To care for someone is to provide for his or her well-being. It is to ensure that the spiritual, moral and material needs of the person are provided through proper guidance, adequate protection and the ample supply of physical needs. Guidance has to do with sound religious education and moral instruction such that the person grows up to be a responsible and contented citizen. Protection has to do with sheltering someone from any kind of danger or harm. It has also to do with divine protection against unforseen circumstances. The physical needs have to do with the provision of basic requirements such as shelter, food and clothing. God's relationship with the Israelites in the wilderness period, when they were on their way to the promised land, illustrates how God cares for His people. God guided them and protected them from all harm and danger. God provided for their physical needs so that they lacked nothing during the whole period in the wilderness. At Sinai, God ensured their spiritual and moral guidance by giving them the law-the Commandments. Gods care is an expression of His love for man. Man's duty is to reciprocate this loving care by doing God's will at all times.
Significance of God's Guidance & Protection
God showed His loving care for the children of Israel by guiding and protecting them from their enemies in their time of greatest need. The Israelites reacted favourably to God's guidance and protection. They feared God. They now believed in Him as their guidian and protector. They also believed in Moses and had full confidence in his leadership. The lesson is that God is always at hand to guide and protect us from harm and danger at all times and under all circumstances. Therefore as Christians, we should always put our trust in God tobguide and protect us. By doing the will of God, As revealed to us Jesus Christ. We learn more about how Hod guides us spiritually and morally and protects us from all harm and danger. Thus, we must endeavour to study the Bible daily to ensure God's guidance and protection for us from day to day.
The Significance of God's Provision for His People
God provided food and water for the Israelites to show that He cares for the basic needs of men, in addition to their spiritual and moral needs. He is the greatest provider who provides for all our needs even when we have not asked Him. In the two instances where God provided food and water for the Israelites, they complained bitterly and murmured against Him. This showed lack of faith in God's providential care. But, God is patient and long-suffering. He endured their ingratitude and lack of faith. The lesson is that we must never doubt God's ability to provide for our needs. We must notbbe impatient with Him. We must learn to endure patiently till God provide for our needs.
Lessons to learn
A. God was at hand to guide and protect the Israelites.
B. This means God is always at hand to guide and protect us.
C. We should learn to put pur trust in God to guide and protect us in all circumstances
Summary of the significances
A. God provides for His people in times of Great need.
B. God is long-suffering in that He endured the impatience of the people and supplied their needs. From this, we learn to wait patiently for the Lord to supply our needs.
C. The murnuring and grumbling of the people showed their lack of faith in God to bring them safely to the promised land. We must learn to show strong faith in God to provide for all our needs.
Shalom!
Cool one. His care is indeed everlasting