Moses and Israel – God’s Amazing Provisions for Them Then and for You Now

 

I have edited this material. The original author is unknown to me.

What God did for Moses and Israel is overwhelming when you think about it. Moses and the people were in the desert, but what was he going to do with them? They had to be fed, and feeding two or three million people requires a lot of food. The answer? God's presence with them, His awareness of their circumstances, and His ability to meet their needs.

The Quartermaster General in the Army at one time reportedly estimated that Moses and the people would have to have had 1,500 tons of food each day. To bring that much food each day would have required two freight trains, each at least a mile long.

Of course, since they were out in the desert, so they would have needed firewood to use in cooking all this food. This would take 4,000 tons of wood and a few more freight trains, each a mile long, just for one day.

And just think, they were forty years in transit. That would be 14,600 days!

And oh yes! They would have to have water. If they only had enough to drink and wash a few dishes, it would take 11,000,000 gallons each day and a freight train with tank cars, 1,800 miles long, just to bring it!

And imagine this. They had to get across the Red Sea at night. Now, if they went on a narrow path, double file, the line would be 800 miles long and would require 35 days and nights. So there had to be a space in the Red Sea, three miles wide, so that they could walk 5,000 abreast, just to get over to the other side in only one night.

But then, there is another problem. Each time they camped at the end of the day, they would require a campground two-thirds the size of the state of Rhode Island. That is a total of 750 square miles long … think about it!

Do you think Moses figured all this out before he left Egypt? Probably not! Moses believed in God, and God took care of these things for him and for the people he led. Now do you think God has any problem taking care of all your needs? 

Let us take courage; we have the same God! We think our problems are so big, even insurmountable. Remember what God can do! Remember what He has done! Team up with God, follow His lead, and submit to His will. Then your problems will be His.

He brought Israel through their wilderness. He will bring you through yours.

Mark 9:23 And Jesus said to [the father who said, “If You can …”], “‘If You can?’ All things are possible to him who believes.”

Mark 11:22 And Jesus answered saying to them, “Have faith in God. 23 “Truly I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says is going to happen, it will be granted him. 24 “Therefore I say to you, all things for which you pray and ask, believe that you have received them, and they will be granted you.

 

Parallels Between Moses and Jesus

The image above makes one think of the Transfiguration (Matt 17:1-9). On that occasion God the Father distinguished Jesus from Moses and Elijah by saying, "This is My Son! Listen to Him!" I have borrowed and edited the list below.

Fascinating Comparisons of Moses and Jesus

Moses was born as a Hebrew.	Jesus was born as a Hebrew.
Moses was chosen by God to be a leader.	Jesus was chosen by God to be a leader.
Moses was born while his people were suffering under a cruel leader. (Pharaoh)	Jesus was born while his people were suffering under a cruel leader. (Herod)
Moses hid in Egypt as a child.	Jesus hid in Egypt as a child.
The leader of the land tried to kill all of the male babies when he was born.	The leader of the land tried to kill all of the male babies when He was born.
Moses turned water into blood.	Jesus turned water into wine.
Moses died on a hill.	Jesus died on a hill.
Moses fasted 40 days and faced a spiritual crisis on a mountain.	Jesus fasted 40 days and faced a spiritual crisis on a mountain.
Moses told people about the need for a Passover lamb.	Jesus became the Passover lamb.
Moses founded a new religion.	Jesus founded a new religion.
Moses communicated directly with God.	Jesus communicated directly with God.
Moses performed miracles.	Jesus performed miracles.
Moses revised an existing religion.	Jesus revised an existing religion.
Moses was a law giver – gave the Ten Commandments.	Jesus was a law giver – clarified the two great commandments.
Moses was hated by the ruling party (Egyptians).	Jesus was hated by the ruling party (Pharisees).
Moses had brothers and sisters who misunderstood him.	Jesus had brothers and sisters who misunderstood him.
Moses chose 12 leaders to follow.	Jesus chose 12 leaders to follow.
Moses gave his people a new identity as a people.	Jesus gave his people a new identity as a people.
Moses had followers who strayed from his teachings.	Jesus had followers who strayed from his teachings.
Moses is the lead figure of the Old Testament.	Jesus is the lead figure of the New Testament.
Moses taught his followers how to pray.	Jesus taught his followers how to pray.
Moses chose people to carry on when he was leaving.	Jesus chose people to carry on when he was leaving.
Moses led his people to the promised land.	Jesus leads his people to the promised land.
Moses sent 12 spies to Canaan so he could bring people to the promised land.	Jesus sent 12 disciples to the world so he could bring people to the promised land.
Moses appointed 70 rulers over Israel.	Jesus sent 70 disciples on a mission.
The people picked up stones to stone Moses but they did not succeed.	The people picked up stones to stone Jesus, but they did not succeed.
Moses controlled the Red Sea.	Jesus controlled the Sea of Galilee
Moses brought living water.	Jesus brings living water.
The face of Moses shone with glory on Mount Sinai.	The face of Jesus shone with glory on the Mount of Transfiguration.
Moses lifted the brazen serpent up in the wilderness to heal people.	Jesus was lifted up on the cross to heal us from our own sins.
Moses was a shepherd.	Jesus was the good shepherd.
Moses subdued an attacking army by raising his arms high on the top of a hill.  (with two other people).	Jesus subdued sin and death with arms raised high on a hill.  (with two other people).
Moses said another prophet would come (Jesus).	Jesus said another Helper would come (Holy Spirit).
Those who did not follow Moses died in the wilderness because of their lack of faith.	Those who refuse to follow Jesus will face eternal death because of their lack of faith.
Moses fed thousands supernaturally with bread.	Jesus fed thousands supernaturally with bread.
Moses took a Gentile bride.	Jesus took a Gentile bride (the church)
Moses led the Israelites in a victory song after the victory in Egypt.	This song will be repeated at the end as a victory song for Jesus.
There is a long period of silence in the story of Moses from the time he was a child until adulthood.	There is a long period of silence in the story of Jesus from the time he was a child until adulthood.
Moses showed compassion to a woman getting water at a well.	Jesus showed compassion to a woman getting water at a well.
Moses’ mission was to redeem Israel from slavery to Egypt	Jesus’ mission was to redeem mankind from slavery to sin.
Moses was loved and supported by his sister Miriam.	Jesus was loved and supported in his ministry by His mother Mary (Miriam).
Moses gave God’s law on Mount Sinai.	Jesus gave the Sermon on the Mount from the Mount of the Beatitudes.
Moses offered his life to save his people after the sin of the golden calf.	Jesus offered His life to save the world.
Moses rejected a lavish, ruling lifestyle in the house of the Pharaoh.  Instead, he chose a humble life.	Jesus rejected the offers of Satan to be the ruler of this world and instead chose a humble life.
Moses washed Aaron and his sons with water.	Jesus washed the feet of his disciples.