learning from the Israelites

For our recent Bible reading the children and I have been reading through the old testament, and are in the middle of reading about the Israelites in the desert.

(We read from a Bible story rather than directly from the Bible, because it makes an easier read for the children. But it is very correct and adds nothing to it, like some bible stories. It simply makes it easy to understand and follow along. I like that for old testament reading to the children, because the old testament is a hard read. But i feel its also very important.)

OK, so back to the Israelites, and what we have been learning during this read.
All kinds of good stuff. Its surprising what all can be learned from them.

One thing that is so clear and easy to pick up is that when the people obeyed God , he was with them, protecting them, guiding and leading them. But when they disobeyed and turned away from Him, He turned away from them as well.

If God said something was to be done a certain way, but they thought they had a better way, or could do it just alittle different: that was disobedience and they suffered for it. God meant what He said , and and what He said was to be done, and done His way.

Just like when the people had no water and cried on to Moses that God would give them water. So Moses and Aaron pray on to God for water, and He gives them instructions. Gather the people together in front of the rock, and speak unto the rock, and it shall give them water.
So Moses and Aaron gather the people in front of the rock. But Moses thinks he has a better plan and strikes the rock with his staff instead. Water comes flowing out. But Moses is punished for his disobedience. He would not be allowed to bring the people in to God's land. Numbers 20: 1-13.

There's an example time and time again how God give them very pacific instructions of how He wanted things done, and when they did not obey, they suffered for it.
We can learn such great things from that.
We learn that these examples can be applied to every area in our lives.
We learn that God's word was the only way.
We learn that God was, and is, and always will be the same.
We learn if we want God's blessings on us, then we must obey.
We learn that God's commandments wasn't just for His people the Israelites, it was for all His people for ever and ever.

Well I just need to keep reading and see what all many more great things we can learn!!