Course 4: Session 5
THE WILDERNESS PERIOD
PART 1
1446-1406BC
Exodus 15:22-24:18
Israel Complains in unbelief (Exo. 15:22-27). It seems odd that once they crossed the Red Sea, God would lead them to a place without water. Yet, God wants to teach us to depend on Him. Read (Deut. 8:2-5)
When Israel saw water, it turned out to be bitter. This taught them:
- About life – life is bitter at times. Things don’t always go as planned.
- About themselves – every test in life teaches us about ourselves. (Faith or trust) Experiences like these help us to grow.
- About the Lord – He knows our needs because He is leading all the way.
Notes
Bread from Heaven (Manna) (Exo. 16)
- Manna means “What is it” – It was small, round, white, sweet, satisfying.
- Manna was a type of Christ. (John 6)
- The Manna had to be gathered each day except on Saturday.
- Manna was placed inside the Arc of the Covenant to remind them.
Notes
Problems in the Wilderness (Exo. 17-18)
- Water from the Rock (Exo. 17:1-7)
- The people had thirsted before, but this was different. They complained, so God instructed Moses to strike the rock.
- A second experience with the rock occurs in (Num. 20:1-13). They run out of water again, and Moses, in anger, strikes the rock, though God told him only to speak to the rock. (This was a reminder that Jesus was only struck once. Moses acted in anger and was punished by not being allowed to go into the Land.)
- Warfare with Amalek (Exo. 17:8-16)
- The people did fine when Moses held up his arms.
- He gets help from Hur and Aaron.
- God vows to destroy Amalek for this. (Picture of how we face Satan when we begin our Christian journey.)
- Saul had the opportunity to fulfill this pledge from God, but did not. He was punished by God for it.
Notes
The Ten Commandments (Exo. 19-23)
- Moses is called up to Mt. Sinai
- He is gone for 40 days, and the people break one of the laws. (Golden calf)
- Moses is angry and breaks the tablets.
- Break down the 10 commandments:
- No other gods before me
- Make no idols or images
- Do not take the name of the Lord in vain
- Remember the Sabbath Day
- Honor Father and Mother
- Do not kill
- Do not commit adultery
- Do not steal
- Do not bear false witness
- Do not covet
- Jesus divided them into 2 parts. The first 4 are about God, and the other 6 are about man.
Notes
The Tabernacle – Much of the book of Exodus deals with the tabernacle.
- On five separate occasions in Scripture, God is described as dwelling among men.
- The Tabernacle (Exo. 25:8)
- The Temple (1 Kings 8:3)
- Jesus (Jn. 1:14)
- In the Church (Eph. 2:20)
- In the Holy City (Rev. 21:3)
- Diagram of the Tabernacle
- Two Divisions – outer court, inner court.
- Inner Court is divided into 2 parts. Holy Place and Holy of Holies
- Every part of the tabernacle has meaning.
- One door
- The materials it was made from. See (Exo. 25:1-9)
- It was to stand in the middle of the camp.
- The vessels of the Tabernacle
- The Gate – only one, as there is only one entrance to heaven.
- The Brazen Altar – the fire was never to go out.
- The Laver – for washing.
- The Door – access in by the priest.
- The Table of Showbread – fellowship
- The Golden Candlestick – Jesus is seen in Revelation as walking among.
- The Altar of Incense – Holy Spirit
- The Veil – rent when Christ died.
- The Holy of Holies – Innermost access to God.
- The Ark of the Covenant – place of propitiation
Notes
The Priesthood 28-31
- Aaron and his descendants were chosen as the priests. (Exo. 28)
- The Tribe of Levi was to perform the service of the Tabernacle (Num. 3)
- The remaining people were the hosts of Israel. (Worshippers, Workers, and Warriors)
- The book of Hebrews lays out how Christ completed this role. He is now the one mediator between God and us.