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Sermon Outline

Exodus

The Bread and Water of Life

Lesson #7 for August 16, 2025

Scriptures:Exodus 15:22-18:27;Genesis 3:1-6; 1 Corinthians 10:4,11.

  1. To what do the terms bread of life and water of life refer?

[From the Bible study guide=BSG:]Exodus 15:22–18:27 describes Israel’s journey to Sinai. The passage contains five narratives: two stories are related to the gift of water. The first water narrative, at Mara, concerns making bitter water sweet (Exod. 15:22–27). The second water narrative concerns water springing from a rock (Exod. 17:1–7). In between these two stories lies miraculous gifts of food—quail and manna—and teachings about how to keep the Sabbath (Exod. 16:1–36). These three wonders—water, quail, and manna—are followed by two additional accounts, namely, the Lord’s gift of victory over the Amalekites (Exod. 17:8–16) and Jethro’s visit, during which time he gives wise advice to Moses (Exod. 18:1–27).―Adult Teachers Sabbath School Bible Study Guide* 93-94.†‡§

[BSG:] God’s miraculous intervention to rescue His people from bondage, an unprecedented and unrepeatable event, was to be remembered, and regularly commemorated, in the Passover. The Israelites were redeemed and free to go, but freedom is a costly commodity. God’s signs and wonders were performed on Israel’s behalf, resulting in divine judgments falling upon Egypt. These judgments were not merely punitive for the Egyptians but were instructive for the Israelites as well, helping them to know the true God and what the real, lasting values were in life. God presented Himself as a loving and just Redeemer, a mighty Warrior who had rescued Israel from slavery. These dramatic events were designed to lead His people to fully trust Him as their wise Guide and Caregiver and thus to depend upon His leadership.

After the great deliverance from Egypt, the Red Sea experience, and the splendid celebration of God’s salvation from the hands of Pharaoh and his army, God led Israel to the Desert of Shur, where they traveled for three days without finding water. Here the Israelites were presented with another test of trusting the Lord (Exod. 15:25). [For what do you think God was waiting?] Just prior to this test, the Israelites trusted the Lord after crossing the Red Sea and seeing the defeat of Pharaoh (Exod. 14:31). Would they continue to stay on the path of implicit trust in God, with a confident attitude in their Leader? All that had happened in the past days and weeks should have been etched into their memories. Would they remember God’s leadership when the hardships of life struck again?―Adult Teachers Sabbath School Bible Study Guide* 93.†‡§

[BSG:] After leaving Egypt, Israel was on an unknown journey to the Promised Land. The people faced a demanding and long trek, and they needed to learn a multitude of new lessons. The Lord would lead and care for them; and, yes, He desired to help them grow, but they must learn discipline, self-control, sacrifice, unselfishness, trust in the Lord, and especially obedience. [Wow!]

Moses was a visible leader, and the people had to follow him and his leadership if they were to triumph. It was crucial for them to stay together, to cooperate as a community, and to assist each other. There were many hindrances and challenges ahead. So much of their spiritual growth would depend on how they met those challenges and how they responded to Moses, especially when the challenges became great.

The familiar Chinese saying that “a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step” was true in their situation, and they needed to trust the Lord’s directions with every footstep. Tragically, as we will see, they didn’t learn those lessons so easily.

But then again, who does?―Adult Sabbath School Bible Study Guide* for Sabbath Afternoon, August 9.‡

The Bitter Waters

Exodus 15:22-27: 22 Then Moses led the people of Israel away from the Red Sea into the desert of Shur. For three days they walked through the desert, but found no water. 23Then they came to a place called Marah, but the water there was so bitter that they could not drink it. That is why it was named Marah. 24The people complained to Moses and asked, “What are we going to drink?” 25Moses prayed earnestly to the Lord, and the Lord showed him a piece of wood, which he threw into the water; and the water became fit to drink. [Did it stay sweet?]

There the Lord gave them laws to live by, and there he also tested them. 26He said, “If you will obey me completely by doing what I consider right and by keeping my commands, I will not punish you with any of the diseases that I brought on the Egyptians. I am the Lord, the one who heals you.”

27 Next they came to Elim, where there were twelve springs and seventy palm trees; there they camped by the water.—American Bible Society. (©1992). The Holy Bible: The Good News Translation®* [GNT] (Today’s English Version) [TEV], Second Edition,Exodus 15:22-27). Philadelphia: American Bible Society [abbreviated as Good News Bible-TEV* or GNB-TEV*].†‡

  1. Unfortunately, the children of Israel had become so accustomed to God’s miraculous interventions that they just assumed that God would take care of them. They sang about God’s miracles in the song of Moses and Miriam; however, then, the complaints started.

[BSG:] The first test of Israel’s faith is associated with the need for water, not surprising given the harsh, hot, and dry desert environment. After three days of traveling, the people finally found water, but it was undrinkable. Marah means “bitter,” and because the water was bitter, Israel’s faith in their caring Lord quickly floundered. However, God reacted with compassion, and the first miracle was performed with a piece of wood. Of course, it was not the wood but the Lord who made the water sweet and drinkable. The people had to learn important lessons: (1) patience in waiting for the Lord’s timing, and (2) that God does things in co-operation with humans.―Adult Sabbath School Bible Study Guide* for Sunday, August 10.‡§ [Did they become patient?]‡

[BSG:] For the first time in the book of Exodus, the Hebrew root lun—“murmur,” “grumble,” “complain”—appears in our story about the lack of potable [drinkable] water in the Desert of Shur. The Israelites stopped at Mara, where the water was bitter; so, the “people grumbled against Moses” (Exod. 15:24, NIV). Unfortunately, lun became a key expression that marks Israel’s stories of wandering through the wilderness. It is a dominant word in the stories of manna and quail, where this negative term occurs eight times (as a verb inExodus 16:2, 7, and 8; as a noun inExodus 16:7, 8; and twice more in verses 9 and 12). It also is mentioned in the next account regarding water springing from the rock in the Rephidim narrative (Exod. 17:3–6). The same idea of murmuring or grumbling occurs in the book of Numbers (Num. 14:2, 27, 29, 36; Num. 16:11, 41; Num. 17:5, 10). This term is used outside of the Pentateuch only inJoshua 9:18.

When the people complained, Moses cried out to the Lord, which is now mentioned for the third time in Exodus (Exod. 8:12,Exod. 14:15,Exod. 15:25). The Lord directed Moses to throw into the bitter water a piece of wood. Thus, the water was healed when Moses followed God’s instructions. In the context of the water’s healing, the Lord promises that He will not bring upon them “ ‘any of the diseases [Hebrew: mackalah]’ ” He “ ‘brought on the Egyptians,’ ” if they will carefully listen and obey Him. To secure His promise, He uses a divine formula: “ ‘I am the Lord who heals you’ ” (Exod. 15:26, NKJV). The Lord refers to the various illnesses in connection with the ten plagues (see also God’s promise inExod. 23:25). No such plague will fall on the faithful.

In the wilderness, water is a life-giving product. Without water, one cannot live; it is a source and sustainer of life. Water is life. One can survive without it for only a few days. No wonder we have several important stories and miracles related to water in Exodus and Numbers. Afterward, Israel encamped in Elim, where there was plenty of water and shade from the palms.―Adult Teachers Sabbath School Bible Study Guide* 94.‡Ω§ [From where did that water come?]‡

[BSG:] Unfortunately, there is a repetitive pattern of rebellion in these pilgrimage stories. The people were notoriously forgetful that the mighty hand of God had helped them in the past and that He had provided solutions to their problems. They let their present problems blind them to their ultimate goal and their promised wonderful future. It’s a common problem even among God’s people today, as well.―Adult Sabbath School Bible Study Guide* for Monday, August 11.†‡

[BSG:] In biblical narratives, different roles are played by different characters, good or bad, and we need to pay close attention to plots, places, timing, and villains. However, the most important point in a storyline is usually the solution and the lessons learned. [The most important point in each storyline in the Bible is what it says about God!] It’s no different in these accounts.

As the episodes show, God is the Problem Solver and the Peacemaker; however, His work is complicated by people’s unbelief. [Why is that?] As a result of their constant murmuring and disobedience, the Hebrews experienced serious complications, even tragedies. They brought upon themselves many difficulties because of their incredulity and unrepentance.―Adult Sabbath School Bible Study Guide* for Sunday, August 10.‡

  1. Despite all that, God in His graciousness took care of them, giving them food and water.
  2. What about us? In our day, what are the reasons for the delay in Jesus’s second coming? More of the same problems! See Evangelism 694-697.

(See https://egwwritings.org/read?panels=p30.3848&index=0.)

Quail, Manna, and the Sabbath

  1. ReadExodus 16:1-36. The people were hungry and complained bitterly.

Exodus 16:2-3: 2There in the desert they all complained to Moses and Aaron 3and said to them, “We wish that the Lord had killed us in Egypt. There we could at least sit down and eat meat and as much other food as we wanted. But you have brought us out into this desert to starve us all to death.”—Good News Bible-TEV.* [Travel time with a direct route would have been about 2 weeks!]‡

  1. God “heard” them and sent quail for them to eat and started sending manna regularly.

[BSG:] The Lord mercifully responded to the grumbling of the people, who complained that they did not have meat and other food that they had enjoyed in Egypt. Their speech is full of exaggerations and bitter irony. The Israelites recalled their full plates while slaving for Pharaoh. In response, however, the Lord promised that He would provide them with bread from heaven as well as quail. He said that in the evening they would have quail and in the morning bread from heaven. It happened precisely as predicted (Exod. 16:13). The surprise was in the morning, because they had never seen manna before, so they asked, “What is it?” (Exod. 16:15). This question is the meaning of the word “manna.”―Adult Teachers Sabbath School Bible Study Guide* 94-95.‡§

Exodus 16:15: When the Israelites saw it, they didn’t know what it was and asked each other, “What is it?” [Manna?]

Moses said to them, “This is the food that the Lord has given you to eat.”—GNB-TEV.*‡ [What do you think manna looked like? SeeExodus 16:31.]‡

John 6:31: “Our ancestors ate manna in the desert, just as the scripture says, ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat.’ ”—Good News Bible-TEV.*

Manna and the Sabbath

  1. Manna appeared every day except Sabbath.

[BSG:] Manna, of course, was a heavenly bread that God supplied the Israelites with during their 40 years of sojourning in the wilderness. Through this gift, He taught them that He is the Creator and the Provider of everything. Also, God used His supernatural provision of manna to show them how to keep the seventh-day Sabbath. [Did the angels bring this food? Or, did it fall like rain?]

Each week four miracles happened: (1) for five days, God gave a daily allotment of manna; (2) on Fridays, a double portion of manna was given; (3) the manna did not spoil from Friday to Sabbath; and (4) no manna fell on Sabbath. God was constantly performing these miracles so the people would remember the Sabbath day and celebrate God’s goodness on that day. God said: “ ‘Bear in mind that the Lord has given you the Sabbath’ ” (Exod. 16:29, NIV).―Adult Sabbath School Bible Study Guide* for Monday, August 11.†‡§

[BSG:] With the gift of manna, God taught the Israelites how to observe and live the Sabbath. Jesus calls manna the “bread from heaven” (John 6:31), which is a reference toExodus 16:4. Thus, manna was the bread the Lord gave His people to eat in the desert (Exod. 16:15). For 40 years, manna was provided for the Israelites (Exod. 16:35). The provision of manna ceased only when the Israelites celebrated their first Passover in the Promised Land (Josh. 5:10–12).―Adult Teachers Sabbath School Bible Study Guide* 95.‡§

[BSG:] Another miracle with the bread from heaven was the Lord’s command to Moses to take an omer of manna, about 3.64 liters, put it into a jar, and then place it in front of the Testimony (Exod. 16:34). Later, the omer of manna was put into the ark of the covenant (Heb. 9:4) [covenant box] as a reminder to future generations. This manna did not spoil, even though the longest length for its staying unspoiled was only two days, from Friday to Sabbath.―Adult Teachers Sabbath School Bible Study Guide* 95.‡§ [Is that manna still there?]‡

[BSG:] The noun “Sabbath” (Hebrew: shabbat) several times is highlighted in the book of Exodus and mentioned for the first time in the Bible inExodus 16:23, in which it is described as a “Sabbath rest” (Hebrew: shabbaton) and a “holy Sabbath to the Lord.” This verse is the first explicit command regarding Sabbath observance and contains three imperatives: “bake,” “boil,” and “lay aside” (ESV)! Sabbath should be celebrated. It is interesting that verse 25 adds the fourth imperative: “Eat”! Eat the manna today. Eating is closely tied to the observation of the Sabbath. The temporal term “today” is used three times in this text in connection with the Sabbath, thus emphasizing the miracle of eating manna on Sabbath because God provided it. In verse 25, it is stated that this is a “Sabbath to the Lord” (NIV), and verse 26 explains that the Sabbath is the seventh day of the week. Verse 30 connects Sabbath to rest: “So the people rested [Hebrew: shabat] on the seventh day.” The triad of key words in this passage ofExodus 16:23–30—namely, “Sabbath,” “today,” and “rest”—ties in withHebrews 4:7–10, in which Paul also elaborates on the ideas of “Sabbath,” “today,” and “rest.” The word “Sabbath” appears in the book of Exodus also in the following texts: inExodus 16:25, 26, 29; Exodus 20:8, 10, 11; Exodus 31:14, 15 (twice), 16; andExodus 35:2, 3.

In the apex of the manna story, when some people went out on Sabbath to gather manna, God asked a very pointed question:

“ ‘How long will you refuse to keep my commands[?]’ ” (Exod. 16:28, NIV). The Lord uses the word “refuse” to describe their willful action. They needed to learn that the Sabbath was a gift, one that is reinforced by the fact that the Lord provided the food for them. Therefore, they did not need to collect manna for themselves on Sabbath.―Adult Teachers Sabbath School Bible Study Guide* 95-96.†‡Ω§

Food – A Temptation

[BSG:] People like to eat. We were created to like to eat. The rich abundance of food, growing out of the ground (our original diet), reveals not only that God wants us to eat but [also] that we are to like what we eat, too. How, though, can this wonderful gift, that of food (and our liking to eat it), be abused?―Adult Sabbath School Bible Study Guide* for Monday, August 11.‡

[BSG:] It is important to notice that temptations in the Bible are often related to food. In the Garden of Eden, the Fall was related to eating from the forbidden tree of the knowledge of good and evil (Gen. 2:16, 17; Gen. 3:1–6). In Jesus’ wilderness temptations, Satan’s first shot at Him was through food (Matt. 4:3). Esau lost his firstborn rights because of his undisciplined appetite (Gen. 25:29–34). How often was Israel’s disobedience connected to food and drink! No wonder Moses reminded later generations [Deuteronomy 8:3 is then quoted].―Adult Sabbath School Bible Study Guide* for Monday, August 11.‡§

Genesis 2:16-17: 16He [God] told him [Adam], “You may eat the fruit of any tree in the garden, 17except the tree that gives knowledge of what is good and what is bad. You must not eat the fruit of that tree; if you do, you will die the same day.”—Good News Bible-TEV.*‡

Genesis 3:1-6: 1 Now the snake was the most cunning animal that the Lord God had made. The snake asked the woman, “Did God really tell you not to eat fruit from any tree in the garden?” [Notice the twist in meaning in what the snake implied!]

2 “We may eat the fruit of any tree in the garden,” the woman answered, 3 “except the tree in the middle of it. God told us not to eat the fruit of that tree or even touch it; if we do, we will die.”

4 The snake replied, “That’s not true; you will not die. [The snake essentially said, “God has lied to you!”] 5God said that because he knows that when you eat it, you will be like God and know what is good and what is bad.”

6 The woman saw how beautiful the tree was and how good its fruit would be to eat, and she thought how wonderful it would be to become wise. So she took some of the fruit and ate it. Then she gave some to her husband, and he also ate it.—Good News Bible-TEV.*†‡

  1. The experience of Esau and Jacob also involved food, hunger, and appetite. ReadGenesis 25:29-34, the story of Esau, selling his birthright to Jacob.
  2. Jesus Himself also was tempted with food after He had fasted for 40 days.

Matthew 4:3: Then the Devil came to him and said, “If you are God’s Son, order these stones to turn into bread.” [Then Jesus quotedDeuteronomy 8:3.]—Good News Bible-TEV.*‡

Deuteronomy 8:3: “He made you go hungry, and then he gave you manna to eat, food that you and your ancestors had never eaten before. He did this to teach you that you must not depend on bread alone to sustain you, but on everything that the Lord says.”—Good News Bible-TEV.*

Water From the Rock

  1. ReadExodus 17:1-7. The people again thought they were dying of thirst. God instructed Moses to hit the rock with his walking stick. Water came out of the rock.

[EGW:] …. Moses smote the rock, but it was the Son of God who, veiled in the cloudy pillar, stood beside Moses, and caused the life-giving water to flow. Not only Moses and the elders, but [also] all the congregation who stood at a distance, beheld the glory of the Lord; but had the cloud been removed, they would have been slain by the terrible brightness of Him who abode therein.

In their thirst the people had tempted God, saying, “Is the Lord among us, or not?”—“If God has brought us here, why does He not give us water as well as bread?”—Ellen G. White, Patriarchs and Prophets* 298.2-3.†‡

[https://egwwritings.org/read?panels=p84.1307&index=0]‡

[BSG:] Moses called the place Massah, meaning “testing,” and Meribah, which signified “quarreling.” The Lord gave the Israelites water despite their unbelief. These two names should have reminded the Israelites not to test God and not to quarrel with Him (Heb. 3:7, 8, 15). They seriously questioned God’s presence among them, although they had already seen much tangible evidence of not only His presence but [also] of His power and His authority….

Water is a symbol of life because without water there is no life. Every cell in our body needs water. We are 60 percent water ourselves. Even our bones are composed partly of water. Thus, providing water in the wilderness for them was a sign for the Israelites that God cared for their needs and that they could trust Him. But, again, they had to obey.

Many centuries later, Paul, in1 Corinthians 10:4, reminds believers that the experience of the Israelites in the wilderness was unique. Christ Himself not only guided them but [also] provided them with water (Ps. 78:15, 16) and met other spiritual and physical needs. Paul proclaimed: “That Rock was Christ.” For them, Christ was the Source of life and the Giver of eternal life. As a rock is solid, so God firmly led His people. One can count on Him because He does not fail to fulfill His promises.―Adult Sabbath School Bible Study Guide* for Tuesday, August 12.‡§

1 Corinthians 10:3-4: 3All ate the same spiritual bread 4and drank the same spiritual drink. They drank from the spiritual rock that went with them; and that rock was Christ himself.—Good News Bible-TEV.*†

Jethro

  1. ReadExodus 18:1-27. Under the leadership of Moses, the children of Israel had finally arrived near the place where Moses had lived for 40 years. So, Jethro, Moses’s father-in-law, brought his wife and their two sons to join them. Surely, Moses was very happy to see them.
  2. How do you think Jethro learned about the experiences of the children of Israel?

[BSG:] Jethro came because he had heard about the astonishing deliverance God had done for Israel. Moses narrated to Jethro in detail “everything the Lord had done to Pharaoh and the Egyptians for Israel’s sake and about all the hardships they had met along the way and how the Lord had saved them” (Exod. 18:8, NIV).

Jethro praised God’s kindness and extraordinary interventions on behalf of His people, declaring,

“ ‘Blessed be the Lord, who has delivered you out of the hand of the Egyptians and out of the hand of Pharaoh and has delivered the people from under the hand of the Egyptians. Now I know that the Lord is greater than all gods, because in this affair they dealt arrogantly with the people’ ” (Exod. 18:10, 11, ESV).

What we see here is an example of how God’s work among His people was to be a witness to the world of who the true God is and of what He can do for His people.

At the same time that Jethro learned about the true God, he himself had something to offer God’s people: wise and beneficial advice. Moses needed to organize the legal system with just and fair principles. He also needed dedicated and faithful judges, men of integrity. Jethro wisely enumerated the following qualifications: (1) men who fear God; (2) men who are trustworthy; and (3) men who hate dishonest gain. Capable people of good character had to be appointed over different units of thousands, hundreds, fifties, and tens. In this way, Moses’ administrative load would be reduced, and he could focus on significant problems. Thus, the people would be well served.―Adult Sabbath School Bible Study Guide* for Wednesday, August 13.†‡§

  1. Fortunately for the children of Israel, Moses accepted the counsel from his father-in-law.

Deuteronomy 1:9-18: 9 Moses said to the people, “While we were still at Mount Sinai, I told you, ‘The responsibility for leading you is too much for me. I can’t do it alone. 10The Lord your God has made you as numerous as the stars in the sky. 11May the Lord, the God of your ancestors, make you increase a thousand times more and make you prosperous, as he promised! 12But how can I alone bear the heavy responsibility for settling your disputes? 13Choose some wise, understanding, and experienced men from each tribe, and I will put them in charge of you.’ 14And you agreed that this was a good thing to do. 15So I took the wise and experienced leaders you chose from your tribes, and I placed them in charge of you. Some were responsible for a thousand people, some for a hundred, some for fifty, and some for ten. I also appointed other officials throughout the tribes.

16 “At that time I instructed them, ‘Listen to the disputes that come up among your people. Judge every dispute fairly, whether it concerns only your own people or involves foreigners who live among you. 17Show no partiality in your decisions; judge everyone on the same basis, no matter who they are. Do not be afraid of anyone, for the decisions you make come from God. [SeePsalm 82:6.] If any case is too difficult for you, bring it to me, and I will decide it.’ 18At the same time I gave you instructions for everything else you were to do.”—Good News Bible-TEV.*†‡

[BSG:] Jethro’s visit is a narrative par excellence [sic] about godly leadership. Moses was learning and growing in his leadership skills. He was a God-centered leader who acknowledged God’s leadership in his life and for Israel. Moses also was an exceptional listener, who was filled with gratitude and praises for God. He was a visionary; yet, he needed to learn how to delegate responsibility. He was teachable even though he was a strong leader. What was it about Moses that enabled him to be open to new ideas and areas of improvement without taking constructive criticism personally or being threatened by suggestions for growth?―Adult Teachers Sabbath School Bible Study Guide* 97.‡

[BSG:] Moses could have just brushed off the old man and told him to mind his own business. He didn’t. What important lessons can we learn from his willingness to listen to this person who wasn’t even a Hebrew?―Adult Sabbath School Bible Study Guide* for Wednesday, August 13.†‡ [Jethro was a Midianite. Midian was a son of Abraham and Keturah, Abraham’s wife after Sarah died. So, Jethro was a Hebrew!]‡

[SDA Bible Dictionary:] Hebrew. [Heb. ‘Ibrî; Gr. Hebraios.] It is uncertain whether the Hebrew term means “one from the other side” or “pertaining to ‘Eber.” Both interpretations have been defended by commentators. The fact that Abraham, the ancestor of the Hebrews, came from the other side of the Euphrates (Gen 11:28-32; 12:4, 5; Jos 24:2, 3, 15), and was the first to be called a “Hebrew” in the Bible (Gen 14:13), has been set forth to support the first meaning. However,ch 10:21 refers to Shem as “the father of all the children of Eber,” as if these children were, in the opinion of the author of Genesis, more important than his other descendants. According toch 10:25 Eber had two sons, one Joktan, from whom all the Joktan Arabs descended (vs 26-29), and the other his elder brother Peleg, through whom the chosen people came (ch 11:16-26). It seems more reasonable therefore to regard the term ‘Ibrî as meaning “descendant of ‘Eber,” and to consider the definition “one from the other side” as merely coincidental.—Horn, S. H. (1960). In The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Dictionary (p. 448). Review and Herald Publishing Association.†‡Ω§

The Bread and Water of Life

  1. Both Jesus and Paul used the experiences of the children of Israel in the wilderness as examples to teach great lessons.

John 14:6: Jesus answered him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life; no one goes to the Father except by me.”—Good News Bible-TEV.*

  1. ReadJohn 4:7-15 andJohn 6:31-51.
  2. It is clear that the Samaritan woman realized that Jesus had something to offer which she could not get anywhere else.

[BSG:] As the manna in the wilderness was “bread from heaven” (John 6:31, 32), so the water from the rock was Christ’s gift to satisfy their thirst. Besides these physical aspects, bread and water also had spiritual significance, for Jesus Christ is “the bread of life” (John 6:35, 48) and “the living water” (John 4:10, 11, 14; John 7:37, 38). Only in Him, then, can our spiritual thirst and hunger truly be satisfied.―Adult Sabbath School Bible Study Guide* for Thursday, August 14.‡§

1 Corinthians 10:11: All these things happened to them as examples for others, and they were written down as a warning for us. For we live at a time when the end is about to come.—Good News Bible-TEV.*

[BSG:] Paul explains that all the things that happened to the Israelites are examples and warnings for Christ’s followers and will help them avoid the same troubles; that is, they will learn from these examples. This is pertinent instruction for us, we who live at “the end of the ages” (ESV). God gives His people the Holy Spirit to strengthen the believers with “power, love and self-discipline” (2 Tim. 1:7, NIV) so they can make correct decisions and follow His teaching. Jesus Christ is the Source of new life (John 14:6), and only He can turn us into “a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God. . . . Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect” (Rom. 12:1, 2, ESV).―Adult Sabbath School Bible Study Guide* for Thursday, August 14.‡§

2 Timothy 1:7: For the Spirit that God has given us does not make us timid; instead, his Spirit fills us with power, love, and self-control.—Good News Bible-TEV.*

Romans 12:1-2: 1 So then, my friends, because of God’s great mercy to us I appeal to you: Offer yourselves as a living sacrifice to God, dedicated to his service and pleasing to him. This is the true worship that you should offer. 2Do not conform yourselves to the standards of this world, but let God transform you inwardly by a complete change of your mind. Then you will be able to know the will of God—what is good and is pleasing to him and is perfect.—GNB-TEV.*

  1. It is interesting to notice that in several places, especiallyJohn 4:7-15 andJohn 6:31-51, Jesus picked up experiences and lessons that He had tried to teach the children of Isael back during the exodus to teach additional lessons in the times of the New Testament.

Attacked by the Amalekites

  1. The trip through the wilderness was not without its conflicts and even wars.

[EGW:] The Amalekites were not ignorant of God’s character or of His sovereignty, but instead of fearing before Him, they had set themselves to defy His power. The wonders wrought by Moses before the Egyptians were made a subject of mockery by the people of Amalek, and the fears of surrounding nations were ridiculed. They had taken oath by their gods that they would destroy the Hebrews, so that not one should escape, and they boasted that Israel’s God would be powerless to resist them. They had not been injured or threatened by the Israelites. Their assault [on the Israelites] was wholly unprovoked. It was to manifest their hatred and defiance of God that they sought to destroy His people. The Amalekites had long been high-handed sinners, and their crimes had cried to God for vengeance, yet His mercy had still called them to repentance; but when the men of Amalek fell upon the wearied and defenseless ranks of Israel, they sealed their nation’s doom.—Ellen G. White, Patriarchs and Prophets* 300.1.†‡

[https://egwwritings.org/read?panels=p84.1317&index=0]‡

  1. Later Amalekite contacts with the Hebrews include King Agag whom Saul took as prisoner but had been instructed by God through Samuel to kill along with all his people and animals. (1 Samuel 15) Haman, who plotted to kill all the Jews at the time of Esther, was an Amalekite.
  2. These lessons tell us the story of the children of Israel and the exodus from Egypt and the approach to Canaan. It is a long story from which Paul and Jesus suggested that we should learn some important lessons.

[BSG:] God was present in the pillar of cloud and in the pillar of fire, but the Israelites took His presence in the cloud for granted. We also may have an outstanding work of God taking place among us and not appreciate it. How can we maintain our sense of awe for the sacredness of things related to God and His work?―Adult Teachers Sabbath School Bible Study Guide* 96-97.‡

©2025, Kenneth Hart, MD, MA, MPH. Permission is hereby granted for any noncommercial use of these materials. *Electronic version. †Bold type is added. ‡Brackets and content in brackets are added. ΩBrackets and the content in brackets within the paragraph are in the Bible study guide. §Italic type is in the source.                Last Modified: June 9, 2025                                                            Email: Info@theox.org