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Lessons from the Wilderness
As Moses was the leader over the Israelites, our husband is the leader over our family. There are many lessons which we can learn from looking at the attitudes of the Israelites when they cried out and complained to Moses.
1. Don't be a stench. In Ex. 5:21, we see that the workload of the Israelites was increased. They cried out to Moses, telling him that he had made them a stench to Pharaoh. When our leader (our husband) makes a decision that causes some things to come about which we don't like, we need to be careful of what happens to our attitude. We need to ask ourselves if our attitude is causing us to be a stench to him. Are we nagging? Are we being a stench to him by talking badly about him at work, with our friends, or at Bible study? Is our attitude causing a stench to those around us?
2. Be an encourager, not a whiner. In Ex. 14:11-12, they asked Moses, "Didn't we say to you in Egypt, 'Leave us alone; let us serve the Egyptians'? It would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the desert." When our husband leads us to a place that seems impossible, do we help and encourage him in the time of trouble? Do we find ourselves saying these words: "I told you so!" or "I knew this was wrong thing for us to do." -- I mentioned in another devotion about the gentle and quiet spirit from I Pet. 3:5. A gentle spirit doesn't go about causing disturbances. A quiet spirit doesn't get upset at the disturbances caused by others. This same verse also talks about women putting their hope in God. When we go through these troublesome times, we need to remember that we don't put our hope in our husband, but we must put our hope in God.
3. Don't let your words cause more bitter waters. In Ex. 15:24, we find the Israelites complaining about the bitter waters. When we look to our husband to fulfill us all of the time, we are going to find ourselves in some very bitter waters. God alone can satisfy all of our deepest desires. When the job isn't going well, money is tight, the marriage is in trouble, we need to pray for God to help us keep our mouths shut when we want to speak negatively. Proverbs 31 tells us that WHEN the virtuous woman talked, the law of kindness was on her tongue. This means that she wasn't always talking. She knew when to keep her mouth shut! We need to remember that our husband carries a huge responsibility and he needs our support. When things are really hard, or money is tight, we need to pray for God to help us in being creative in how we do things at home. We can pray for His help in being creative with what food is in the house. I have done this myself, and have been amazed with the creativity that He has shown me in those times when there wasn't an abundance of food. To do something special, we can light candles while eating or even fix a special dessert that doesn't require a run to the store. Just as Moses threw in the wood to sweeten the bitter waters, if we keep our attitudes right, God can use us mightily to sweeten the bitter waters that our husband may be facing.
4. Don't grumble. In Ex. 16:3, they grumbled that Moses brought them out to the desert to starve to death. When we grumble against our husband, we are ultimately grumbling against the Lord, who has placed him in authority over us. (Ex. 16:8) God said that He would send down bread from heaven to them. They were to go and gather enough for each day (v. 4). In verse 7, God said that they would see the glory of the Lord, which was the manna. Notice that they were told to gather as much as they needed, no more/no less. It's the same with God's mercies. In Ecc. 3:22-23, we find that God's mercies are new every morning (just like the manna). Some days we will need more mercy, and on those days, just as the Israelites were told to gather more manna on the sixth day, God will provide more mercy for us. Jesus is our Bread from heaven (Jn. 6:33, 35). He is our Bread of Life, and we only need to seek Him, and we will find the mercy, grace, and strength that we need to do what He has called us to do.
5. Don't be quarrelsome. In Ex. 17:2, the Israelites quarreled with Moses. He asked them why they put the Lord to the test. We need to ask ourselves if our words and actions provoke our husbands, not to mention provoking the Lord! Prov. 21:9 says that it's better to live on corner of a roof than to live with a quarrelsome wife. Prov. 21:19 says that it's better to live in a desert than with a quarrelsome wife. As women, most of us probably have certain times of the month where it is easier for us to fall into the trap of being quarrelsome. One thing I've learned to do, out of respect for my husband and my daughter is to tell them when I am having those days. I let them know that if I seem a little more crabby that it's not their fault. If my husband wants to discuss something with me during those times that could get me easily upset, I will suggest waiting to discuss that until the next day.
6. Learn to hold up his arms. In Ex. 17:11-12, we find that while in battle, if Moses had his arms raised, the Israelites would be winning the battle, but if he put his arms down, there was a swift change in how the battle was faring. As wives, we can help our husband to win his daily battles by being faithful to pray for him. By our intercession, our words of love and encouragement, we can help him to win many battles.
Father, help us to learn from the bad examples of the Israelites, so that we don't end up making the same mistakes. Help us in our shortcomings to rely on Your strength, remembering that You are a Faithful God, who is ever ready to help us in our time of need. Amen.
© 2003, Stacy R. Miller
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