Exodus 15-17
Episode 9 - Oct. 13, 2025
Introduction
Topanga State Park hike in the wilderness
Context
Israel enslaved for 430 years
Moses sent to rescue God’s people
God delivers Israel and destroys Pharaoh
“Free at Last!”
Moses leads Israel into the Wilderness in route to the Promised Land
God goes with Israel into the Wilderness
Israel’s story is our story
“Dangerous Journey” illustration
Three Ways God meets us in the Wilderness
God comes with us into the wilderness and provides for our practical needs.
No water at Mirah, then bitter water
Israel grumbles, “What are we to drink?”
God hears and miraculously provides clean water, an Oasis
No food at The Desert of Sin, the “whole community” grumbles
Looking back to Egypt: “If only we died in Egypt!”
We too look back on Egypt: we are no different than Israel
God hears and miraculously provides food
God reveals His glory in the pillar of cloud
Has Israel learned her lesson about God in the wilderness?
No water at Rephidim, Israel quarrels with Moses
God hears, and miraculously provides water from a rock
Hebrews 4:16
Instead of grumbling, how much better to turn to God in faith
God is our Faithful Provider
God comes with us into the wilderness and fights our battles and defeats our enemies.
Attack by the Amalekites
Joshua to fight, Moses to stand on the top of the hill
Israel wins when Moses raises the staff, bot loses when he lowers the staff
We don’t need a staff, we have a cross
When we get tired and weary, we need others to hold up our hands
God is our Might Warrior
God comes with us into the wilderness and reminds us of our salvation.
The rock Moses struck foreshadows how Jesus was struck
1 Corinthians 10:1-5
“The spiritual rock that accompanied them, and that rock was Christ”
1 Corinthians is a Reminder: Jesus was struck for us
1 Corinthians is a Warning: not all of Israel believed
Romans 8:1 for all who do believe
God is our Loving Savior
Call to Action
Whatever your circumstances, turn to God in the wilderness
