READ: Ex. 16:4–21:… And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, ‘I have heard the complaints of the children of Israel. Speak to them, saying, “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.”
This Scripture passage once again reveals how much patience the LORD has with His people. Despite their ungrateful grumbling, He still provides what is necessary throughout the entire wilderness journey. Like a caring Father, He supplies their daily sustenance: quail in the evening and manna in the morning. From the manna, they could bake bread.
Both the birds and the manna fell from heaven in the exact location where Israel was encamped. This made it clear that it was the LORD Himself, in His goodness, who gave it to them. Therefore, they should glorify Him for it.
The LORD particularly emphasizes this by appearing to His people in the cloud with His radiant glory when they stand before Him and He announces His undeserved blessings through Moses (vv.9–10).
What stands out is how well the LORD takes care of every individual: no one goes without! When the Israelites gather manna, some take more — sometimes much more — than others. But once home, when they measure it using a fixed unit (a gomer, estimated between 2 and 4.5 liters), they all end up with the same amount. Each household member has enough for the day. No one has too much; no one too little. They are also to learn to ask the LORD each day for their food, trusting He will provide.
Therefore, the LORD forbids them from keeping leftovers for the next day. When they do so anyway, the stored food rots. Moses reproaches them strongly (v.20). They must learn to expect everything from the LORD’s hand in trust and thankfulness, knowing that He will give them what they need to serve Him. The Lord Jesus also taught us this in the Sermon on the Mount (Matt. 6:25ff).
What does this teach us about how to live with one another in the church? (See 2 Cor. 8:13–15)
Sing: Ps. 78:9-11