[Exodus 16-17]

H – Exodus 17:4, “So Moses cried to the LORD, “What shall I do with this people?………”

E – I’ve had enough!

Have you ever been to the place that you’ve had enough of people? (hahaha) Boy, I have. But, if I’m honest I’m sure that because of my attitude and actions, at times, others have had enough of me too. 

I’ve ben amazed in reading through Exodus how many times that God acted to show that He was the LORD. He acted over and over again so the people would know that HE was the LORD. 

Yet, after a great deliverance (ch.14) and a worship session of triumph and praise (ch.15), it didn’t take long for the people to look inward instead of upward. They began to look at what they didn’t have instead of what they did have. Oh my! (that “oh my” was for me)… They began to grumble. They were thirst, they were hungry, they were tired, they didn’t get what they wanted. Then the grumble of selfishness turn outward in attack to someone else, Moses and Aaron. [It’s always someone else’s fault for why I don’t have what I think I need = victim mentality]. 

However, Moses paints one of the most amazing theological statements for God’s people yesterday, today, and forever. Exodus 16:7–8, “[7] …… or what are we, that you grumble against us?” [8] …… the LORD has heard your grumbling that you grumble against him—what are we? Your grumbling is not against us but against the LORD.”

It’s so easy to grumble against others as we focus inwardly on what we have, don’t have, want, don’t want, and personal preferences; just as long as I’m comfortable with me and I get what I want. You see the people of Israel thought they were grumbling against Moses and Aaron. But, because Moses and Aaron were walking in obedience to the LORD, their grumbling was against HIM. 

But, isn’t it just like God to take a people’s selfishness and still reveal Himself (16:12) and call them to what He has always and will always call them to; OBEDIENCE (16:20,27). It was through their obedience that HE would meet their needs and give them what they desired. 

However, they didn’t listen, they didn’t obey, and their grumbling turned to quarreling. They couldn’t get over their give me, give me, give me selfishness and wondered if the LORD was even with them (17:7)[Don’t we at times ask the same?]. HE HAD BEEN WITH THEM THE WHOLE TIME, showing Himself over and over and over and over again. 

Moses had had enough! 

It could have been easy for Moses to give up, throw in the towel, crawl in a hole, be done ministering to others, but he didn’t. At one of his most weary moments, in the midst of the grumbling, quarreling, and an attack of God’s people by the Amalekities; God used Aaron and Hur (companions to Moses) to minister to him. They lifted him up and kept him steady. 

Which bring me to the point! We don’t need to give attention to the grumbling or the quarreling, allowing them to take our focus away from obedience. However, we do need others in the battle with us. We need people to lift us up, not tear up down. We need others to hold us steady, not knock us over. We need others to battle with us, not stab us in the back. 

AND, I NEED TO BE THE SAME FOR OTHERS. 

A – Don’t let my “I’ve had enough of people” take my focus away from obedience or keep me away from the people I need the most; those who see my weariness and lift me up. Notice my Aaron and Hur’s. Who are they? Spend time with them. Let them invest into my life. Don’t run away or hide. Embrace them, be encouraged by them, let them bear the burdens with me (ch.18), and thank God for them. 

Remain Obedient!

R – Lord God, I know I’ve been like Israel. I have been selfish. I have complained, grumbled, and quarreled over not getting the things that I wanted. Lord thank you for not giving up on me during those moments and for continuing to show yourself to me. Thank you for opening up my eyes. They need to be continually opened. Lord God, thank you for the Aaron and Hur’s that you have used in my life to encourage me and hold me steady when I’ve been wearied by others and wanted to throw in the towel. Lord, I confess today that I am here and who I am because “You Are My Banner” (17:15).

In Jesus Name!