Exodus 16:1-36
Q.1. How much had Israel learned from God’s miracles? Why did God provide manna for Israel? What is the lesson of manna for us today? How patient was God with Israel’s grumbling? – (Exo.16:1-8)
God led Israel to the Red Sea, where they were trapped. Then He led them through the wilderness, where there was no water (Exo.14:1-12; 15:22-25). Each time God had rescued them miraculously (Exo.14:13-31; 15:25-27). However, their praise quickly turned to grumbling once more, when they were led through the Sinai Wilderness – 2 The whole congregation of the sons of Israel grumbled against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness. 3 The sons of Israel said to them, “Would that we had died by the Lord’s hand in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the pots of meat, when we ate bread to the full; for you have brought us out into this wilderness to kill this whole assembly with hunger.” (Exo.16:2-3 c.f. Exo.14:11-12; 15:24). This was God’s way of teaching Israel that they should and could trust Him. This time His provision came with a purpose – “I will rain bread from heaven for you; and the people shall go out and gather a day’s portion every day, that I may test them, whether or not they will walk in My instruction (Exo.16:4 c.f. Dt.8:2-3). Moses told them that they would once more see the glory of the Lord, in spite of their complaints (Exo.16:7-8). God would provide daily ‘bread from heaven’ except on the Sabbath, before which God would provide a double portion (Exo.16:4-6). The Gospel writers underscored the importance of feeding each day on the Word of God (Mt.4:4; Jn.6:27-35). The Israelites’ gathering of their daily manna, is often seen as a spiritual picture of the Christian’s daily Bible reading and devotion.
Q.2. How significant was God’s promised provision for Israel? Why was the manna given? What was unique about the way it was provided? Did Israel follow the instructions of Moses? – (Exo.16:9-21)
The Lord clearly stated to Israel that the miraculous provision in the wilderness was coming from Him. He then appeared in the glory cloud before Israel Exo.16:10). He told Moses – At twilight you shall eat meat, and in the morning, you shall be filled with bread; and you shall know that I am the Lord your God (Exo.16:12). That evening – quails came up and covered the camp (Exo.16:13). In the morning – on the surface of the wilderness there was a fine flake-like thing, fine as the frost on the ground (Exo.16:14). They were told to gather enough for each person in their tents and – he who had gathered much had no excess, and he who had gathered little had no lack; every man gathered as much as he should eat (Exo.16:18). They were commanded not to leave any until the next morning – But they did not listen to Moses, and some left part of it until morning, and it bred worms and became foul; and Moses was angry with them (Exo.16:20). The sun would melt the manna when it became hot.
Q.3. How did God provide food for the Sabbath? What was manna? Why was some manna kept for future generations? How long did Israel eat manna? – (Exo.16:22-36 c.f. Josh.5:10-12; Heb.9:4)
Israel was instructed to gather a double portion of manna on the sixth day, before the Sabbath. Enough could then be baked or boiled and preserved for the Sabbath (Exo.16:22-24). Some people disregarded the command and tried to gather manna on the Sabbath, but there was none. God was displeased and reminded the people – 29 See, the Lord has given you the sabbath; Therefore, He gives you bread for two days on the sixth day. Remain every man in his place; let no man go out of his place on the seventh day.” 30 So the people rested on the seventh day (Exo.16:29-30). Israel called it ‘manna’ and – it was like coriander seed, white, and its taste was like wafers with honey (Exo.16:31 c.f. Exo.16:15). The provision of manna and quail to feed millions of Israelites in the wilderness for forty years was one of the great miracles in the history of mankind (Exo.16:32). God wanted this to be remembered in future generations, and commanded Moses – 32 ‘Let an omer full of it be kept throughout your generations, that they may see the bread that I fed you in the wilderness, when I brought you out of the land of Egypt.’ … 34 As the Lord commanded Moses, so Aaron placed it in the ark before the Testimony, to be kept (Exo.16:32 & 34 c.f. Heb.9:4). Israel ate manna for forty years, until they entered the Promised Land (Exo.16:35 c.f. Josh.5:10-12).