5 Times Seeing Was Not Believing

5 Times Seeing Was Not Believing

*Both the King James Version and New living Translation may be used. The King James Version of the bible is known to be a faithful translation of the original languages of the bible that accurately conveys the meaning behind those words and events. It is known to be more scholarly than any of its predecessors. The New Living Translation is used to be a clear and readable translation to the original texts used.

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This bible study is on the events that unfolded with Moses and the Israelites in the book of Exodus.

Introduction

God performed great and mighty acts in order to free his chosen people, the Israelites, from captivity in Egypt. He did this through great wonders and signs using his faithful servant Moses. Not only did God deliver them, He promised them that He will bless them with a land flowing with milk and honey. However, throughout the course of the journey to get to their promised land, the Israelites consistently complained and showed tremendous doubt in God, despite the miracles He performed.

Throughout their history, the Israelites broke their covenant with God countless times through acts of idolatry, pagan practices, and adulterous behaviors. They lacked faith in God and did not believe who He said He was despite their profound experiences with Him. Here are 5 times the Israelites show that seeing is not believing.

5 Times Seeing Was Not Believing

1. They saw the wrath of God and still did not believe in God.

During their course in Egypt, the Israelites endured many hardships as slaves. They cried out to God to deliver them from their misery and He sent His servant Moses. The Lord knew that the one keeping the captive known as Pharaoh would not let them go easily. So God rightfully judged Him and his people due to not keeping His word countless times and letting the Israelites go. In Exodus 8, we see one of the first plagues God sent was the Nile River was swarmed with frogs. Afterwards, He sent many more plagues including the plague of the gnats, flies, festering boils, hail, locusts, and against their livestock. 

The final and most deadliest one was the death for Egypt’s first son. The Lord did this against Egypt to deliver his own people from any more suffering and give them their land. After seeing the wrath of God several times, the Israelites still did not believe and trust in their God. Later on, we see them engaging in idolatry, which is worshiping other gods and other foul acts causing them to break their covenant with the Lord who delivered them mightily from their enemy.

2. They saw the faithfulness of God and still did not believe in God.

Each time God sent something, He forewarned Pharaoh of the judgment that would befall him. For example in Exodus 8:2–3, God warned Pharaoh what would happen if he refused. 

Exodus 8:2-3 (NLT): “2 If you refuse to let them go, I will send a plague of frogs across your entire land. 3 The Nile River will swarm with frogs. They will come up out of the river and into your palace, even into your bedroom and onto your bed! They will enter the houses of your officials and your people. They will even jump into your ovens and your kneading bowls.”

From here, we can clearly see that the Lord is a faithful God as He said He is.  Moreover, He sent Moses and promised the Israelites that He would deliver them out of Egypt. The Lord kept every word that came out from Him. He is not a man that shall lie or the son of man that shall repent (Number 23:19 KJV). If He was going to do it, He was. He showed Himself to be faithful. Yet, the Israelites saw and could not believe it. They saw countless times how God said a word and promised to them. They saw how He kept it every time. But when a new situation occurred, the Israelites did not believe God would prove himself to be faithful again.

3. They saw the power of God and still did not believe in God.

During this time of deliverance, the Israelites witness many powerful acts of God. One of the most memorable ones is in Exodus 14 when the Lord through his servant Moses, literally split an entire sea in half. This is not an exaggeration. The Lord parted the Red Sea in order for the Israelites to fully walk on the ground and make it to the other side. I do not know about you, but I for one have NEVER seen a sea part in half for anyone to walk through, let alone an entire nation. This must have been some sight to behold. Below is a depiction of what this powerful scene must have been like for anyone who witnessed it.

Exodus 14:21-22 (NLT): “21 Then Moses raised his hand over the sea, and the LORD opened up a path through the water with a strong east wind. The wind blew all that night, turning the seabed into dry land. 22 So the people of Israel walked through the middle of the sea on dry ground, with walls of water on each side!”

Not only were they provided deliverance supernaturally, the Lord also striked their enemy on their behalf. In Exodus 15:26-27, the Egyptians tried to continually pursue the Israelites to the other side but the Lord did not allow this. He caused their enemies and chariots that were following them to be drowned into the sea.

 Exodus 14:26 – 27 (NLT): 26 “When all the Israelites had reached the other side, the LORD said to Moses, “Raise your hand over the sea again. Then the waters will rush back and cover the Egyptians and their chariots and charioteers.” 27 “So as the sun began to rise, Moses raised his hand over the sea, and the water rushed back into its usual place. The Egyptians tried to escape, but the LORD swept them into the sea.”

This enormous deliverance from the enemies deeply moved the Israelites and led them to sing praises to God. They sang a song of deliverance to the Lord as worship and gratitude (Exodus 15:1-19). They saw what the Lord did for them. However, deep down, they did not truly have faith in God as their true provider, strength, and deliverer. We will see as their story progresses.

4. Saw the provision of God and did not believe in God.

The Lord God showed himself amongst the Israelites to be truly Jehovah Jireh. Jehovah Jireh is a profound name of God and means that “The Lord Will Provide” (Genesis 21:14). This is exactly what He has done for his people. He provided for them a great deliverance from being slaves and He provided for them defeat from their enemies. Yet, it still was not enough for the Israelites to change their heart posture to believe. After their great deliverance from the Red Sea and singing praises to God for it, they begin to complain due to being hungry in Exodus 16.

Exodus 16:2-3 NLT “2 And the whole congregation of the children of Israel murmured against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness: 3 And the children of Israel said unto them, Would to God we had died by the hand of the LORD in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the flesh pots, and when we did eat bread to the full; for ye have brought us forth into this wilderness, to kill this whole assembly with hunger.”

They accused the Lord, their provider, of sending them to the wilderness to die. Despite all the great things they saw, they could not believe that the Lord was truly on their side and was going to help. It is clear that the Israelites’ heart posture was not in the right place. They had hearts of stones that could not be moved regardless of what God showed them. Seeing is not Believing. Believing is having faith in your heart. And “faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen” (Hebrews 11:1). Regardless, the Lord is a provider despite what the Israelites believed. He promises that He would provide bread from heaven and provide meat for them. 

Exodus 16:4 (NLT): “Then said the LORD unto Moses, Behold, I will rain bread from heaven for you; and the people shall go out and gather a certain rate every day, that I may prove them, whether they will walk in my law, or no.”

Exodus 16:8 (NLT): “And Moses said, This shall be, when the LORD shall give you in the evening flesh to eat, and in the morning bread to the full; for that the LORD heareth your murmurings which ye murmur against him: and what are we? your murmurings are not against us, but against the LORD.”

So the people had food to help them in their hunger and did not thank the Lord. This small detail shows that the Israelites not only do not truly believe in the Lord with all their heart but are not thankful unto Him, as well. In Exodus 17, the Israelites became thirsty. Instead of having remembrance of literally seeing God provide bread from the sky for them, they chose to not believe again that He is who He says He is – A provider.

Instead of remembering, they chose to murmur the exact same words that the Lord has brought them out of Egypt to kill them (Exodus 17:3). At this point, they are well aware that the Lord God can hear every complaint against him, even if it was in their heart or out loud. But God. Being such a provider that He again showed up for them again and provided water for them (Exodus 17:6). 

One of the most important aspects to ponder is that the Israelites had a reason to be concerned for a lack of water and food. However, if they truly believed they served a faithful God who provides, then their response would have differed. Instead of complaining, they would have begun praying. They continually doubted the presence and provision of God among them. They would have understood the minute they prayed  and relied on God to meet their immediate needs, He would have. Thus, their actions show their true unbelief.

5. Saw the manifestation of God and still did not believe in God.

Upon their journey, the Lord manifested himself to lead the Israelites to their promise and. He went ahead of them during the day with a pillar of cloud and he provided light at night with a pillar of fire (Exodus 13:21-22). This way they can travel by day or by night:

Exodus 13:21-22 KJV “ 21 And the LORD went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud, to lead them the way; and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light; to go by day and night: 22 He took not away the pillar of the cloud by day, nor the pillar of fire by night, from before the people.”

Moreover, it says that God did not remove the pillar of cloud or the pillar of fire in front of his people to ensure that they had reassurance that He was with them the entire way through. It was his manifestation that acted as proof He was there. Despite the overwhelming evidence, the Israelites still chose to doubt and did not believe in God. 

Challenges to Belief Based on Sight

From this, we see there were many challenges to belief based on sight. The Israelites only wanted to believe when they immediately saw God. But even then, their seeing Him did not make them truly believe in Him. Therefore, seeing is not believing.

But God said in John 20:29 “Blessed are those who believe without seeing.” God wants us to believe in him and his promises he made to us without seeing the manifestation of it first. This shows our complete faith and  trust in God. For the word says, faith comes by hearing and hearing the word of God.

It also says when you come to God you have to believe that He is and He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek him. So even when you see no rain or wind in sight (2 Kings 3:17), God wants to know if you will still trust his word and believe in him on what He said will pass and his word regarding His promises to you. He wants to see if you truly believe He is faithful, that He does exalts his word above his name and that he is not a man that he shall lie or the son of man that he shall repent.

The word Hebrews 11:1 also says “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. NOT SEEN. God truly wants us to not be moved or convinced by what we see but by what He promised and told us. This is the evidence of faith in Him. Our deliverer.

Also, from their previous actions, it is clear that they had reverence because they saw His manifestation but did not truly believe in their hearts. 

Application

Whenever the Israelites “SAW” the pillar of cloud that is when they could believe in God.

This is a big problem. This means the people are moved by what they see. So if they see a manifestation that could have come from the kingdom of darkness (Satan), they would have been moved as well and worshipped it, as the Israelites have done with many idols such as with the golden calf (Exodus 32). We cannot be a people moved easily by what we see, for this leads us into worshiping of money, lack of faith in God, greed, fear, envy, discouragement (which my God is the opposite of hope) and other like sins. Seeing is not believing.

When we do not have true faith in God, we do not believe the promises God gave us in His word. Instead

• We become a people not believing God is working everything out for our good like he says he is (Romans 8:28). 
• We do not believe there are angels of the Lord in heaven fighting on our behalf that may be taking longer to our liking (Psalm 91:11, Psalm 35:5-8, Luke 22:43 ). 
• We do not believe that God is orchestrating our deliverance as we sleep or speak (Romans 8:28, Jeremiah 29:11). 

Having this mindset just makes us not believe in God and lack faith in His promises.

Decree and Declare God’s Promises 

We need to become a covenant people not moved by what we see but have faith in our heart based on the word of God heard. Having true faith in what God said. And declaring and prophesying that word He promised us out loud. The word of God says that you shall decree a thing and it shall be and it shall be established unto you (Job 22:28 KJV). This means that whatever we declare out of our mouths, it will be carried out. For the word of God says the power of life and death is in the tongue (Proverbs 18:21). Instead of having doubt in God, choose to have faith in God and decree His promises over your life.

• Decree: I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength even though I “SEE” I am tired. (Philippians 4:13)
• Decree: I am more than a conqueror in all these things, even when you “SEE” you are discouraged and not doing well. (Romans 8:37)
• Decree: I am the head not the tail, I am above not beneath at your job, school, or workplace (Deuteronomy 28:13).
• Decree: All things work out from my good, when the good news has not come yet.  (Romans 8:28)
• Decree: God delights in the prosperity of his servants, when you feel unsure if God is for you. He is always rooting for you and not against you. (Psalm 35:7)
• Decree: He who began a good thing in me, will complete it in the name of Jesus Christ, when fear starts to creep in. (Philippians 1:6)
• Declare when I resist the devil, he flees when doubt and fear keep coming in. (James 4:7)
• Declare God exalts his word above His name so He WILL do what He has promised in your life. (Psalms 138:2)
• Decree: For you know the plans you have for me, which are plans to prosper me and not to harm me, when you want His will to be established in your life. (Jeremiah 29:11)
• Decree: This is an easy thing for God to do, because He said it is and for with God nothing is impossible.(2 Kings 3:18, Luke 1:37,Matthew 19:26)

Conclusion

Overall, seeing is not believing. Faith is believing. Faith is having hope in things not seen and based on what we heard in the word of God. Hold onto His sure promises in your heart at all times. When circumstances occur, we have been given the authority to speak to our situations in the name of Jesus and declare His promises. “Through faith, we understand that our world is shaped by the word of God.”

This is powerful. It allows us to know that things unseen can be declared out loud to be seen. So continue to prophesy the word of God and thank Him in advance when nothing has occurred in the physical world. God will see your faith in him (things hoped for and not seen) and reward you. He wants to reward you, prosper you, and be for you.

He is good.

Blessing: “May the Lord bless you and protect you. May the Lord smile on you and be gracious to you. May the Lord show you his favor and give you his peace.” Numbers 6:24-26 (NLT):

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Prayer: Thank you Lord for this word. I thank you because I know you are the God who brought it to me in a time like this. I receive the promises and plans that you have for my life. Please strengthen my faith and allow me to trust in you at all times. When doubt starts to creep in, remind me of your everlasting promises that you have given me. I know you are with me always and I thank you for showing yourself as a faithful God. I pray to grow my faith in you as you continually guide me in all my ways. In Jesus Christ’s name I pray, amen.