Exodus 17:1-7

The LORD had tested the Israelites at Marah. They expected to replenish their water supplies, only to find the water was bitter. They looked to Moses for the solution. God showed Moses the answer that He had prepared in advance, a log that would make the water sweet.

As we go on through the record of the Exodus, we find that even though they accuse God of bringing them out in the desert to starve them, He didn’t really rebuke the people at all. God was humbling them and teaching them that man does not live by bread alone, but by every Word that proceeds from His mouth. If they would listen to God, He would be their healer. Are we living by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God? (Deuteronomy 8:3[notes1] )

God will discipline them more severely and the reason He does so is related to the tests. God does not give us tests so that HE can learn how we are doing. He gives us tests so that WE can learn how we are doing. When the state of our heart is manifest, we should seriously consider what needs to change and how that change might come about. (James 1:23-25[notes2] )

My son works for a company that helps those studying for a CPA license by giving them tests. The tests are to show them where they are weak and need more study. The tests aren’t to condemn them, but to help them improve and eventually pass the real exam.

God gives us tests. At our Wednesday night Bible study, someone asked what the difference was between test and temptation. A temptation is to lure us into sin and destruction. A test is to reveal our weakness that we might improve. God never tempts us. James tells us that is not in His nature. (James 1:13[notes3] ) Satan tempts. God tests. One is meant to bring you to ruin. The other is meant to open your eyes to your weakness.

Sometimes, as we are being tested, the enemy of our soul will tempt us. (1Peter 5:8[notes4] ) That is what happened in the wilderness of Sin. God was testing them to teach them how little they looked to God for their needs. Satan was tempting them to give up and head back to the secure abundance of the Nile. Satan wanted them to go back to serving Pharaoh instead of God. There was a test and a temptation. They come from different sources and for different reasons.

We all go through a tests. In that test there are temptations. The tests are to teach. The temptations are to destroy. Learn from the tests. Reject the temptations. (1Peter 5:9[notes5] )

3 And he humbled you and let you hunger and fed you with manna, which you did not know, nor did your fathers know, that he might make you know that man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD.

[notes2] James 1:23-25 (ESV)

23 For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. 24 For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. 25 But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.

[notes3] James 1:13 (ESV)

13 Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one.

[notes4] 1 Peter 5:8 (ESV)

8 Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.

[notes5] 1 Peter 5:9 (ESV)

9 Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world.

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