the Lord's assurance 00:31:22.980 --> 00:31:23.799 to his people here. 00:31:24.400 --> 00:31:26.279 Because our Lord redeems us 00:31:26.279 --> 00:31:27.460 from our slavery to sin, 00:31:27.660 --> 00:31:29.059 he also brings healing 00:31:29.059 --> 00:31:30.299 from our sicknesses. 00:31:31.299 --> 00:31:32.059 If the Israelites 00:31:32.059 --> 00:31:33.200 obey the Lord, 00:31:33.440 --> 00:31:34.900 things will go well for them. 00:31:36.180 --> 00:31:37.599 And if they disobey the Lord, 00:31:37.680 --> 00:31:38.920 things will not go so well 00:31:38.920 --> 00:31:39.240 for them. 00:31:39.759 --> 00:31:40.519 That's the case 00:31:40.519 --> 00:31:41.700 for everyone in the world. 00:31:42.680 --> 00:31:43.900 Just as any product 00:31:43.900 --> 00:31:44.559 that you buy 00:31:44.559 --> 00:31:45.640 works better 00:31:45.640 --> 00:31:46.960 if you use it 00:31:46.960 --> 00:31:48.059 according to the manual, 00:31:49.680 --> 00:31:51.220 just as every citizen 00:31:51.220 --> 00:31:52.400 in this country, 00:31:52.880 --> 00:31:53.620 fares better 00:31:53.620 --> 00:31:54.700 if they live 00:31:54.700 --> 00:31:56.019 according to the laws 00:31:56.019 --> 00:31:56.640 of the land. 00:31:58.940 --> 00:31:59.980 If you follow 00:31:59.980 --> 00:32:01.100 the ruler of the universe 00:32:01.100 --> 00:32:01.839 and you live 00:32:01.839 --> 00:32:02.900 according to his will, 00:32:03.079 --> 00:32:05.039 things go better for you. 00:32:05.559 --> 00:32:06.059 It does. 00:32:09.900 --> 00:32:11.140 The healing of the water 00:32:11.140 --> 00:32:11.579 of Marah 00:32:11.579 --> 00:32:12.620 is a dramatic illustration 00:32:12.620 --> 00:32:13.500 of this truth. 00:32:14.420 --> 00:32:15.339 God says specifically 00:32:15.339 --> 00:32:16.059 in verse 26, 00:32:16.180 --> 00:32:16.799 I will put none 00:32:16.799 --> 00:32:17.799 of the diseases on you 00:32:17.799 --> 00:32:18.779 that I put on the Egyptians, 00:32:18.779 --> 00:32:20.139 for I am the Lord, 00:32:20.279 --> 00:32:21.240 your healer. 00:32:21.639 --> 00:32:22.899 Remember the first plague 00:32:22.899 --> 00:32:23.639 that the Lord brought 00:32:23.639 --> 00:32:24.399 upon the Egyptians. 00:32:24.879 --> 00:32:25.700 In Exodus 7, 00:32:26.000 --> 00:32:26.899 the Lord commanded Moses 00:32:26.899 --> 00:32:28.180 to strike the water 00:32:28.180 --> 00:32:28.859 with what? 00:32:30.019 --> 00:32:31.139 With his staff, 00:32:31.680 --> 00:32:32.480 wooden staff. 00:32:33.599 --> 00:32:34.740 And what happens to it? 00:32:34.940 --> 00:32:36.139 The water turns into blood. 00:32:36.379 --> 00:32:37.160 People can no longer 00:32:37.160 --> 00:32:39.059 drink from the water, 00:32:39.139 --> 00:32:39.779 the sweet waters 00:32:39.779 --> 00:32:40.259 of the Nile. 00:32:40.559 --> 00:32:41.859 He turns the sweet waters 00:32:41.859 --> 00:32:42.619 of Nile bitter 00:32:42.619 --> 00:32:43.799 so people cannot drink it. 00:32:44.119 --> 00:32:45.000 And the miracle in Marah 00:32:45.000 --> 00:32:46.359 is nearly the exact opposite 00:32:46.359 --> 00:32:46.660 of this. 00:32:46.720 --> 00:32:47.660 They come across bitter, 00:32:47.660 --> 00:32:49.019 undrinkable water, 00:32:49.160 --> 00:32:50.080 and the bitter water 00:32:50.080 --> 00:32:51.019 becomes potable, 00:32:51.220 --> 00:32:51.980 sweet water 00:32:51.980 --> 00:32:53.380 when it is struck 00:32:53.380 --> 00:32:54.340 with a tree, 00:32:55.160 --> 00:32:55.640 a log, 00:32:56.320 --> 00:32:56.920 a staff. 00:32:58.160 --> 00:32:58.840 By this, 00:32:59.040 --> 00:32:59.960 the Lord demonstrates 00:32:59.960 --> 00:33:01.259 another one of his titles, 00:33:01.480 --> 00:33:01.920 the Lord, 00:33:02.060 --> 00:33:02.860 your healer. 00:33:05.460 --> 00:33:06.720 And the healing hand 00:33:06.720 --> 00:33:07.320 of our king 00:33:07.320 --> 00:33:09.500 is most perfectly demonstrated 00:33:09.500 --> 00:33:11.060 by the person and work 00:33:11.060 --> 00:33:12.080 of Jesus Christ, 00:33:12.420 --> 00:33:13.100 the Son of God. 00:33:13.820 --> 00:33:15.360 When Jesus cast out 00:33:15.360 --> 00:33:16.040 evil spirits 00:33:16.039 --> 00:33:16.819 and healed all 00:33:16.819 --> 00:33:17.359 who were sick 00:33:17.359 --> 00:33:18.139 in Matthew 8, 00:33:18.480 --> 00:33:19.039 Matthew notes 00:33:19.039 --> 00:33:20.420 that this was to fulfill 00:33:20.420 --> 00:33:21.339 what was spoken 00:33:21.339 --> 00:33:22.460 by the prophet Isaiah. 00:33:22.899 --> 00:33:24.319 He took our illnesses 00:33:24.319 --> 00:33:25.859 and bore our diseases. 00:33:26.639 --> 00:33:27.440 This is a citation 00:33:27.440 --> 00:33:28.920 of Isaiah 53, 5, 00:33:28.960 --> 00:33:29.980 which is about Jesus, 00:33:30.139 --> 00:33:31.119 the messianic king 00:33:31.119 --> 00:33:31.899 who was to come. 00:33:32.759 --> 00:33:33.740 He says there 00:33:33.740 --> 00:33:34.759 that he was pierced 00:33:34.759 --> 00:33:36.099 for our transgressions. 00:33:36.319 --> 00:33:37.139 He was crushed 00:33:37.139 --> 00:33:38.200 for our iniquities. 00:33:38.619 --> 00:33:39.299 Upon him 00:33:39.299 --> 00:33:40.319 was the chastisement 00:33:40.319 --> 00:33:41.379 that brought us peace, 00:33:41.539 --> 00:33:43.119 and with his wounds, 00:33:43.379 --> 00:33:44.700 we are healed. 00:33:46.039 --> 00:33:47.200 We saw earlier 00:33:47.200 --> 00:33:48.000 from Romans 8 00:33:48.000 --> 00:33:48.879 that all creation 00:33:48.879 --> 00:33:50.099 is still groaning, 00:33:50.200 --> 00:33:51.480 and we are still groaning 00:33:51.480 --> 00:33:53.339 in our decaying bodies. 00:33:54.220 --> 00:33:55.139 As Paul writes 00:33:55.139 --> 00:33:56.079 in 2 Corinthians 4, 00:33:56.139 --> 00:33:56.960 our outer self 00:33:56.960 --> 00:33:58.139 is wasting away. 00:33:59.159 --> 00:34:00.940 We have in this life 00:34:00.940 --> 00:34:02.920 momentary light affliction, 00:34:03.420 --> 00:34:05.000 but that's preparing us 00:34:05.000 --> 00:34:06.220 for eternal weight of glory 00:34:06.220 --> 00:34:07.359 beyond all comparison. 00:34:08.679 --> 00:34:09.779 In this life, 00:34:09.900 --> 00:34:10.639 we still sin. 00:34:11.539 --> 00:34:12.659 We still get sick. 00:34:13.199 --> 00:34:14.239 We still die. 00:34:14.239 --> 00:34:16.719 But the glorious redemption 00:34:16.719 --> 00:34:17.339 of God 00:34:17.339 --> 00:34:18.859 has already begun 00:34:18.859 --> 00:34:20.139 in Christ. 00:34:21.159 --> 00:34:22.039 Humanity's sin 00:34:22.039 --> 00:34:23.419 and their consequent 00:34:23.419 --> 00:34:24.619 alienation from God 00:34:24.619 --> 00:34:26.739 is the root of all diseases 00:34:26.739 --> 00:34:27.859 and death in this world. 00:34:28.439 --> 00:34:29.799 But Jesus came to die 00:34:29.799 --> 00:34:30.519 for our sins, 00:34:30.599 --> 00:34:31.859 to atone for our sins, 00:34:31.979 --> 00:34:33.619 and to reconcile us again 00:34:33.619 --> 00:34:34.419 to the Lord, 00:34:34.500 --> 00:34:35.179 our healer. 00:34:36.139 --> 00:34:37.319 And as we are reconciled 00:34:37.319 --> 00:34:38.739 to the giver of life, 00:34:38.819 --> 00:34:39.879 we have eternal life. 00:34:40.239 --> 00:34:41.179 As we are reconciled 00:34:41.179 --> 00:34:41.699 to God, 00:34:41.799 --> 00:34:42.419 our healer, 00:34:42.500 --> 00:34:43.099 we are healed 00:34:43.099 --> 00:34:43.799 of our diseases. 00:34:44.460 --> 00:34:45.760 This is why sometimes 00:34:45.760 --> 00:34:46.539 we experience 00:34:46.539 --> 00:34:47.660 miraculous healings. 00:34:49.140 --> 00:34:50.039 They are a sign 00:34:50.039 --> 00:34:51.240 of the in-breaking 00:34:51.240 --> 00:34:52.240 kingdom of God. 00:34:53.700 --> 00:34:54.740 The kingdom of God 00:34:54.740 --> 00:34:55.760 that has already begun, 00:34:55.960 --> 00:34:57.300 that's been inaugurated, 00:34:57.580 --> 00:34:58.760 and that will soon 00:34:58.760 --> 00:34:59.880 be consummated. 00:35:01.880 --> 00:35:02.980 It is the cross 00:35:02.980 --> 00:35:03.920 of Jesus Christ, 00:35:04.440 --> 00:35:06.100 like the tree of Mara, 00:35:06.320 --> 00:35:07.240 that sweetens 00:35:07.240 --> 00:35:08.260 the bitter waters 00:35:08.260 --> 00:35:09.340 of our own lives. 00:35:10.620 --> 00:35:11.820 Do the circumstances 00:35:11.820 --> 00:35:13.080 of life taste bitter 00:35:13.079 --> 00:35:13.559 to you? 00:35:15.139 --> 00:35:16.219 Are you sick 00:35:16.219 --> 00:35:16.940 and depressed? 00:35:18.019 --> 00:35:19.119 Are you hurt 00:35:19.119 --> 00:35:20.299 and lonely? 00:35:21.340 --> 00:35:22.099 Are you weary 00:35:22.099 --> 00:35:23.019 from the fight, 00:35:23.619 --> 00:35:24.799 worn out from your battles 00:35:24.799 --> 00:35:25.639 with the world 00:35:25.639 --> 00:35:26.299 and the flesh 00:35:26.299 --> 00:35:26.819 and the devil? 00:35:28.119 --> 00:35:29.299 Throw the cross 00:35:29.299 --> 00:35:29.759 of Christ 00:35:29.759 --> 00:35:31.119 into your bitter waters. 00:35:31.539 --> 00:35:32.420 Let it have its 00:35:32.420 --> 00:35:33.739 sweetening effect. 00:35:34.159 --> 00:35:35.159 Behold the Savior 00:35:35.159 --> 00:35:36.079 who died 00:35:36.079 --> 00:35:37.319 that you might live. 00:35:37.819 --> 00:35:38.759 Behold the King 00:35:38.759 --> 00:35:39.699 who was wounded 00:35:39.699 --> 00:35:40.859 that you might 00:35:40.859 --> 00:35:41.519 be healed 00:35:41.519 --> 00:35:43.859 and it will sweeten 00:35:43.859 --> 00:35:44.480 the bitterness 00:35:44.480 --> 00:35:45.299 of your life. 00:35:48.399 --> 00:35:48.819 Elim, 00:35:49.419 --> 00:35:50.460 in verse 27, 00:35:50.559 --> 00:35:51.659 was a foretaste 00:35:51.659 --> 00:35:52.759 of the promised land, 00:35:53.319 --> 00:35:53.659 Canaan, 00:35:53.759 --> 00:35:54.379 for the Israelites. 00:35:55.159 --> 00:35:56.319 It says in verse 27, 00:35:56.439 --> 00:35:56.679 then, 00:35:56.839 --> 00:35:58.159 they came to Elim 00:35:58.159 --> 00:35:58.879 where there were 00:35:58.879 --> 00:36:00.199 twelve springs of water 00:36:00.199 --> 00:36:01.960 and seventy palm trees 00:36:01.960 --> 00:36:03.039 and they encamped 00:36:03.039 --> 00:36:04.159 there by the water. 00:36:05.039 --> 00:36:06.000 It's a wonderful picture. 00:36:06.000 --> 00:36:06.940 The numbers 00:36:06.940 --> 00:36:08.139 twelve and seventy 00:36:08.139 --> 00:36:09.480 have symbolic significance 00:36:09.480 --> 00:36:10.639 throughout the scriptures. 00:36:11.199 --> 00:36:11.599 There is, 00:36:11.719 --> 00:36:11.940 of course, 00:36:12.000 --> 00:36:12.800 the twelve tribes 00:36:12.800 --> 00:36:13.360 of Israel, 00:36:13.699 --> 00:36:14.400 but also when 00:36:14.400 --> 00:36:15.179 Jacob's family, 00:36:15.280 --> 00:36:16.019 Israel's family, 00:36:16.139 --> 00:36:17.340 first moved into Egypt, 00:36:17.639 --> 00:36:18.860 he said in Genesis 46, 00:36:18.940 --> 00:36:19.320 27, 00:36:19.440 --> 00:36:19.940 that their number 00:36:19.940 --> 00:36:20.760 was seventy. 00:36:21.599 --> 00:36:22.860 Later in Exodus 24, 00:36:22.980 --> 00:36:23.699 we see that there are 00:36:23.699 --> 00:36:25.420 seventy elders of Israel. 00:36:26.079 --> 00:36:26.440 So then, 00:36:26.559 --> 00:36:27.900 twelve springs of water 00:36:27.900 --> 00:36:29.340 for Israel to drink from 00:36:29.340 --> 00:36:31.000 and seventy palm trees 00:36:31.000 --> 00:36:32.440 for them to take shade in 00:36:32.440 --> 00:36:33.460 under the beating sun. 00:36:33.840 --> 00:36:34.539 They represent 00:36:34.539 --> 00:36:36.759 God's perfect provision. 00:36:38.400 --> 00:36:39.559 And I believe this points 00:36:39.559 --> 00:36:40.719 beyond God's provision 00:36:40.719 --> 00:36:41.400 for Israel 00:36:41.400 --> 00:36:42.519 toward God's provision 00:36:42.519 --> 00:36:43.880 for all of God's people 00:36:43.880 --> 00:36:44.679 and all nations. 00:36:45.840 --> 00:36:46.219 Why? 00:36:46.340 --> 00:36:47.599 Because there are 00:36:47.599 --> 00:36:48.420 twelve apostles 00:36:48.420 --> 00:36:49.400 of Jesus Christ. 00:36:50.539 --> 00:36:51.699 And according to Genesis 10, 00:36:51.779 --> 00:36:53.500 there are seventy nations 00:36:53.500 --> 00:36:54.800 or people groups 00:36:54.800 --> 00:36:55.920 descended from Noah 00:36:55.920 --> 00:36:57.340 scattered throughout the world. 00:36:58.199 --> 00:36:58.539 So then, 00:36:58.619 --> 00:36:59.500 this promise is also 00:36:59.500 --> 00:37:00.400 for all nations, 00:37:00.539 --> 00:37:01.599 for all of God's people, 00:37:01.699 --> 00:37:02.779 including Gentiles. 00:37:02.780 --> 00:37:04.320 And Revelation 21, 00:37:04.420 --> 00:37:05.200 14 tells us 00:37:05.200 --> 00:37:06.160 that in the new city 00:37:06.160 --> 00:37:06.920 of God, 00:37:07.019 --> 00:37:07.700 new Jerusalem, 00:37:08.040 --> 00:37:08.900 and in the new heavens 00:37:08.900 --> 00:37:09.560 and the new earth, 00:37:09.960 --> 00:37:10.160 quote, 00:37:10.200 --> 00:37:11.040 the wall of the city 00:37:11.040 --> 00:37:12.540 had twelve foundations 00:37:12.540 --> 00:37:13.720 and on them 00:37:13.720 --> 00:37:14.800 were the twelve names 00:37:14.800 --> 00:37:15.880 of the twelve apostles 00:37:15.880 --> 00:37:16.560 of the Lamb. 00:37:17.060 --> 00:37:18.240 And when Christ returns, 00:37:18.320 --> 00:37:19.560 it says in Revelation 21, 00:37:19.700 --> 00:37:20.080 verse four, 00:37:20.160 --> 00:37:21.260 he will wipe away 00:37:21.260 --> 00:37:23.280 every tear from our eyes 00:37:23.280 --> 00:37:25.240 and death shall be no more. 00:37:25.600 --> 00:37:26.980 Neither shall there be mourning 00:37:26.980 --> 00:37:27.920 nor crying 00:37:27.920 --> 00:37:29.200 nor pain anymore, 00:37:29.580 --> 00:37:30.800 for the former things 00:37:30.800 --> 00:37:32.340 have passed away. 00:37:35.019 --> 00:37:36.820 If only Israel 00:37:36.820 --> 00:37:38.760 had persevered in faith 00:37:38.760 --> 00:37:39.660 a little longer, 00:37:40.400 --> 00:37:41.080 they would have come 00:37:41.080 --> 00:37:41.720 to Elam 00:37:41.720 --> 00:37:43.300 and they would have had 00:37:43.300 --> 00:37:44.680 no cause to grumble. 00:37:46.840 --> 00:37:48.380 The same is true for us, 00:37:48.440 --> 00:37:49.120 brothers and sisters. 00:37:49.980 --> 00:37:51.260 We are journeying 00:37:51.260 --> 00:37:52.160 still in the wilderness. 00:37:53.080 --> 00:37:53.960 In the world, 00:37:54.060 --> 00:37:55.539 we will have tribulation, 00:37:55.980 --> 00:37:56.960 but take heart, 00:37:57.120 --> 00:37:59.460 Jesus has overcome the world. 00:37:59.460 --> 00:38:01.280 Because of Jesus, 00:38:01.500 --> 00:38:03.079 there are twelve springs 00:38:03.079 --> 00:38:03.679 of water 00:38:03.679 --> 00:38:05.220 and seventy palm trees 00:38:05.220 --> 00:38:06.039 ahead of us. 00:38:07.940 --> 00:38:09.000 Because of Jesus, 00:38:09.220 --> 00:38:09.579 there are, 00:38:09.980 --> 00:38:11.139 there's a promised land 00:38:11.139 --> 00:38:12.199 flowing with milk 00:38:12.199 --> 00:38:12.780 and honey 00:38:12.780 --> 00:38:14.000 ahead of us. 00:38:14.720 --> 00:38:16.099 There is the new Jerusalem 00:38:16.099 --> 00:38:17.800 with the throne of God 00:38:17.800 --> 00:38:18.659 and of the Lamb 00:38:18.659 --> 00:38:19.740 in the midst of the city, 00:38:20.220 --> 00:38:21.119 with the rivers 00:38:21.119 --> 00:38:22.500 of the water of life, 00:38:22.780 --> 00:38:23.699 bright as crystal 00:38:23.699 --> 00:38:24.940 flowing from it. 00:38:25.340 --> 00:38:26.400 And on either side 00:38:26.400 --> 00:38:26.820 of the river, 00:38:26.920 --> 00:38:27.320 there will be 00:38:27.320 --> 00:38:28.320 the tree of life 00:38:28.320 --> 00:38:29.940 with its twelve kinds 00:38:29.940 --> 00:38:30.539 of fruit. 00:38:31.519 --> 00:38:32.480 And its leaves, 00:38:32.559 --> 00:38:32.920 it says, 00:38:32.980 --> 00:38:34.019 are for the healing 00:38:34.019 --> 00:38:35.400 of the nations. 00:38:36.480 --> 00:38:37.260 The Lord, 00:38:37.539 --> 00:38:38.660 our healer. 00:38:40.660 --> 00:38:42.180 So let us not grumble 00:38:42.180 --> 00:38:43.000 against the Lord. 00:38:44.420 --> 00:38:45.539 But let's behold 00:38:45.539 --> 00:38:46.300 the Lord Jesus, 00:38:47.000 --> 00:38:47.860 our healer, 00:38:48.440 --> 00:38:49.400 by whose wounds 00:38:49.400 --> 00:38:50.080 we are healed. 00:38:50.720 --> 00:38:51.260 Let's pray. 00:38:51.260 --> 00:38:51.300 Let's pray. 00:38:51.300 --> 00:38:51.320 Let's pray. 00:38:51.320 --> 00:38:51.340 Let's pray. 00:38:58.320 --> 00:38:59.519 God, 00:38:59.600 --> 00:39:00.220 we thank you 00:39:00.220 --> 00:39:01.180 for sending Jesus 00:39:01.180 --> 00:39:02.059 our Savior. 00:39:06.860 --> 00:39:07.420 God, 00:39:07.500 --> 00:39:08.039 we thank you 00:39:08.039 --> 00:39:08.660 that though 00:39:08.660 --> 00:39:09.480 in our sin 00:39:09.480 --> 00:39:11.880 you should be 00:39:11.880 --> 00:39:13.220 our destroyer, 00:39:14.460 --> 00:39:16.260 in your grace 00:39:16.260 --> 00:39:16.780 and mercy 00:39:16.780 --> 00:39:18.220 you are our healer. 00:39:22.900 --> 00:39:23.760 We thank you 00:39:23.760 --> 00:39:24.320 for the cross 00:39:24.320 --> 00:39:24.800 of Jesus. 00:39:24.800 --> 00:39:25.000 Jesus 00:39:25.000 --> 00:39:30.659 smite all 00:39:30.659 --> 00:39:31.059 grumbling 00:39:31.059 --> 00:39:31.739 from our hearts, 00:39:31.880 --> 00:39:32.019 Lord. 00:39:34.119 --> 00:39:35.260 Let us instead 00:39:35.260 --> 00:39:36.320 groan in faith 00:39:36.320 --> 00:39:38.539 and praise you 00:39:38.539 --> 00:39:39.420 in gratefulness. 00:39:44.000 --> 00:39:45.219 I pray for 00:39:45.219 --> 00:39:46.940 dear members 00:39:46.940 --> 00:39:47.820 of our church, 00:39:47.940 --> 00:39:48.559 people here 00:39:48.559 --> 00:39:49.719 who are experiencing 00:39:49.719 --> 00:39:50.699 significant bitterness 00:39:50.699 --> 00:39:51.639 in their own lives 00:39:51.639 --> 00:39:52.219 right now. 00:39:52.219 --> 00:39:55.859 Lord, 00:39:56.079 --> 00:39:57.159 sweeten those waters. 00:40:01.719 --> 00:40:02.699 In Jesus' name 00:40:02.699 --> 00:40:03.059 we pray. 00:40:03.739 --> 00:40:03.980 Amen.