At Marah, the Lord patiently supplies Israel with sweet drinking water out of bitter water. Commands and rules now begin to come with God's great promise of healing and protection (Ex. 15:26). God meets Israel's need for food with bread from heaven in the morning and quail at night. However, when the Israelites ignore God's simple rules for its collection and consumption, they provoke a rebuke from God. God is blessing them through this experience and training them in the rhythms of work and Sabbath rest. Jesus is the bread of life, John 6, is discussed along with how Moses foreshadows Christ. When Israel runs out of water again at Rephidim, they grumble instead of turning to God for help. God in His graciousness does not deal with them according to their folly but furnishes the water they desperately need. Christ Jesus is the Rock of Israel and our Rock of salvation. This study ends with the battle between Israel and Amalek. Israel learns firsthand, as they fight enemies such as Amalek, that success depends on the Lord. Without the Lord's direction and strength, they will lose. Victory comes by God's intervention.
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