Have you ever planned a trip? It is challenging. One person can plan and pack for a one-week trip in a matter of minutes. But what if you are bringing a family, or a group of families, or a youth group? There are variables to consider: food, fuel, clothing for various activities and weather, chronic health problems and illnesses contracted en route, active times and rest times, times when people can elect to participate in different things, there are educational activities and fun activities. Even the best trip planners will not be able to keep everyone happy. You will hear whining and you will see someone’s true colors.
We have all been on group trips. Can you imagine a group trip with thousands of families—all of whom have known only slavery for generations? Being a slave creates a sense of helplessness and dependence. Rather than cherishing independence, slaves get comfortable leaning on the crutch of DEPENDENCE. The master provides a job, food, shelter, healthcare, everything.
Do you know how many former slaves were part of the EXODUS? God led Moses to conduct a census.
“All those registered numbered 603,550.” Numbers 1:46.
The men of fighting age—not including Levites—numbered 603,000. If you add Levites (22,000; see Num. 3:39), old men, plus women and children, the total descendants of Israel leaving Egypt numbered as high as 1.5 million people.
Can you imagine trip planning for over a million people, many of whom are accustomed to some degree of fear and helplessness? Have you ever been to a sold-out college stadium? Many of them can seat 100,000 people. Imagine all the fans at the Super Bowl, for example. Now imagine all the fans from 15 Super Bowls, all walking the same way at the same time. They would destroy everything in their path. There would be no food, water or anything left for those at the back. Except—if God miraculously provided.
And that’s what He did. Every day for 40 years, God provided manna to feed a million people. Every day He provided clean water. He was faithful. He knew their needs and their fears, and for forty years He held them in His hands, protected them, and provided for them—miraculously.
He will do the same for you. Trust Him!
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