In the Midst of our Flaws, God Provides!

December 22
Exodus 16:1-19:25
Survival in the Wilderness
Read Dr. Spina’s commentary at www.spu.edu/lectio

Moses, Part 2…and the final word

Summary

Throughout this series, we’ve been exploring in Genesis & Exodus a literary concept that makes an appearance in the best-selling young adult novel The Fault in Our Stars by John Green: Hamartia, or the "tragic flaw" in one's character.  Dictionary.com defines hamartia as “the flaw in character which leads to the downfall of the protagonist in a tragedy.”  It comes from the Greek word meaning “to miss the mark,” the same word the New Testament uses for sin.  While a character flaw is not technically sin, it often is related to it.  Simply put, our flaws are often where sin takes root in our lives.

A few weeks ago we discussed Moses and his tragic flaw of fearfulness.  In this week’s reading of Exodus 15-19, we encounter Moses as the wise & mostly confident leader of God’s people.  What happened?  In a word, the LORD happened.  The LORD never gives up on Moses, but more than that amazing fact, the LORD actually encourages, supports, and builds Moses into the person he was meant to be.  In the midst of our flaws, God provides!

There are two examples of divine provision in the text:

1. Food & Water in the Desert (16:1-17:7). The LORD provides strength for the journey based on grace, not merit.  Manna, quail, & water are provided not as reward for faithfulness but as basic equipment for daily life.  These blessings are given to all of the people regardless and in spite of their flaws.  They are given daily, not to be hoarded, so reliance on God becomes a lifestyle.  As then with them, so now with us!
2. People to Share the Load (17:8-18:27).  The LORD provides Moses with a person in his life who speaks wisdom – Jethro, his father-in-law.  Moses is burning himself out doing everything on his own, administering justice among the people.  Jethro notices and suggests to Moses that he invite people to help him with the task, people who would share the load of managing disputes.  Okay, it’s more than just a suggestion…he confronts Moses with the words “You can’t do it all by yourself!” (Exodus 18:18).  That’s an exhortation we need to hear, especially in light of our tragic flaws.  Never are we more vulnerable to our flaws than when we’re operating in isolation, not open to the wisdom words of others.

And speaking of words of wisdom, our text ends just before the LORD gives the Decalogue – the Ten Commandments – to the people.  As in the Sinai theophany of Exodus 19, the LORD appears in our lives to offer words of profound & foundational wisdom (profoundational!).  That’s what we've encountered on this journey of reading, learning, and growing in God’s word, the Bible.

The good news is that God walks with and works through sinners like us.  Like Martin Luther, we can rejoice in the status described by the Latin phrase "Simul Justus et Peccator" – simultaneously guilty of sin and justified by Christ.

Personal Identification Questions

• How has God provided for you in relation to your tragic flaws?

• How might God be wanting to provide for you in relation to your tragic flaws?

• Who has God put in your life to help you along the journey?  Who might God be wanting to bring into your life right now in light of what you’re facing?

Prayer of Confession

LORD, why is it so easy for me to try to do everything on my own without relying on your gracious provision?
I’m sorry…
For trying to do everything on my own
For not receiving the assistance of the people you send me to help with my journey
For not allowing your words of wisdom to shape and strengthen me in relation to my tragic flaws
Lead me not into temptation, and deliver me from evil.
Amen.

Encouragement

Philippians 4:19-20 (ESV)
And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.

Romans 5:1-5 (ESV)

Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.
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Now in Theaters...the movie Exodus: Gods & Kings.  Click here to see the trailer on YouTube.