433 – Israel in the Desert – Before the Law

SEMESTER 3

433 – Israel in the Desert – Before the Law

BIBLE INSTITUTE OF CORRESPONDENCE

COURSE: BIBLE SURVEY III LESSON # 33

ISRAEL IN THE DESERT (BEFORE THE LAW)

Read Ex. 15:1 through Ex. 18:27. (Read it carefully)

INTRODUCTION:

1. Every experience of Israel is applicable to Christian people of this age. (I Cor. 10:6-11)
2. Their conduct as a family with freedom in the land of Canaan was terrible. (Gen. 37:23-28)
3. Their conduct as a growing people in Egypt was no better. (Acts 7:23-28, Ex. 5:21, Ex. 6:9)
4. We will find their depravity festering as they go free in the desert, and that the giving of the law does nothing to help it, and that restoration in the land still does nothing to change them.
5. Is there no hope for man? No! Absolutely none, except in God our Saviour.
6. In this lesson we will study human sinfulness, manifested in the desert, before the law.

I. THE VALUE OF SIGNS AND WONDERS TO THE DARK­ENED HEART

1. It is assumed by many religiously retarded people today that if man ever saw God’s hand in miracles, surely great faith and salvation would result.
2. Thus, we have the “seven sons of Sceva;” i.e., Oral Roberts, Kenneth Hagen, Kenneth Copeland, etc.
3. Even a surface knowledge of Scripture would show them that no miracle quickens a dead heart.
4. Israel had seen all the miracles of God that Pharaoh saw in Egypt, but was their faith any stronger?
5. Beyond this, they now have the Red Sea miracle behind them. Yet they doubt.
6. Only three days after the Red Sea they come to Marah, yet filled with doubt, so God adds another miracle. (Ex. 15:23-26)
7. A month and a half after this, they are “wishing they had died in Egypt, so God institutes two perpetual and recurring miracles (daily ones); i.e., the manna and the quail.

II. THE SOURCE OF FEAR AND DISSATISFACTION

1. This area of Israel’s history is one of Scripture’s lessons on fear and dissatisfaction.
2. We have seen an abundance of miracles showing God’s ability to bring about needed changes.
3. We have seen an enslaved people, who had been sorely op­pressed, then delivered and relieved.
4. We see a physical provision, in which no one has need, (manna and quail unlimited).
5. Yet the fear, worry, and murmuring never stop.
6. This teaches us that these things do not reflect the seriousness of circumstances, but rather the depraved state of the heart. (Heb. 3:9-15) Note particularly verse 12.
7. The person who is always dissatisfied with circumstances, has a heart that is dissatisfied with God.

III. INNER TURMOIL ISSUES IN SOCIAL AND CIVIL TURMOIL (EX. 18:13-27)

1. Let us not forget that there are a couple of million people in this congregation.
2. But let us remember also that they are only a couple of months out of the slavery of Egypt.

i. No one is out of a job, or behind on rent.
ii. No one is hungry.
iii. Their personal property is, to a great extent, a gift from the Egyptians.

3. Yet, we see so much social and civil strife that Moses cannot judge all the grievances among them.
4. I point this out to show the three stages of human strife. They are as follow:

i. His heart is not right with God (unbelief).
ii. Thus, he has no inner peace (murmuring and fear).
iii. Thus, he hates, cheats, robs and distrusts his fellow man.

5. Wherever you dwell, if you have within you an evil heart of unbelief (Heb. 3:12) you are really living in a desert.