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BUT - in between the people were “ much discouraged because of the way .” And MANY fell!! Num. 21:4. Delivered by the Lord – Ex 14 Over ½ million “men of war” - Num. 1:46-47. Their spirits were high – hope strong. Exodus 15.
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BUT - in between the people were “much discouraged because of the way.” And MANY fell!! Num. 21:4 • Delivered by the Lord – Ex 14 • Over ½ million “men of war” - Num. 1:46-47. • Their spirits were high – hope strong. Exodus 15. 40 years later some passed over Jordan into the promised land. Dt. 29:5; Jos 3.
Not an easy beginning! • Not the shortest route to Canaan. • Perhaps could not see the reasons God required so many things. • Filled with doubt & misgivings about this new way. • Longed for their former life of bondage. Num. 11:4-6. Lessons for us. Rom 15:4; 1 Cor 10:1-12.
Their escape . . . • Pharaoh pursues – Ex. 14:1-9 • The people were VERY afraid – Ex. 14:10-12 • The Lord provided salvation for the people – Ex. 14:13-31 Lessons . . . • Satan pursues us – 1 Peter 5:8; 2 Cor. 11:3,14 • Radical change is NOT easy – Acts 17:30; • The Lord has provided salvation for US – Titus 2:11,12; Acts 22:16; 1 Cor. 10:1-4
Taskmasters that afflicted them. - Lives that were bitter with hard bondage – all their service with rigor. Ex 1:11-22 Their newborn sons killed, or cast into the river. Ex1:16 But they had FOOD: Cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions and garlic!!!! Their Hunger . . . • They longed for their former life of plenty – Ex. 16:1-3; Num. 11:5 • The people complained against God – Ex. 16:4-8; Num. 11:1-6 • The Lord provided – Ex. 16:13-31; Num 11:20
Lessons . . . • We can long for our former life in sin – 1 Cor. 10:6-13; Ep 4:17-22; Prov 13:5; Rom 6:21 • The Christian’s life is HARD & EASY – Luke 9:23-26; Acts 14:22; Heb 12:1-3; Mt 11:24-30; 1 Co 15:19 Their Hunger . . . • They longed for their former life of plenty – Ex. 16:1-3; Num. 11:5 • The people complained against God – Ex. 16:4-8; Num. 11:1-6 • The Lord provided – Ex. 16:13-31; Num 11:20
Lessons . . . • Weak Christian: “Tired of all this doctrinal preaching. Prefer sermons on love, joy, peace, & the home, more entertainment - etc.” • “Look what others are doing – let’s attract folks with some fun!” Their Hunger . . . • They longed for their former life of plenty – Ex. 16:1-3; Num. 11:5 • The people complained against God – Ex. 16:4-8; Num. 11:1-6 • The Lord provided – Ex. 16:13-31; Num 11:20
Lessons . . . • Those who stand for truth will be persecuted!! – 2 Tim. 3:12; 1 Pet 1:5-7; 4:12-16. • Many today are NOT satisfied with the Lord’s word & His promises– 2 Tim 3:1-9; 16,17; 2 Jn 1:9; Heb 13:5; Their Doubt . . . • They claimed that they had been delivered to die – Ex. 17:1-3; Num 13:27-14:12; 20:2-4 • Is the Lord among us or not? – Ex. 17:7; Num. 11:5; Exodus 19:5-6; Deut 28:9-45
Lessons . . . • Many are not satisfied with the worship and work of the church as given by the Lord – • Too boring & exclusive! • Emotionalism – • Secular, social . . . Their Doubt . . . • They claimed that they had been delivered to die – Ex. 17:1-3; Num 13:27-14:12; 20:2-4 • Is the Lord among us or not? – Ex. 17:7; Num. 11:5; Exodus 19:5-6; Deut 28:9-45
Lessons . . . • Elders need to be men of FAITH & VISION – • Every blessing God has promised us is there for us to accept or reject – (truth over error; Righteousness over sin; heaven over hell) • We MUST Believe God! Their Leaders . . . • The evil report - We CAN’T!!! – Num 13:31 • People accepted the evil report and rejected good leadership!! – Num. 14:1-10 • God’s judgment! – Num 14:22-30
Lessons . . . Their Leaders . . . • The evil report - We CAN’T!!! – Num 13:31 • People accepted the evil report and rejected good leadership!! – Num. 14:1-10 • God’s judgment! – Num 14:22-30
Lessons . . . • The church has always had trouble on the inside – • Judaizers – Gal. 5:12-15 • Gnostics – 1 John 4:1-6 • Preeminent – 3 John 9 • Compromisers - Re 2:14 • Permissive – 1 Cor. 5:1-7 • Divisive – Rom 16:16,18 Contention . . . • Korah’s gainsaying, (Moses has failed!!) divided the camp - Num. 16:1-14,21,28-38 • The next day the congregation complained even more – Num. 16:41-49.
Lessons . . . • The unfaithful often complain!! • The Christian about to quit – finds fault with the preacher, elders, teachers, finally with the church, and even the Lord himself.– Contention . . . • Korah’s gainsaying, (Moses has failed!!) divided the camp - Num. 16:1-14,21,28-38 • The next day the congregation complained even more – Num. 16:41-49.
The Difficult Way Num. 21:4 . . . • “And the Lord sent fiery serpents among the people.” Num. 21:6. • But the Lord provided a way to be healed!! Num. 21:7-9
John 3:14-15 (KJV) And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: [15] That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. The Difficult Way Num. 21:4 . . . • We too can become discouraged - Heb. 2:1-3; 3:17-19; 12:1-3. • We too can be guilty of sin and need the forgiveness which God offers – 1 John 1:9-2:2
Will you go ON – OR GO BACK?? Have you been baptized into Christ??