“ All the congregation of Bnei-Yisrael journeyed from the wideness of Sin in stages , according to the command of Adonai , and camped in Rephidim , but there was no water for the people to drink . So , the people quarreled with Moses and said ‘ Give us water to drink , And Moses said to them , ‘ Why do you quarrel with me ? Why do you test Adonai ?”
This passage from the Torah reminds us of two powerful lessons where such quarreling was meant to strive in opposition against another , to strive in controversy and as seen in leading a dispute , and as a result is done to wage a dispute with God ; and refuses God ’ s blessings ! Those who hardened their hearts in the rebellion ( Heb . 3:8 ) had in fact hardened their hearts against the promises of God , while refusing to believe that He who made an oath to Israel would fulfill what He had promised !
Counter to this hardening of heart , Hebrews 3:7-4:13 reminds us that those who choose to take God at His word , not only believe Him , but also are determined to be certain and unwavering in their trust even if their natural circumstances looked nothing like what God had promised . ( Heb . 11 ) Their certainty in the power of God ’ s oath in turn , provides us endurance , courage , strength , and spiritual vitality . Even more amazingly however , they ( Israel ) were participants in setting up and establishing the nature of God ’ s economy here on earth for generations to come . ( Heb . 11:39 ) What a heritage we have been given !
So , what I see here in all of this is this take-away : That the only abandoning done in our relationship with God , is done by us . God does not abandon us ! If there is a breach in our relationship with Him , it is only because we have chosen to walk away . When God makes an oath , He fills it with provision for us . We will always have the choice to either take Him at His word , or not . Let ’ s not allow the circumstances of life , and the brokenness of people , rob us of such a great inheritance in Messiah Yeshua ! Let ’ s take God at His word , and live out the power of His oath !
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