Gospel BC – The 10 Commandments

Day 1: Bitterness at the Oasis – Abiding in Trust

Summary

Just three days after crossing the Red Sea, Israel came to Marah, where the water was bitter. They grumbled. But God was leading them to an oasis. This moment teaches us that God often uses hardship to reveal what we’re pitched toward—bitterness or belief.

Read

• Exodus 15:22–27

• Philippians 2:14–16

• James 1:2–4

Background

The Hebrew word for “grumble” in Exodus 15 can also mean “to dwell” or “camp.” The Israelites weren’t just complaining; they were pitching their tents in bitterness. And yet, God was leading them to a place of provision.

Key Words

• Grumble (lun) – to murmur, abide, lodge.

• Test – God reveals what’s in our hearts (Deut. 8:2).

• Oasis – Elim, with 12 springs and 70 palm trees (abundant provision).

Theological Truths

“Grumbling is the accent of unbelief.” – John Piper

“Faith, in contrast to murmuring, sees the bitter water and believes God can sweeten it.” – Thomas Watson

Gospel Connection

Like Israel, we are tempted to grumble when life gets hard. But Jesus drank the bitter cup of judgment so we could receive the sweet water of grace. He abided in the will of the Father—even unto death—so we could abide in Him (John 15:4).

Questions for Reflection

1. What does your first response to hardship reveal about where you’ve pitched your heart?(MULTILINE)

2. Where might you be camping in bitterness instead of moving forward in trust?(MULTILINE)

3. How has God led you to an oasis after a season of testing?(MULTILINE)

Application

Take time today to confess any areas of grumbling. Write down a recent “Marah” moment, and next to it, write what God might be teaching or revealing in that moment.

Day 2: Bread from Heaven – Hungering for More

Summary

God provided manna in the wilderness—daily bread for daily needs. This points forward to Jesus, the true Bread of Life, who satisfies not just our hunger, but our hearts.

Read

• Exodus 16:4–5, 14–18

• John 6:30–35

• Matthew 6:11

Background

Manna was God’s miraculous provision, appearing with the dew each morning, perishable after one day. It taught dependence and pointed toward something more: God’s eternal provision in Christ.

Key Words

• Manna – Hebrew for “What is it?” (Exodus 16:15).

• Daily Bread – a reminder of constant dependence.

• Bread of Life – Jesus, the sustenance for our souls.

Theological Truths

“The manna was a type of Christ, who is the spiritual food for our souls.” – Matthew Henry

“We are all beggars. This is true.” – Martin Luther

Gospel Connection

Jesus reinterpreted the manna as a shadow of Himself. He is the living bread come down from heaven. While manna sustained physical life, Christ gives eternal life. The wilderness doesn’t satisfy—but Christ does.

Questions for Reflection

1. What are you hungry for spiritually right now?(MULTILINE)

2. How do you see Jesus as your daily sustenance, not just a Sunday Savior?(MULTILINE)

3. Are there places where you are trying to store up spiritual “manna” rather than trust daily?(MULTILINE)

Application

Begin your day tomorrow by reading John 6 and praying: “Jesus, be my bread today.” Don’t just eat physically—feed spiritually.

Day 3: Struck Rock – Living Water Poured Out

Summary

In the wilderness, Israel thirsted. God told Moses to strike a rock, and water flowed out. Paul tells us that the Rock was Christ. He was struck so we could drink deeply of salvation.

Read

• Exodus 17:1–7

• 1 Corinthians 10:1–4

• John 7:37–39

Background

Thirst in the desert exposed Israel’s lack of faith. God’s response wasn’t condemnation but provision—water from a rock. Paul later identifies this rock with Christ, showing how God’s provision foreshadows redemption.

Key Words

• Massah & Meribah – testing and quarreling.

• Rock – A symbol of Christ (Psalm 18:2).

• Living water – the Spirit, given to believers.

Theological Truths

“The rock bore the stroke of the rod so that the people could live… Christ bore God’s wrath to give us life.” – R.C. Sproul

“Grace flows not from our merit, but from the wound of the Rock.” – Charles Spurgeon

Gospel Connection

Jesus was smitten—struck by divine justice—so living water could flow to us. His crucifixion is the fulfillment of the rock at Horeb. He gives the Spirit (living water), satisfying our deepest thirst.

Questions for Reflection

1. What are you truly thirsting for?(MULTILINE)

2. In what ways have you tested God, asking “Is the Lord among us or not?”(MULTILINE)

3. How does knowing Christ was struck for you change how you see God’s provision?(MULTILINE)

Application

Today, drink a glass of water slowly and give thanks. Let it remind you of Christ, the Rock, struck for your salvation.

Day 4: 50 Days – Law & Spirit, Thunder & Fire

Summary

Fifty days after the first Passover, Israel received the Law at Sinai. Fifty days after Jesus’ death and resurrection, the Spirit descended at Pentecost. Law and Gospel are part of the same redemptive arc—revealing sin and empowering grace.

Read

• Exodus 19:16–20

• Acts 2:1–4

• 2 Corinthians 3:6–9

Background

Sinai thundered with fire and fear. The Law was written on stone. But at Pentecost, the Spirit descended as tongues of fire—and wrote the law on hearts. What the Law commanded, the Spirit now empowers.

Key Words

• Covenant – Binding promise between God and His people.

• Pentecost – 50 days after Passover, the feast of firstfruits.

• Tablets of stone vs. tablets of flesh – external vs. internal covenant.

Theological Truths

“The law is written on stone tablets; the gospel on hearts of flesh.” – John Calvin

“The Spirit works not only to expose sin but to empower holiness.” – Michael Horton

Gospel Connection

At Sinai, the law exposed sin. At Pentecost, the Spirit enabled obedience. Christ fulfilled the law and poured out His Spirit so that we would be not just hearers of the law, but transformed doers through grace.

Questions for Reflection

1. What does the contrast between Sinai and Pentecost reveal about your relationship to God?(MULTILINE)

2. How does the Spirit help you keep what the Law commands?(MULTILINE)

3. What law or command do you need the Spirit’s help to obey today?(MULTILINE)

Application

Pray: “Holy Spirit, write your Word on my heart. Empower me to live not by the letter, but by Your power.”

Day 5: The Law and Me – From Mirror to Map

Summary

The Law reveals God’s holiness and my sin. But in Christ, it becomes a guide—not a gavel. The Law once condemned; now it teaches, protects, and points us to love.

Read

• Exodus 20:1–17

• Romans 7:7–13

• Galatians 3:23–25

Background

The Law was never meant to save, but to reveal. It drives us to Christ. In Him, we’re no longer under its condemnation. But now, as children of God, we obey it out of love, not fear.

Key Words

• Tutor/Guardian – The Law, pointing us to Christ.

• Justified – Declared righteous by grace through faith.

• Freedom – Not freedom from the Law, but freedom in Christ to live rightly.

Theological Truths

“The Law sends us to Christ, and Christ sends us back to the Law to learn what pleases our Father.” – Sinclair Ferguson

“Grace does not nullify the Law but fulfills its righteous requirements through Christ.” – Herman Bavinck

Gospel Connection

Jesus fulfilled the Law on your behalf. Now, its demands are met in Him. You are free—no longer crushed by commandments, but guided by them. Grace doesn’t make the Law irrelevant. It makes obedience possible.

Questions for Reflection

1. When you read the Ten Commandments, do you feel condemned or led?(MULTILINE)

2. How does the gospel free you to love the Law, not fear it?(MULTILINE)

3. What does obedience look like in love—not obligation?(MULTILINE)

Application

Write out the Ten Commandments in your own words—as invitations from your Father, not accusations from a judge.