Bible Study Challenge Men
Exodus 16
2013-07-09
6 reflections
📖 Read the Chapter (Exodus 16)
▼ Toggle Text
Loading Exodus 16 scripture text...
Protected Study Chapter
Protected: Exodus 16
This content is password protected. Enter the study password once below to unlock this chapter and all other chapters for your session.
Incorrect password.
Group Reflections & Comments (6)
Matt Johnson 2013-07-17 02:05:41
Kevin, how do you think this plays out practically today?
Matt Johnson 2013-07-17 02:36:09
This is a cool story. This community of people who were generational slaves are now free. God is providing their sustenance and has promised them a physically rewarding future and gives them some simple commands like don't hoard and don't work on the Sabbath. Sounds like a party! I imagine it might be stressful at first, I'd probably do some grumbling. But after 40 years I'd think they were well practiced in chillaxing and waiting for their mana. Referencing Tony's comment about Jesus being the true mana, can He provide this same experience of freedom and joy? If so, why can't I let go of my desire to self sustain. And furthermore, what does it mean to not self sustain?
Matt Johnson 2013-07-18 02:45:54
Tony,
You've mentioned some extremely long hours and sacrifices you are making getting the fledgling business out of the nest. Where does trusting God to provide play a role here? Obviously you want the business to be as successful as possible, and you have a partner who is depending on it as well for provision for himself and his family I presume. Do you ever feel like you should be spending less time on the business and more on less hunterer gatherer activities such as time with family, community service, outreach, self development, etc., and trusting God to provide financially at a more reasonable workload? I'm not asking judgmentally, its just something that's been a pressing question for me in the past... and well... still is and in my mind remains largely unanswered.
Matt Johnson 2013-07-19 02:38:28
Tony, certainly wasn't trying discourage you in any way. I've been doing these types of hours for a decade now. I don't feel as though I live an extravagant lifestyle but from a human perspective, my business, my partners in the business, and my family who has a financial need for the provision of the business has always felt more reliable than trusting God. Right now, the big thing for me is that I think my wife is feeling a strong need and desire to be home with the kids full time, yet I know what a severely negative impact that would have on the business and our personal finances. I see the same dilemma with others of my friends particularly those who went to George Fox, racked up huge amounts of student loan bills for both spouse and husband and now need those dual incomes just to keep the bills paid. I could take the leap of faith, which I'm feeling the call, or some call, to do, and it seems right from a biblical perspective. But I could take that leap of faith and end up destitute and bankrupting three different involved families within a few short months. Just thinking about it makes my stomach turn. Is it a test of faith? Absolutely. Am I failing? Absolutely. If it were just me, it'd be a totally different story... I think. Even if it were just my family I think we could be happy living in the wilderness in our big family size tent and hunting rabbits. But risking the financial security of others? Particularly my dad who has been working hard his entire life and has the largest financial stake in the business, not put there because he thought it would make him rich but put there because he wanted his kids to be able to have this experience. I've talked to my mom about it, who has the most to lose I think, and she says I should trust God, but metaphorically, I don't think I could live with the myself if I put her in a tent in the wilderness. In the meantime I'm just trying to get by, coming up with hybrid solutions, telling myself we just need another year or two of stability to accomplish some financial goals etc. I almost feel silly because its may not really even seem that radical when you compare it to the risks I feel as though the Bible would be pushing me towards if I was taking it more seriously. Not easy stuff.
Matt Johnson 2016-11-17 03:43:05
Manna doesn't sound like the most appetizing food. But its sustenance, they needed, and a test as Greg mentioned, and also it was a reward for grumbling. When my kids grumble sometimes I'll cave when it seems reasonable... like the Israelites grumbling about starving. But I can never reward grumbling too generously. Maybe this is a similar scenario.
Matt Johnson 2016-11-17 03:44:23
I enjoy these, do they come to you quick or do they take a good amount of time?