Old Testament: Exodus 16:2-15 (Pentecost 11: Series B)
Old Testament: Exodus 16:2-15 (Pentecost 11: Series B)
Though we are nothing and weak in this world and counted as naught, God has graciously given us all things in Christ.
Our text today describes the events which took place for the people of God in the wilderness between Egypt and Mount Sinai. After they left the verdant oasis of Elim, God’s people became short on food, water, and what they need to survive. Naturally, they do what people would be expected to do in moments like this, they complain, and Moses and Aaron face harsh accusations of grumbling Israelites. This is not just some gang of discontents though; this is the whole of the people of Israel. Our text today shows the loving patience and grace of our God as He responds to their physical and spiritual needs.
Let us focus on just one repeated point in our text. It is a simple question with big implications: “What are we?” Verses 7 and 8 bring up this central problem in our text. It is an issue which can only become Gospel by contrast. Moses’ honest inquiry in this part of the reading is really a rhetorical question. Everybody knows the answer in the context. What are we “Israelites?” We are complainers and grumblers. We are the host of the ungrateful. Considering all God has done to deliver us from slavery in Egypt, we all have rejected Him. The Israelites are a people who are driven by their selfish wants, and if you listen hard enough to the text, you can hear the breaking of Moses’ heart in these words. But Moses has turned to God for the answer. They cannot solve their problem, and they cannot save themselves. They are just as dependent on God in this moment as they were in every moment leading up until now and every day for the rest of their lives. Only God can save them. This has always been the answer.
The question of “what are we” can only honestly be answered with “nothing.” But this question also expects a gospel-based counter question: “Who is God?” The answer to that question is everything. Literally, God is everything. He is patient, kind, and gracious. In all His dealings with His people, He is the God who does, did, and will do it all for them. This question highlights a contrast which mirrors the Christian life as well. Look at what Paul says in 2 Corinthians 4:7-12 about what and who we are:
But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies. For we who live are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our mortal flesh. So, death is at work in us, but life in you.
Literally, God is everything. He is patient, kind, and gracious. In all His dealings with His people, He is the God who does, did, and will do it all for them.
Like the Israelites we are sinful and selfish, bringing nothing to the table when it comes to settling up with the LORD for sin. Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ that He has given us everything we need for life and salvation through Him. God did it all when He gave us His Son as more than provision but also eternal life through His death and resurrection. Notice here Paul’s point of how we Christians are also counted as nothing by the world yet are filled with the treasure of the Gospel of God in Christ Jesus. These questions and their gospel contrast teach us a powerful truth about God. Though we are nothing and weak in this world and counted as naught, God has graciously given us all things in Christ.
Since the text has a Question Answered Structure, that is the construction we will use for the sermon:
“This structure identifies a significant question for the hearers (in other words, one that cannot be easily answered and that addresses matters which are significant to the hearers, such as “theodicy”) and then theologically considers one or more feasible but unsatisfactory answers before arriving at a final satisfactory resolution.
The question is simple, memorable, and remains the same throughout the entire sermon. It cannot be answered with a “yes” or “no,” but invites the hearers into processing various answers. The movement toward a faithful answer provides the dynamic progression of the sermon. This progression could be a movement from false answers to a true answer or from partial answers to a full answer. The preacher avoids trite false answers that will insult the hearers, and he seeks to have a final resolution that proceeds from the Gospel.
The sermon usually opens by depicting the human or textual dilemma that raises the focusing question. The answers are then arranged in a climactic scheme, offering more development to the later answers. In dismissing the false or partial answers, the preacher is clear about the theological reasoning that guides the discussion and thereby teaches the hearers how to think through matters theologically. Along the way, the preacher is careful not to raise distracting issues or to change the question. Finally, the sermon concludes by proclaiming the satisfactory gospel-based answer.”[1]
------
Additional Resources:
Craft of Preaching-Check out out 1517’s resources on Exodus 16:2-15.
Concordia Theology-Various helps from Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, MO to assist you in preaching Exodus 16:2-15.
Text Week-A treasury of resources from various traditions to help you preach Exodus 16:2-15.
Lectionary Kick-Start-Check out this fantastic podcast from Craft of Preaching authors Peter Nafzger and David Schmitt as they dig into the texts for this Sunday!
------
[1] https://concordiatheology.org/sermon-structs/thematic/question-answered/
