George Ruheni, PhD.

Water from the Rock at Rephidim However, Israel continues their journey through the desert based on the command of the Lord and ends up at Rephidim, a place which has no water for the children of Israel to drink from. This event chronologically takes place after the manna event described in Exodus 16 and before Israel comes to Mount Sinai. Therefore the people contended with Moses, and said, “Give us water, that we may drink.” (Exodus 17:2). The wilderness experience is significant because the Israelites learn to trust in the provisions made by God in the wilderness.   In response to their thirst, the people grumble and accuse Moses of leading them out of Egypt only to allow them to die in the wilderness.  This shows that their grumbling is more than a cry of physical want, it is a cry born of spiritual doubt. Time after time, the people of Israel view their difficulties as evidence of God's abandonment, rather than as a chance to trust God. And the people thirste...

  The Way of the Righteous and the Danger of Influence The beatitude “ Blessed is the man ” begins the psalm. Moreover, the psalm narrates the development from the walk in the counsel of the wicked to the stand in the path of sinners and further to the sit in the seat of the scorners. This means that the level of participation in sinning increases. One evil brings propensity for another evil, and end their life in total apostasy [Genesis 4:7]. Blessed is the man, who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful (Psalm 1:1). Similarity of the idea that spiritual formation is highly reliant on association can be observed in [Proverbs 4:14–15], where the people are warned against participating in the ways of the wicked, and in [1 Corinthians 15:33]: “Bad company corrupts good character.” Therefore, righteousness does not only consist in the actions of people but also in their abstention from certain acts. Conse...

The Wilderness of Sin and the Crisis of Hunger Soon after the deliverance at the Red Sea, the Israelites enter into the wilderness and are immediately tested with the need of food. According to historical accounts, this takes place approximately one month after the Exodus out of Egypt. Therefore, the people are in a transition period from deliverance to covenant-making. The wilderness of Sin, situated between Elim and Sinai, is a test both geographically and spiritually. Then the whole congregation of the children of Israel complained against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness (Exodus 16:2) The Israelites murmur against Moses and Aaron, reminiscing about Egypt as a place of abundance without realizing that the life there was miserable. This is not only a complaint about food; it is a sign of lack of trust in the Lord’s provision. This episode is described in [Numbers 11:4–6] as Israel complaining about food. It is also interpreted as a test of faith in God in the hearts of the pe...

This chapter provides the greatest example of Israel’s deliverance from the sea in poetic form. Having gone through the great miracle at the Red Sea, Israel shifts from the act of deliverance to one of worship, which leads to singing songs such as the “Song of the Sea” by Moses and the Israelites and the song by Miriam. In Exodus 15:1-18, Exodus 15:19-21, and Exodus 15:22-27, the people start praising God for His greatness and then are tested. Therefore, the entire chapter can be seen as an account of the people giving glory to their God for His mighty hand and power as displayed through them. Nevertheless, this chapter also marks the first corporate worship service of Israel after deliverance from slavery.   The lyrics start with exuberance: “ I will sing to the LORD, for He has triumphed gloriously .” This is completely God-focused rather than man-focused. It is not a song about Israel’s strength but one of God’s triumphs. God is referred to many times in this song in terms o...

The book of Exodus tells the story of the crossing of the Red Sea, when God liberates Israel from Egypt and displays his incomparable sovereignty. It is not just an escape story, it is a declaration of God's saving work. It is the final separation of Israel from Egypt and an event around which all subsequent redeemers focus their attention. This happened somewhere near the area of the Nile Delta in the east, where desert, waters, and battle ways cross. Then I will harden Pharaoh’s heart, so that he will pursue them; and I will gain honor over Pharaoh and over all his army, that the Egyptians may know that I am the Lord .” And they did so (Exodus 14:3). For God, the actions were carefully planned, He told Israel to stay near the sea at the end of the journey. From the human point of view, it may seem a bit unwise. However, it was all done according to God's plan. Moreover, even the actions of Pharaoh turned out to be a part of God's scheme for redemption. The Pharaoh ...

The chapter Exodus 13 occurs in between Passover and liberation (chapter 12) and the miraculous crossing of Red Sea (Chapter 14). The chapter is not one that deals with actions but meaning and identity. We have already been saved but now God starts forming us to be His chosen people. Salvation is the beginning of a lifelong process known as discipleship. First, salvation comes and then instruction on how to live follows. The first thing God did was declare that all the firstborns belong to him. This is in relation to the tenth plague when the firstborns of Egyptians died but those of Israel lived. Firstborn symbolized life, vigor, and continuity. Their being dedicated meant that we had life because of the mercy of God. The method of redemption involved sacrificing animals and redeeming humans (substitute is offered). Life belongs to God because He redeemed it, not because we earned it.   God commanded Israel to annually remember their deliverance. The symbols of remembering wer...