Pictures of Christ in Exodus 16 and 17...

Then all the congregation of the children of Israel set out on their journey from the Wilderness of Sin, according to the commandment of the LORD, and camped in Rephidim; but there was no water for the people to drink.  Therefore the people contended with Moses, and said, “Give us water, that we may drink.”

So Moses said to them, “Why do you contend with me? Why do you tempt the LORD?” 

And the people thirsted there for water, and the people complained against Moses, and said, “Why isit you have brought us up out of Egypt, to kill us and our children and our livestock with thirst?”

So Moses cried out to the LORD, saying, “What shall I do with this people? They are almost ready to stone me!”

And the LORD said to Moses, “Go on before the people, and take with you some of the elders of Israel. Also take in your hand your rod with which you struck the river, and go. 6 Behold, I will stand before you there on the rock in Horeb; and you shall strike the rock, and water will come out of it, that the people may drink.” --Exodus 17:1-6

Dear Girls,

Chapter 16 brought bread from heaven....Another foreshadowing...another picture of our God.  Jesus is the bread of life.  It was Jesus who prayed, "Give us this day our daily bread".  This is how God wants us to live...not looking to tomorrow but just to today...trusting His care and His provision for us.  Sufficient is the day's trouble.  This is such kindness and mercy on our God's part.  Look to Him in the moment...hold on for the minute, the hour, the day.  Depend on Him and He will supply all your needs according to His riches in Christ Jesus.  

Chapter 17 brings water from the rock.  No sooner had God provided the bread for their hunger that the people begin to think that He is going to allow them to die of thirst in the wilderness.  When you are tempted to complain against God, remember His faithfulness.  Remember His kindnesses to you in the past.  We are so quick to forget His mercy and all His benefits.  Ask God to increase your faith...ask God to give you the ability to wait on Him.  There is nothing so comforting...no care and provision so tailored to your need...as the ones that come as you wait on Him.  

As Moses cried to the Lord here, God instructed him to go before the people with the elders so that they could see the miracle that God would do.  God told Moses to strike the rock and when he obeyed water would come out.  In the New Testament Paul in 1 Corinthians 10 says this:

and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them, and that Rock was Christ. --1 Corinthians 10:4

Jesus is the Rock that was smitten on the cross for our sins so that we could live.  The rock struck in the wilderness brought forth water to sustain the Israelites on their journey.  If anyone thirsts, Jesus says, let him come to Me and drink.  What is it that we really want when we are fearful and begin to complain.  We want Him...Go to Him.  He is Jehovah Jireh...the Lord who provides.

Read the following verses and be struck by the beauty of this picture in Exodus.

1. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.--Psalm 42:2
2. O God, You are my God; Early will I seek You; My soul thirsts for You;
   My flesh longs for You  In a dry and thirsty land  Where there is no water.--Psalm 63:1
3. “Ho! Everyone who thirsts, Come to the waters;  And you who have no money, Come, buy and eat. Yes, come, buy wine and milk Without money and without price. --Isaiah 55:1
         
4. On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink.--John 7:37
5. And He said to me, “It is done![a] I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. I will give of the fountain of the water of life freely to him who thirsts.--Revelation 21:6
   
   
6. And the Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let him who hears say, “Come!” And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely.--Revelation 22:17

Love

Mom