Provision SS2 Christian Religious Studies (CRS) Lesson Note

PROVISION: Exodus 16:1-21; 17: 1-7

Another form in which God manifests his care for his people is in the provision of their material needs.  The people had murmured and rebelled against Moses and Aaron on account of hunger.  This was in the wilderness of sin.  They openly accused Moses of bringing them out to the wilderness to starve them to death.  Moses turned to God for an answer.  This agitation gave rise to the provision of manna – “a fine flake-like thing, fine as hoarfrost on the ground.” The people were instructed to gather as much as they could eat. Some gathered more than enough. It got bad the following day.  In the course of their journey, they became thirsty and as usual murmured and demanded water. God responded immediately by telling Moses what to do; God showed him a rock which He commanded Moses to strike. Moses did and fresh water rushed out and the people drank and became satisfied. This happened at a place called Rephidim; Moses called the place ‘’Massa’’ and Meribah’’ because here the people found fault and questioned if at all the Lord was with them or not.

  LESSONS TO LEARN AND SIGNIFICANCE

1. The food (manna) that came from heaven signifies that they (Israelites) belong to the one in heaven (God).

In times of crisis, God can never forsake His people as long as they trust him.

2. God is always ready and willing to fight those who fight us as He Fought the Egyptians.
3. God is ever vigilant. He is our guardian, refuge and sanctuary.
4. There is no problem God cannot solve.
5. He is patient and endures. Several times, God provided for the people, but several times they remained ungrateful.

 GOD PROVIDES FOR ELIJAH AND THE WIDOW OF ZAREPHATH

God instructed Elijah to announce a period of dryness in the land as a result of the sins of the Israelites in neglecting the worship of God and worshipping Baal. This drought lasted for three years. God told  Elijah to the Brook of Cherith to drink and that ravens will come to feed him there. The ravens brought him bread and meat in the morning and evening. As a result of the drought, the brook dried up.

 God instructed Elijah to go to Zarephath and meet a poor widow who would take care of him. At the gate of Zarephath, he met the widow who was preparing her last meal. Elijah asked her to give him water. She obliged him but Elijah added that she should give a morsel of bread in addition. The widow told him that she wanted to prepare her last meal so that she and her son would eat and die. However, Elijah assured her that she would have an abundance of supply which would not stop until God sent rain to the land.

ASSIGNMENT

1. God provided water for the Israelites from a rock in the wilderness of:(a) Paran    (b) Massah       (d) Sin    (e) Rephidim
2. “Massa” and “Meribah” mean(a) Proof and Contention    (c) Proof and Contention    (c) Rebellion and murmuring
3. God provided water for the people at Mount ________(a) Sinai    (b) Horeb      (c) Camel
4. God provided Manna for the people _________ every day.(a) once    (b) twice    (c) thrice
5. “Stand Firm and see the salvation of the Lord”.  What complaint prompted this statement by Moses?  Complaint over _____(a) The approaching Egyptians    (b) Food    (c) Scorching heat of the wilderness