Exodus 16:1-36 is about God’s provision of manna to the Israelites in the wilderness, highlighting the importance of trusting in God’s faithfulness and provision even in times of scarcity and uncertainty.
1 They set out from Elim, and all the congregation of the people of Israel came to the wilderness of Sin, which is between Elim and Sinai, on the fifteenth day of the second month after they had departed from the land of Egypt.
2 And the whole congregation of the people of Israel grumbled against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness,
3 and the people of Israel said to them, “Would that we had died by the hand of the Lord in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the meat pots and ate bread to the full, for you have brought us out into this wilderness to kill this whole assembly with hunger.”
4 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Behold, I am about to 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 they will walk in my law or not.
5 On the sixth day they shall prepare what they bring in, and it will be twice as much as they gather daily.”
6 So Moses and Aaron said to all the people of Israel, “At evening you shall know that it was the Lord who brought you out of the land of Egypt,
7 and in the morning you shall see the glory of the Lord, because he has heard your grumbling against the Lord. For what are we, that you grumble against us?”
8 And Moses said, “When the Lord gives you in the evening meat to eat and in the morning bread to the full, because the Lord has heard your grumbling that you grumble against him—what are we? Your grumbling is not against us but against the Lord.”
9 Then Moses said to Aaron, “Say to the whole congregation of the people of Israel, ‘Come near before the Lord, for he has heard your grumbling.’”
10 And as soon as Aaron spoke to the whole congregation of the people of Israel, they looked toward the wilderness, and behold, the glory of the Lord appeared in the cloud.
11 The Lord spoke to Moses, saying,
12 “I have heard the grumbling of the people of Israel. Say to them, ‘At twilight you shall eat meat, and in the morning you shall be filled with bread. Then you shall know that I am the Lord your God.’”
13 In the evening quail came up and covered the camp, and in the morning dew lay around the camp.
14 And when the dew had gone up, there was on the face of the wilderness a fine, flake-like thing, fine as frost on the ground.
15 When the people of Israel saw it, they said to one another, “What is it?” for they did not know what it was. And Moses said to them, “It is the bread that the Lord has given you to eat.
16 This is what the Lord has commanded: ‘Gather of it, each one of you, as much as he can eat. You shall each take an omer, according to the number of the persons that each of you has in his tent.’”
17 The people of Israel did so. They gathered, some more, some less.
18 But when they measured it with an omer, whoever gathered much had nothing left over, and whoever gathered little had no lack. Each of them gathered as much as he could eat.
19 And Moses said to them, “Let no one leave any of it over till the morning.”
20 But they did not listen to Moses. Some left part of it till the morning, and it bred worms and stank. And Moses was angry with them.
21 Morning by morning they gathered it, each as much as he could eat; but when the sun grew hot, it melted.
22 On the sixth day they gathered twice as much bread, two omers each. And when all the leaders of the congregation came and told Moses.
23 he said to them, “This is what the Lord has commanded: ‘Tomorrow is a day of solemn rest, a holy Sabbath to the Lord; bake what you will bake and boil what you will boil, and all that is left over lay aside to be kept till the morning.’”
24 So they laid it aside till the morning, as Moses commanded them, and it did not stink, and there were no worms in it.
25 And Moses said, “Eat it today, for today is a Sabbath to the Lord; today you will not find it in the field.
26 Six days you shall gather it, but on the seventh day, which is a Sabbath, there will be none.
27 On the seventh day some of the people went out to gather, but they found none.
28 And the Lord said to Moses, “How long will you refuse to keep my commandments and my laws?
29 See! The Lord has given you the Sabbath; therefore on the sixth day he gives you bread for two days. Remain each of you in his place; let no one go out of his place on the seventh day.”
30 So the people rested on the seventh day.
31 Now the house of Israel called its name manna. It was like coriander seed, white, and the taste of it was like wafers made with honey.
32 Moses said, “This is what the Lord has commanded: ‘Let an omer of it be kept throughout your generations, so that they may see the bread with which I fed you in the wilderness, when I brought you out of the land of Egypt.’”
33 And Moses said to Aaron, “Take a jar, and put an omer of manna in it, and place it before the Lord to be kept throughout your generations.”
34 As the Lord commanded Moses, so Aaron placed it before the testimony to be kept.
35 The people of Israel ate the manna forty years, till they came to a habitable land. They ate the manna till they came to the border of the land of Canaan.
36 (Now an omer is the tenth part of an ephah.)
Setting the Scene for Exodus 16:1-36
In Exodus 16, the scene is set in the wilderness shortly after the Israelites have been freed from slavery in Egypt. The Israelites, led by Moses and Aaron, have been journeying through the desert and are beginning to grumble about the lack of food and provisions. They are tired, hungry, and uncertain about their future. The vast desert stretches out before them, with its harsh terrain and scorching sun, creating a sense of desolation and desperation among the people.
As the Israelites gather around Moses and Aaron, their frustration and fear are palpable. They question why they were brought out of Egypt only to face starvation in the wilderness. Moses, in turn, appeals to God on behalf of the people, who then promises to provide for them. Suddenly, the scene shifts as quails descend upon the camp in the evening, and in the morning, a mysterious substance called manna covers the ground like frost, providing nourishment for the hungry Israelites.
The atmosphere is one of awe and wonder as the Israelites witness this miraculous provision from God. The scene serves as a powerful reminder of God’s faithfulness and provision, even in the midst of uncertainty and hardship, and sets the stage for the Israelites to learn to trust in God’s promises as they continue their journey through the wilderness.
What is Exodus 16:1-36 about?
A powerful lesson about trust, obedience, and faith is seen in this verse. The Israelites, on their journey through the wilderness, were completely reliant on God for their sustenance. He provided them with manna, a miraculous bread-like substance, every day. But this provision was not just about meeting their physical needs; it was a test of their obedience and faith in God. Would they trust that God would continue to provide for them each day, or would they doubt and try to take matters into their own hands? We can ask ourselves as we reflect on this verse: Do we trust in God’s provision for us, even when we can’t see the way forward? Are we obedient to His commands, even when they seem difficult or challenging? This story reminds us that God is faithful to His promises, and He asks us to trust Him completely. We are called to trust in God’s daily provision for our lives, knowing that He will never leave us or forsake us, just as the Israelites learned to rely on God’s daily provision of manna.
Understanding what Exodus 16:1-36 really means
In Exodus 16, we find the Israelites at a pivotal moment in their journey, transitioning from a place of rest to a period of testing in the Desert of Sin. This shift symbolizes the challenges we often face when moving from comfort to uncertainty. Just as the Israelites grumbled against Moses and Aaron in their hunger, we too can find ourselves doubting God’s provision in times of hardship. The human tendency to complain when faced with difficulties is a universal struggle that this passage brings to light.
God’s response to the Israelites’ grumbling is both merciful and instructive. He promises to rain down bread from heaven, a miraculous provision that speaks to His care and faithfulness. The command to gather enough manna for each day teaches us the importance of relying on God daily, rather than succumbing to worry or hoarding out of fear for the future. This daily reliance on God is a lesson in trust and dependence that resonates with us today.
The significance of manna goes beyond mere sustenance; it is a tangible symbol of God’s miraculous provision. Just as the Israelites called the bread manna, we are reminded of the importance of recognizing and being grateful for the gifts God bestows upon us. This gratitude and trust in God’s faithfulness are central themes that echo throughout the Bible, emphasizing the need for us to acknowledge His hand in our lives.
The parallels between the manna in the wilderness and our daily bread are evident in other biblical passages. In Matthew 6:11, Jesus teaches us to pray for our daily bread, reinforcing the idea of relying on God for our needs. John 6:31-35 further connects the manna to Jesus as the “bread of life,” highlighting His role as our spiritual sustenance. Philippians 4:19 assures us of God’s provision, echoing the theme of trust and reliance on Him.
Today, as we navigate a world that often glorifies self-sufficiency, the story of manna serves as a poignant reminder of our dependence on God. It challenges us to be grateful for our daily provisions and to trust in His faithfulness, even in the midst of uncertainty. Additionally, it underscores the importance of community and leadership, emphasizing the role of leaders in guiding and the community’s responsibility to trust and follow.
In closing, the narrative of manna in the wilderness is a testament to God’s unwavering faithfulness and provision for His people. Whether we are facing physical, emotional, or spiritual needs, we can take comfort in knowing that God meets us where we are and provides for us abundantly. Just as the Israelites learned to trust God daily for their sustenance, may we too learn to rely on His provision and recognize His hand in our lives, finding peace in His unending care and love.
How can we trust God to provide for us?
God provides manna for the Israelites in the wilderness in Exodus 16 to demonstrate His faithfulness and provision. This act showcases God’s commitment to fulfilling His promises and meeting the needs of His people. We can trust that God will provide for us in our times of need by observing this story. God will sustain us with His provision according to His perfect timing and plan, just as He sustained the Israelites with manna.
Furthermore, the account in Exodus 16 serves as a reminder that our trust in God’s provision should not waver in the face of uncertainty or challenges. Even when circumstances seem dire or resources appear scarce, we can hold onto the truth that God is the ultimate provider who will never abandon His children. Therefore, by looking to the example of the manna in the wilderness, we can cultivate a deeper sense of trust in God’s ability to meet our needs abundantly and faithfully.
Application
Just as a dedicated employee counts on their paycheck at the end of the month, let us rely on God’s provision as surely as the sun rises each day. In the hustle and bustle of modern life, let us remember that just as a loving parent provides for their children, God will provide for us. Let us banish doubt and complaints, and embrace faith and gratitude for all that is given to us. Will you take a leap of faith and trust in God’s unwavering care for you today?
Reverend Ogunlade is a seasoned Church Minister with over three decades of experience in guiding and nurturing congregations. With profound wisdom and a serene approach, Reverend Ogunlade has carried out various pastoral duties, including delivering uplifting sermons, conducting religious ceremonies, and offering sage counsel to individuals seeking spiritual guidance. Their commitment to fostering harmony and righteousness within their community is exemplified through their compassionate nature, making them a beloved and trusted figure among the congregation.